Home from Arizona to be with Dad - April 7, 1927 - March 28, 2014

Thanksgiving 2013 - Dad, Roz, and Archie

Saturday, March 22, 2014

My Dad Archie, went to the hospital with what we thought was a urinary tract infection. Several tests and many hours later we have an unwelcome result.  The diagnosis is terminal.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Dad has left the hospital and been admitted to hospice care with what we now know is kidney failure, and sepsis, most likely caused by a discovered large growth in his pelvic area, and spots on his kidneys and liver, presumed to be cancerous.  He has opted to do nothing painful, invasive, or requiring general anesthesia. Palliative, hospice care is his choice.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Dad is released from hospital late in the afternoon and goes home for his final days.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Russ and I were vacationing in Arizona with our fifth wheel when Archie called us on Saturday, got a diagnosis on Sunday, pondered our options on Monday, and ultimately enrolled Dad in hospice late Monday.

 Tuesday morning, we packed up and hit the road home.   It took us three days to reach Dad's place in Elk Grove.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

The hospital bed is in the middle of the living room, an all too familiar site.  Less than two years ago, Mom was in the same spot.  Dad has been sleeping since we got here, waking only for a few minutes to acknowledge the arrival of each of us (Russ, Me, Archie, and Abby), and to drink a few sips of water before drifting back to sleep.

His part-time caregiver is here almost 24/7 with  assistance from Hospice. Thursday night, family is here and the caregiver is taking a break.  We'll just take each day as it comes.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Dad slept through the night awakening a few times to request water.  He slept most of the day occasionally requesting water or increased oxygen, never complaining, saying please and thank you for any little thing we could do for him.  He became a little more alert shortly after five in the late afternoon and requested to to get up and sit in his chair.  Before he could transfer to the chair, his breathing slowed and stopped.  He was gone.  We are stunned and unprepared that this whole process happened so quickly.  Up until last Saturday, anytime we called him and asked how he was, he always replied, "Fantastic."  Rest in Peace Dad.  We will miss you and your wonderful sense of fun and humor, but will carry these fond memories with us forever.