my father's death

[Yva Minstrel]

One of the contributing factors to his death was that my dad was 70, and since he was 15 was a heavy smoker. At his height my dad's habit was three packs of Camels a day. He was also an alchoholic, which accelerated the deterioration of his kidneys.

Yes, I definitely know where you're coming from, Brian. My father was also a heavy smoker and an alcoholic, but we found our peace before he took ill and passed on in 1991, so yes, I know about the issues of forgiveness with alcoholism and the role of family. In fact, as I was reading your posting, I realized that I could have composed the very same things.

At any rate, my thoughts are still with you. Take care and thanks for letting us know how you're doing. It's a difficult time right now, so it's appreciated that you are checking in here at the forum.

Take care.

 

[wwfpooh]

Take care and thanks for letting us know how you're doing. It's a difficult time right now, so it's appreciated that you are checking in here at the forum.

Indeed. It's highly appreciated & don't forget that we're always here if you need somebody to talk to.

 

[muppet baby]

This morning my father died, after spending the last week in intensive care. His kidneys shut down and complications set in.
I will miss him dearly, but I am relieved he does not have to suffer any more. God called him home.

Please pray for my mom, for the strength to help her cope.
RIP Jack Gallagher- November 16, 1937- September 11, 2008.

Thanks for all you've done Dad.
Peace- Brian

Brian i am so sorry to hear about your dad i will be praying for you and your family and yes he is at peace now with God and heaven is a wonderful place God does tell us that .
full of peace and no pain .

God bless you and your family you and your family are in my prayers .

 

[muppet baby]

Thank you everybody for your thoughts and prayers. My father is definitely in a better place now.

One of the contributing factors to his death was that my dad was 70, and since he was 15 was a heavy smoker. At his height my dad's habit was three packs of Camels a day. He was also an alchoholic, which accelerated the deterioration of his kidneys.

He was also very stubborn and refused to ever see a doctor (I have three nurses in my family and he wouldn't listen to any of them) until it was too late. The smoking resulted in poor blood circulation, and he was losing function of his legs and infection was setting in (if he lived, both legs would have been amputated)

So it was one thing after another, and when his kidneys shut down, his lungs were filling up with fluid. Plus, kidneys flush out all the toxins in your body, and when they can't do that, it's kind of like dumping toxic waste into the ocean.

So Wednesday night the doctors told my family there was nothing else they could do, it would just be a matter of time.
They unhooked him from his ventilator, and his heart and brain managed to keep going for twelve hours until they finally gave out. Because of God's mercy, my dad was in no more pain.

My dad had a beautiful send-off. So many friends, neighbors, co-workers came to the wake and the funeral.

The hardest part for me was being one of the pallbearers and carrying his casket out of the church and planting him in the ground.


I mentioned my dad was an alchoholic, which caused quite a few problems for my family over the years. There was a time I was very angry and bitter towards him, and actually hated him (I really didn't hate him, but I hated what his habit was doing to him). Earlier this year, I was able to forgive him, and let my anger go. I am so lucky to reconcile with him while he was still alive. I would have hated for him to die without telling him I loved him.

If I can impart any words of wisdom for anybody reading this-
tell the people you are close to how much you love them.
Try to forgive others when they hurt you. Don't stay angry or hold grudges. We are only on this earth for a flicker, and then we're gone. Don't waste your time while you're here. Treat every day like it's your last, because one day it will be.

Again, thank you one and all for your sympathy and condolences.
My family and I will be all right, but most importantly, so will my dad.

Peace and God's Grace
Brian the Fuzzy One

oh you are so right brian about forgiving those that have hurt you and living each day like it was your last .

that is so true , thank you for leting us know how you are doing and telling us those beutiful words because they are so true .