I love and miss my dad
My father passed away 10 days ago, June 20, 2013, about 2 months after my Tito Boy passed. Here is the story i posted on facebook:
while I have a quiet moment, I'm going to sit down at my father's desk that he made in our sala, because it was most convenient for him to work on this computer out here. so i'll share my story.
I work at the Disney Store in my local mall, and for the past 3 months it's been closed for remodeling to the newest Imagination Park layout. I was spending my time working at another nearby store, and it had my father confused as to where I was actually working. I explained to him about the remodel, and that the construction was finished. So, this past weekend I've been going back with the rest of the cast to set everything up to re-open. On Saturday, my father even texted me saying that he and my mom were in the mall shopping and decided to stop outside the store that was covered in black tarps. I explained to him that we weren't finished and that he'll see the amazing new store next Saturday the 22nd for the grand opening. Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be there!
So on Sunday, Father's Day, I was hard at work for most of the day, but left early to attend the 5pm Filipino Mass which was followed by a Father's Day Cookout in the church parking lot. It was a nice Sunday celebration, dad seemed to have fun. But then I hear him call my mother complaining about numbness in his left arm, then his left leg. Seconds later, he started yelling "stroke! stroke!" My mother called 911 and the ambulance took us to Clara Maass Hospital just blocks away. He had a hemorrhagic stroke, and he was intubated and had a CT scan right away.
Monday he was transferred to the ICU, where he used to work as an RN. Still in critical condition, unresponsive.
Tuesday was scheduled for more CT scans and an EEG. CT scan showed significant damage to the brain, with no control to vital organs. We were to meet with the doctor the following day for the EEG results.
Wednesday, the doctor said that the the EEG showed no brain activity. Mom was very upset with the decision she needed to make, because she and dad didn't really discuss it much. Finally, she decided that it would be best to make him as comfortable as possible and let God do His work.
This morning, Thursday June 20th, 2013, we all, Joseph, Jason, my mom, and I, went to say our final good byes. A lot of friends in the hospital were very helpful and comforting, ensuring that my mother was making an educated decision. We each took the time to talk to daddy one last time. And slowly working up the courage to take him off the respirator and start a morphine drip. The hospital chaplain Father Jack came to the room for blessings and comfort. My mother had to ask "Is the church against what I am about to do?" to which he responded "no, not at all. God provided the medicine to work for us, and the medicine had the obligation to inform us that there was nothing else to do other than God's will. In fact, to keep him like this is unnatural." Which is exactly what my mother needed to hear. The nurse then knocked on the door and said that she just needed to clean up my dad and assess him for the hour or whatever and asked us to leave the room. 5 minutes later, we go back inside, and daddy feels cold and the monitors show flat lines. He went on his own.
It was a bittersweet moment. As sad as we were to see him go, we were also happy that we did not have to push him. He went on his own.
The wake was Friday night, and then the funeral was Saturday morning. Both days filled with plenty of people paying last respects, extending condolences, and praying for my dad, my mom, and the rest of the family. We also had the 9 day Novena that my aunt was so generous to host at her house, and on the 9th day it was held at the church and followed by a mass and fellowship, again with many friends and family celebrating my dad's life. I've been OK, just taking it one day at a time. I miss him so much. But I hope he is enjoying his new life with the rest of the family that we miss too!
while I have a quiet moment, I'm going to sit down at my father's desk that he made in our sala, because it was most convenient for him to work on this computer out here. so i'll share my story.
I work at the Disney Store in my local mall, and for the past 3 months it's been closed for remodeling to the newest Imagination Park layout. I was spending my time working at another nearby store, and it had my father confused as to where I was actually working. I explained to him about the remodel, and that the construction was finished. So, this past weekend I've been going back with the rest of the cast to set everything up to re-open. On Saturday, my father even texted me saying that he and my mom were in the mall shopping and decided to stop outside the store that was covered in black tarps. I explained to him that we weren't finished and that he'll see the amazing new store next Saturday the 22nd for the grand opening. Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be there!
So on Sunday, Father's Day, I was hard at work for most of the day, but left early to attend the 5pm Filipino Mass which was followed by a Father's Day Cookout in the church parking lot. It was a nice Sunday celebration, dad seemed to have fun. But then I hear him call my mother complaining about numbness in his left arm, then his left leg. Seconds later, he started yelling "stroke! stroke!" My mother called 911 and the ambulance took us to Clara Maass Hospital just blocks away. He had a hemorrhagic stroke, and he was intubated and had a CT scan right away.
Monday he was transferred to the ICU, where he used to work as an RN. Still in critical condition, unresponsive.
Tuesday was scheduled for more CT scans and an EEG. CT scan showed significant damage to the brain, with no control to vital organs. We were to meet with the doctor the following day for the EEG results.
Wednesday, the doctor said that the the EEG showed no brain activity. Mom was very upset with the decision she needed to make, because she and dad didn't really discuss it much. Finally, she decided that it would be best to make him as comfortable as possible and let God do His work.
This morning, Thursday June 20th, 2013, we all, Joseph, Jason, my mom, and I, went to say our final good byes. A lot of friends in the hospital were very helpful and comforting, ensuring that my mother was making an educated decision. We each took the time to talk to daddy one last time. And slowly working up the courage to take him off the respirator and start a morphine drip. The hospital chaplain Father Jack came to the room for blessings and comfort. My mother had to ask "Is the church against what I am about to do?" to which he responded "no, not at all. God provided the medicine to work for us, and the medicine had the obligation to inform us that there was nothing else to do other than God's will. In fact, to keep him like this is unnatural." Which is exactly what my mother needed to hear. The nurse then knocked on the door and said that she just needed to clean up my dad and assess him for the hour or whatever and asked us to leave the room. 5 minutes later, we go back inside, and daddy feels cold and the monitors show flat lines. He went on his own.
It was a bittersweet moment. As sad as we were to see him go, we were also happy that we did not have to push him. He went on his own.
The wake was Friday night, and then the funeral was Saturday morning. Both days filled with plenty of people paying last respects, extending condolences, and praying for my dad, my mom, and the rest of the family. We also had the 9 day Novena that my aunt was so generous to host at her house, and on the 9th day it was held at the church and followed by a mass and fellowship, again with many friends and family celebrating my dad's life. I've been OK, just taking it one day at a time. I miss him so much. But I hope he is enjoying his new life with the rest of the family that we miss too!