Update...

[Eddy Matthews]

Hi all,

I haven't made this public knowledge until now, but I've just got back from the hospital (it's now just gone 1am in the morning), and I've been there since about 6pm yesterday...

Some of you will know that my Dad has been in hospital for over 6 weeks now, the whole story is very long, so I won't bore you with all the details - He was admitted with gangrene in his right foot....  They hoped to save the top part of his leg by doing a bypass operation, but then he had some problems with his bowel which postponed things....

On wednesday evening he suffered a heart attack, and when I visited him yesterday he definately didn't look very good - I had a word with the staff to express my concerns as half the time he was talking gibberish.

This evening I got a phonecall from my elder brother, and Dad has gone downhill fast. Apparently there is now a major problem with his bowel... My brother was unsure exactly what the problem was, but it's so severe that Dad isn't expected to last very much longer. The doctors say that his heart and kidney function is so bad that this extra complication means they won't attempt to ressussitate (sp?) him if he has another heart attack. It's expected that he only has a few days (perhaps only hours) left.

I'm afraid that we're now just waiting for that "dreaded" phonecall from the hospital. Sadly Dad doesn't really know that we're around, so it's very difficult seeing him like that - Please bear with me if I'm not around and don't repsond to emails for a while. I'm finding this a little difficult to cope with right now, and more than a few tears have been shed...

[Dinosaursoupman]

Hello Eddy,
I'm very sorry to hear of your sad news. Having a father myself who suffered a stroke nearly 2 years ago and is currently in a full time care facility, I too await that call. My families faith and the prayers of our friends helps us to cope with his situation. Our prayers go out to you too and your family to be able to cope with whatever the eventuality. I look forward to the time that is promised that "death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things (those things mentioned above) have passed away." Revelation 21:3-4
Randy the Dinosaur Soup Man

[Red_Hamish]

As always Eddy our families' thoughts and wishes are with you and yours. Take care of the rest of the mob, remember they need you too. Stressfull and sad though it is the outcome in the circumstances is for the better my friend.

Yours aye

Jim

[bogstandard]

Eddy,

As like everyone else, my deepest thoughts and best wishes are with you in your troubled times.

I am sure the other admin members can look after this great site for you, until you feel up to returning to your normal self.

John

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's....Eddy...as we spoke last week [& with respect] from .........22,000 miles away over the water..........Derek

[clifforddward]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Eddy...this chapter of life is one most of us have to deal with as our parents age...I myself went through the same painful period with my father a few years ago so I understand a bit about your feelings at this time.  Concentrate on your family matters at hand, and we'll all be here to support you on the other side of things.

Regards,
Cliff

[steamboatmodel]

Eddy take care of yourself and your fammily, Our prayers and thoughts will be with you
Regards,
Gerald

[Eddy Matthews]

Thankyou one and all for all the very kind words...... I know there's little that can be said in circumstances such as these, so every little bit of encouragement helps...

My Dad is stlll hanging in there.... I went to see him this morning and again the evening. Sadly he isn't really aware that any of us are there, and this morning he was crying which set me off too, so I had to leave.

I did manage to get a word with one of the doctors who is caring for him - He couldn't have been nicer.....  He took the time to talk with me in private, and was in no hurry to get away. He answered all of my questions in simple easy to understand terms.

What basically transpires is that they suspect my Dad has a perforated bowel - He would certainly never survive the surgery needed to repair it with his heart and kidney condition, nevermind the further surgery that would then be needed to amputate his leg. Dad is vomiting dried blood, which means he cannot eat or drink as he just brings it straight back. SO they have him on what they term "End of life care". This means that all his normal medication has been stopped and they are only giving him pain killers and medication that actually ease his suffering. Apparantly he also suffered another heart attack on friday which I didn't know about until today.

I can only hope that Dad passes away quickly and quietly in his sleep - I would hate for this to drag on and on. But there are no definative answers to when this may happen. It may be hours, or it may be weeks....

When that final time comes I'll let you know. In the meantime, thankyou once again for everyone who took the time to reply to this difficult thread, and also to those that PM'd me or emailed me privately.

[Eddy Matthews]

I'm sorry to have to tell you all that my Dad died at 5:50am this morning.....
 
There's not much more I can say at this time, other than to thank you all for your support over the last few weeks.
 
Rest in peace Dad.
 
Eddy



P.S. I may not be around much for a few days, please bear with me at this time...

[Hank]

Eddy,

Sorry to be so late in responding. I have been out of the loop for a while, recovering from invasive radiation treatments for cancer so I am just reading this for the first time. 

I am very sorry to hear of your loss of your Dad.  That is a very hard one to deal with.  Forget about his pain and suffering.  They are all gone now.  Remembering those things will only bring suffering and pain to you and those around you. Remember the good times. They will bring you joy.  Even though it has been over ten years since I lost my Dad I think of him quite often.

Bill Hudson

I'm sorry to have to tell you all that my Dad died at 5:50am this morning.....
 
There's not much more I can say at this time, other than to thank you all for your support over the last few weeks.
 
Rest in peace Dad.
 
Eddy



P.S. I may not be around much for a few days, please bear with me at this time...

[Eddy Matthews]

Thanks Bill, your kind words are appreciated.....

Things are improving slowly, my Dads funeral is arranged for next wednesday (16th April), and I've got most things sorted with his finances etc. Just his house to clear and hand back to the local council....

I never once thought that Dads death would be so hard to deal with, so that has surprised me, but he's at peace now which is all that matters.

My sincere thanks to everyone who wrote to me, either here, or via email etc. And especially to two VERY good friends, Bob Golder and John Gavey - Who both sat and listened while I poured my heart out when I was really down. I'll never forget that!