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One of my good friends just died; and my stepfather is close to it
Topic Started: Dec 18 2006, 10:06 AM (982 Views)
Larry
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Mmmmmmm, pie!
I haven't mentioned my stepfather's illness, why I do not know. But he is dying. He's 79, a diabetic, seriously overweight, and he has for most of his life absolutely refused to do what the doctors told him he needed to do. He's been a near invalid for the last several years, my mother being his nursemaid the whole time.

He spent about a week in the hospital back in October with pneumonia. About 6 weeks ago he had to be taken to the hospital again. He wasn't making new red blood cells they said, and he needed a transfusion. They say he has congestive heart failure, his heart is "working at about 30%", and that his kidneys are only working at about 20%. At first they were talking about dialysis. The last 2 weeks they haven't mentioned that - I am assuming because they don't think he'll be around long enough to need it.

My Mother is a very special lady to me. She has devoted most of her life to helping others. She has been there, by his side, 24/7 through the whole stay, sleeping in a chair by his bed. It is taking a toll on her. She's 75 herself, and though she's in pretty good health and quite active, she still isn't young enough to handle this kind of stress and work.

But I mention this because of another bit of news I just learned, and I must talk about it, even if it's to a computer screen. I just learned that a dear friend of mine has died. This man once saved my mother's life, having been the first to arrive on the scene after a kid ran a stop sign and smashed into my mother's car. He literally saved her life. She was pinned in, and he took his bare hands and pulled on the part of the car holding her in until he moved it enough to get her out. He then pressed on her head wound to stop the bleeding until the ambulance arrived. Then he went to the hospital and stayed with both her and my stepdad until I could arrive from Atlanta, which was the next day (I was out of town and didn't even know about it until the next day).

Haskell apparently went to the hospital complaining about some pain, they admitted him, and he died. Right now I don't know what he died from. All I know is just last Wednesday the two of us spent about an hour sitting in his son's little shop, enjoying each other's company over a cup of coffee. He seemed perfectly fine.

I will miss my friend. He was a unique and special man.
Of the Pokatwat Tribe

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Frank_W
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Resident Misanthrope
Larry, I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend, and for your stepfather's illness. What tough things to deal with, especially during the holidays. My condolences and best wishes for strength and peace during this time.

The following was read at my grandfather's memorial. I pass it along to you.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain.
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am the morning hush.
I am the graceful rush
of beautiful birds in circling flight.
I am the star shine of the night.
I am the flowers that bloom.
I am in a quiet room.
I am the birds that sing.
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

-Mary E. Frye
Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin."
Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!"
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DivaDeb
HOLY CARP!!!
I'm so sorry Larry

:hug:

love ya
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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
:(

So sorry to hear about your loss Larry.

My thoughts and empathy are with you.

___.___
(_]===*
o 0
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
:hug:
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pianojerome
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HOLY CARP!!!
I wish you all the best, Larry.
Sam
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George K
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Finally
Larry, I'm at a loss as to what to say. :hug:
Here for you, buddy....
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Jane D'Oh
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Fulla-Carp
Larry, I'm very sorry that you have lost a friend, and wish you all the best over the next few weeks and months as you support your mother and step father.

I don't think that you are talking to a computer screen, I think you are talking to friends.
Pfft.
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LWpianistin
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HOLY CARP!!!
Jane D'Oh
Dec 18 2006, 02:13 PM


I don't think that you are talking to a computer screen, I think you are talking to friends.

:yes:

I'm sorry.

:hug:
And how are you today?
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Sorry about your friend, and your family situation.

Your post really hit home for me today. Janet called me shortly after she left, saying she had called her parents and her Dad said 'I have to hang up, your mother's in the ditch!'. Janet had no idea whether that meant she had collapsed, or was cleaning out leaves, or what, but said she heard fear in her father's voice.

Turns out she was fine, but they live on a highway and she was hit while turning into their driveway, knocking their van into the ditch.

