Health reports for Great Uncle Frank and Uncle Bill.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
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Great Uncle Frank -- spent his 92nd birthday in bed on Feb. 2. I spoke with him via phone and he did not sound good.

He weighs 100 pounds and is now so weak he cannot stand without help. He spends 24 hours per day in bed praying for death and wonders why it will not come. His doctor has taken him off all heart medications but GUF lives on.

Remember awhile back I mentioned that I thought he was too tough for his own good. He is. This is the part I did not want to see. I never thought I would wish for my father's death but I do. Not good.

Myself -- I've been through the barrage of tests. Heart doc says my heart is good enough to survive surgery. Stress test + pix. However, he's put me on another med because ultra sound of neck shows arteries 50% blocked. One more pill. Soon I'll need a suitcase just to carry my medications.

CTscans indicate cyst is slow growing and there is no need for immediate surgery -- optional. Since I do not care much for the scalpel I oped for wait and see. Also on new meds for control of prostate enlargement. 6 months and then see if it has to get trimmed down to size.

So, it's a wait and see what breaks down first and attack that -- one thing at a time. This body of mine is like an old car with 300,000 miles. It smokes (like me), shakes and rattles (like me), sputters and pops (like me), is slow starting (like me), weaves a little going down the road (like me), and you always wonder if it will get you to the final destination (NOT like me -- final destination guaranteed.) and that's that story.
 
My 75 year old father had the surgery to roto router the arteries in his neck. He had a stroke while in the hospital. The surgeries were eventually 'successful'. He claims he would not be alive without them- thinks he would have completely stroked out by now. But it is not a decision to make lightly. He doesn't think much of doctors or hospitals. If you have the surgeries, they can extend your life.

I'm sorry for your father and trust you are making decisions you can live with. I wish there was something to do about your Dad.



munk
 
I don't have the words to say how I feel Uncle Bill. You and your dad deserve the best. I didn't think about how I would will handle the future. Oddly, you are giving me strength and courage. My prayers and thoughts are with you and GUF. :(
 
Uncle Bill,

Every now and then, I remember that we only have this moment in time. Thank you for the positive influence you have been on me and your world.

I am thankful for your father, as well. It's hell watching those we love die slowly, isn't it? I hope and pray that Great Uncle's transition will be as swift and painless as possible, and may he face the great divide with a steady eye and a peaceful heart.

Best Regards,

John

We are but dust, they say- ‘tis true
It’s true, and yet, it’s not
There’s something in this fragile shell
That time will never rot
 
Uncle Bill,

This will be my first post here in the Cantina, and I want to let you know that my prayers and best wishes are with you and Great Uncle Frank.
 
hey Bill???

I JUST saw a news clip about scientists using a lab synthesis of bat saliva to help humans with venous or arterial clogs and clots !!!

Now all we need to do is convince Mr. Jim I (Quackipuss) Clifton to send you some bats with a drool problem...that, or hungry ones.

Send pictures.:)









(My best to you, and for your Dad.)
 
"NOT like me -- final destination guaranteed"

...the Heineken brewery at Stadhouderskade Amsterdam? ;)
 
I suspect great uncle Frank is still with us because he has something to teach or something to share. When his work's done he'll have his rest, and will have earned it more than most.

Uncle, it would be easy for me to say don't let the health problems get you down, 'cause I'm not the one going through them. So, I won't say that. What I will say is you make us proud with your courage and perserverance, just please don't be too ornery to ask for or accept help when you need it.

Sarge
 
I'll second what Sylvrfalcn says.

If you need anything UB, let us know.

Prayers sent your way.
 
"Uncle" Bill,
Best wishes for you and "Great Uncle" Frank. I hope everything works out okay.
Mike
 
I suppose it's hard to understand what Great Uncle Frank is feeling and perhaps your feelings Uncle. You do have my prayers and hope. Indeed we all have a destiny. Sometimes the getting there is hard to understand. May God Bless you both.:)
 
My mom took a lot of care of my grandmother whose quality of life sucked for the last few years of her life. Now she always says to me: "Jim, I don't ever want you to go through what I did. Put me in a nursing home, or better put me on the ice flow like the primitive tribespeople"

My great aunt had the carotid artery blockage. When she would turn her head a certain way it would pinch off and she'd pass out. She had her carotid arteries scraped and continued on.
 
The leading heart surgeon at St. Johns in Springfield is following Dad's case because so he told us, "Your father should be dead and isn't. I'm following his case hoping to learn something."

We never know the real cosmic reasons behind our death day. My guru told me we die for only three reasons:
1 -- karma complete
2 -- karma imossible
3 -- our death is the karma

I can reason that Dad's lingering might in some way help a future heart patient survive. If that is the case then Dad is doing hard time to help others and he can't do more than this and gets high karma points for doing so.
 
Hollowdweller, I empathize with your great aunt. I had a nasty motorbike accident about a decade ago. Knocked my neck around something bad. Even now if I turn my head the wrong way I pinch the artery and the world starts to spin - not nice. Luckily for me I feel it happening and know to move my neck around.

And Bill, I reckon your family have rubber in their genes the way you always bounce back. I don't know what sort of genes your dad has but I sure would like some. It sounds like he is a fighter and as tough as they ever come. I haven't been on the forum for a while but heartfelt best wishes to you and your dad at this difficult time.
 
Old age is hard. My father is 81 Hes had 2 strokes & and 10ft of his guts cut out.

Couple of weeks ago, I saw him sitting & moving one step at a time, on his backside to get upstairs .

My mother said he had been doing that for over a year & I didnt even know.

Funny thing is despite are differences over the years ,I can still remember him as he was when I was a child as a Hard ex Chindit veteran with 6 years in India, Burma, Thailand, & Malaya under his belt.

Then years working as a buyer for a timber merchants all over the world.

Most of it he cant even remember anymore.

Wow, now I feel sad.

Spiral
 
My brother Fred told me Dad who is in bed 24 hours a day now thinks he is running the McDonalds again and is worried about getting it opened on time. Strange things the mind does when it goes.
 
Sorry to hear about the news on Great Uncle Frank.
Prayers sent to him and for you to stay strong...
We went through a similar situation w/ my Grandfather and
he thought he was still in the War...
Take care
 
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