Had to check Dad into hospice today

[Moneyguy1]

Death should not be something to be feared. It is pre-ordained the moment we are conceived. I have lost many dear to me, so many that there are precious few left, except for my kids and their kids. It is a difficult decision, but many times we forget that prolonging life beyond a certain point is not in the best interests of the individual.

My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

[targa911S]

My deepest thanks to you all. You make this an easier pill to swallow, but then I knew I could rely on you all for a shoulder to cry on. Thank you for being here for me.

[tabs]

I have been to the wall twice in my life. Each time I was scared and thought how could I do this. But when push came to shove I stood in there with a person as they took their last breath. A third time was last summer with my beloved dog.

In each case I made my peace with that person. The first time I saw death waiting patiently for that person to finally let go. The 2nd time the words I said released that person so that they could go.

You might say I went hand in hand with that person to the edge of life and death and only let go when God took the other hand. I didn't want that person to go alone, because I loved them so..

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

If it is any consolation:

Near the end of my Mothers life (she has struggled against cancer for over a year) my Dad called and said that I need to get home, that he wanted me there. Mom was in bad shape. I was a young Navy LT flying test at Patuxent River. I caught the first plan out of DC.

She died before my plane landed. My father met me at the airport and we both cried all the way home...my Father is a veteran of two wars, one of the only really smart, humble people I have ever known. The loss of Arden nearly shattered him.

Near the end of the ride home we made a pact...that we would celebrate her life, the good and the bad, that we would acknowledge all she meant to us, that we would welcome the memories of her life. Arden's wake was a riot of memory and laughter. We may have been hiding tears, but we were celebrating her life, not her death.

Life is fraught with peril...what my Dad and I came to grips with is that we got to know and love a remarkable woman. While I never met your Father, I think you understand the sentiment.

Seventeen years later I still miss her and think about her all the time, as you will your Father all the rest of your life. My experience is that it is better we remember, that we welcome their presense.

All the best in the coming days. May you find strength.

So sorry to hear this Targa...

Almost the same type of situation here as with SeaHawk.

Was based at Tempelhof Air Force Base in Berlin Germany. Dad had been in bad shape with bone cancer, bedridden at home for 6 months on a morphine drip. Sisters called and said "get home now." Talked my way onto a Pan Am jet heading for CONUS then got the first ticket I could to St. Louis.

Called the hospital when I landed at 10:30 pm and my sisters let him know I was home. Asked if I should head to the hospital now or see him first thing in the morning? He said "morning is fine, not going anywhere"...

He went into a coma at 04:30 that next morning, passing around 09:00.

We buried him a few days later in Iowa where he was born. On the drive back to STL we stopped in Kansas City Missouri at Stevenson's Apple Farm for a dinner of smoked chicken, one of his favorite places to eat. Drunk ourselves silly on apple cider talking about stories about him and paid for it with a credit card that my Father had given me a year ago for "one last dinner in his name" then headed home.

It gets easier with time, but not much. Remember the good times you had and what he taught you, and pass it along. That way he will always be with you and your family.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by targa911S

Dad passed over this morning at 1 a.m.

Rest in Peace big buddy.

I'm very sorry, RIP...