It did not have to turn out so well. Kiss your loved ones today.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Steve Cohen
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Junior Carp
I'm sorry for your losses and the losses to come.

"I wouldn't mind paying taxes if I knew they were going to a friendly country!" - Dick Gregory


Dealer Principal and Industry Consultant
Jasons Music Centers - Family Owned
Since 1937 - Serving Maryland/DC
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LWpianistin
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HOLY CARP!!!
Mikhailoh
Dec 18 2006, 02:19 PM
Kiss your loved ones today.

Everyone should do that everyday, or as often as they can.

I'll be sure to do that when I visit my granddad today. Sadly, he might not make it to Christmas.
And how are you today?
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plays88keys
Pisa-Carp
The loss of a close friend is no different than the loss of a parent or sibling. I am so sorry, Larry. Hang in there and know that we are all here for you whenever you feel like unloading some of your grief.

:hug:
You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy.
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
plays88keys
Dec 18 2006, 12:28 PM
The loss of a close friend is no different than the loss of a parent or sibling. I am so sorry, Larry. Hang in there and know that we are all here for you whenever you feel like unloading some of your grief.

:hug:

:yes: :yes: :yes:
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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***musical princess***
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HOLY CARP!!!
Larry, i am so sorry.


It's hard to think that at this happy time of year, amidst all the shopping, eating, drinking and presents, that some are at deaths door. Some who know it, some who don't...

It was my mams best friends funeral on saturday. I did not attend but my father told me the church could not hold everyone that attended and they had to open the main oak doors so people could stand outside and listen to the service.


It's amazing how some people can touch so many lives.

You're friend sounds like he was a good man and i am sure he will be sorely missed by many.


We're with you Larry. However you need us.

x
x Caroline x
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
I'll add my sympathies to all of those above. I don't know what else to say, either, except you are among friends here, and that I'm really sorry for your loss.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
But Larry.. I know Caroline is 18 now.. but just because she says the's there for you... she doesn't mean THERE there.. just... there... :tsktsk:

I know how you think... testosterone never takes a holiday. :devilgrin:
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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RosemaryTwo
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HOLY CARP!!!
Larry --

I'm with you. I just found out that a friend of mine (36 years old, two little kids) has advanced cancer -- six months to live. My whole outlook has shifted. I'm quieter lately.

Rosemary
"Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua
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apple
one of the angels
sorry Larry. live is so sad sometimes.
it behooves me to behold
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***musical princess***
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HOLY CARP!!!
Mikhailoh
Dec 18 2006, 06:35 PM
But Larry.. I know Caroline is 18 now.. but just because she says the's there for you... she doesn't mean THERE there.. just... there... :tsktsk:

I know how you think... testosterone never takes a holiday. :devilgrin:

Perhaps Larry needs some 'comforting' right now... :whistle: :devilgrin:

x
x Caroline x
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The 89th Key
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Larry, I'm very sorry to hear about this. Your friends are the family members you get to choose. A sudden loss like this is surreal and can really knock the wind out of you. My prayers and sympathies are with you and yours.
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justme
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HOLY CARP!!!
Words can't express what I want to say.

Just know, I care.

God bless you, Larry. :hug:
"Men sway more towards hussies." G-D3
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sue
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HOLY CARP!!!
Larry, I'm so sorry. :hug:

I lost a friend a few weeks ago; highway accident, black ice. I keep seeing her smiley, sparkly face from the last conversation I had with her. It still doesn't seem real.

My thoughts are with you, and your mother and step-father.
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musicasacra
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HOLY CARP!!!
:hug:
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
In paradisum deducant te Angeli;
in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres,
et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem.
Chorus angelorum te suscipiat,
et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.


May angels lead you into Paradise;
may the martyrs receive you at your coming
and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem.
May a choir of angels receive you,
and with Lazarus, who once was poor, may you have eternal rest.

Prayers for you, your family, and friends.

The dogma lives loudly within me.
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