Hi Guys, Well, my Papa -- who was NINETY FIVE on 01 July -- has finally crossed the Rainbow Bridge. This is not a surprise as he's been pretty sick for the last month with fluid on his lungs and general total body pain. He has had a Home Health Aide (Denise) come in daily for the last several years and he told her on Sunday morning that he was feeling really poorly and didn't want to be alone at night any more. He's been under Hospice care for the last month so Denise phoned them and they transported Papa to a care facility that day. Betsy (my DSis) spoke with Papa's nurse yesterday and was told that Papa was doing quite well
-- just a bit unsteady on his feet even with his walker. He was taking his meds and eating a bit, had slept really well Sunday night and seemed to be in much better spirits now that he wasn't going to have to be alone at night. The Care Center had started Papa on a low dosage of morphine so I knew he wouldn't last more than a few weeks but none of us expected him to only last a few days!! Several weeks ago, Betsy and I made plans to go to Phoenix. She lives in Austin and works at Dillard's so she and had to give them time to do some rescheduling since this trip wasn't really an emergency at that time. We didn't both want to be there at the same time so Betsy planned to go this week and I planned to go next week. Betsy flew to Phoenix today and got to the Care Center about 1:00 PM. She immediately called my DD and had her phone me to tell me that Papa was VERY bad -- barely responding when spoken to, glazed eyes, etc. I immediately called the airlines and changed my reservations -- soonest departure being tomorrow. I phoned Betsy at the Care Center to let her know I would arrive tomorrow at about 10:15 AM and she was in tears and told me that Papa had just died! I was REALLY shocked that he went so quickly but I was even more happy that Betsy and Bet -- Papa's wife -- were with him. I have made about four emergency trips to Lizard Land over the last 5 years or so -- each time the Dr. had said that Papa wouldn't last more than a week or two. When Bet phoned about a month ago to tell me that he was in hospital and was "that sick" again, I wasn't overly concerned since Papa was a VERY stubborn old fart and had been in this position before. Of course, this time he was just enough older that he couldn't really overcome his health problems. Fortunately, I was just there and had lunch with him in mid June and DD took the SMDGD to see him on Saturday. Anyway, I'm really glad that I made sure I got the Angel sent off to Heather otherwise it would have to have waited until I return on Monday. I'll likely have to make another trip to Lizard Land if we can't get all of Papa's stuff moved out of his apartment. I REALLY hate that part
-- having to get rid of all the belongings -- VBS. He'll be cremated and we will have a Memorial Service this weekend. Ashes will be sent to me sometime next week and then I will have to make a trip to California with both his ashes and my DBs ashes to scatter them both in the ocean. So that's all for now. I obviously won't be posting, etc. until sometime next week. Say some prayers or "whatevers" for poor Bet. She and Papa have been together for about 35 years and this is the THIRD DH she has buried in her life :*-( . Off to finish packing -- CiaoMeow >^;;^<
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at