- Joined
- Dec 3, 2000
- Messages
- 4,347
Edith, Dave's mother, called to let me know that her husband of 53 years, Stanley Gittelman, David's father, died yesterday morning, March 26th.
Stanley had been under hospice care for the past several months. He was originally diagnosed a few years ago with Parkinson's Disease, and was recently re-diagosed with Lewy Body Parkinson's Disease and his condition was terminal.
Edith had sufficient time to prepare and make arrangements for Stanley's death, unlike the unexpected and early death of Dave. Stanley's body is being flown to New York City, where a private burial service will be held this coming Sunday in the Gittelman Family plot.
The morning Stanley died, Edith was holding him in her arms and thanked him for everything he had done for her. She told him, "My life started when I met you." She proceded to tell Stanley about all of the things he had done for her and with her. Stanley's pulse got slower and slower and he finally took his last breath. His sister and 3 nieces were also present when he died.
Edith is actually doing quite well, considering everything she has been through over the past several years. Last month she had her pacemaker replaced, which has increased her energy level tremendously and she has even begun going to the gym in the apartment complex where she lives.
She is a survivor, and she knows the most difficult time is yet to come, when she returns to her apartment here in Southern California after Stanley is buried, and she is alone. She will continue to live in the apartment and stay in the area as Stanley's sister and daughters are her family now.
Email me if you would like Edith's address to send a sympathy/condolence card:
totallyjudy@yahoo.com
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Some info about Lewy Body and Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a slowly progressive disorder that affects movement, muscle control, and balance. Parkinson's disease is referred to as idiopathic, which means that the cause is unknown. This term distinguishes the primary disease from parkinsonism, which are the symptoms occurring from a known cause. In addition to its effects on motor control, Parkinson's disease is now recognized as a broader condition that can include cognitive and behavioral disturbances, sleep disorders, speech difficulties, and other problems.
Lewy Bodies. The fibrous deposits known as Lewy bodies are the hallmark signs of Parkinson's disease. They are found in the substantia nigra, the place in the brain where dopamine is first released. It is not clear whether Lewy bodies are the major killers of the nerve cells or whether they are simply a byproduct of the degenerative process. They are found not only in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease but, in rare cases, may show up in cells in other parts of the body (the heart, intestine), causing severe disabling symptoms. These substances are also present in other diseases that cause dementia, such as Alzheimer's, and can occur in people without neurologic symptoms.
Stanley had been under hospice care for the past several months. He was originally diagnosed a few years ago with Parkinson's Disease, and was recently re-diagosed with Lewy Body Parkinson's Disease and his condition was terminal.
Edith had sufficient time to prepare and make arrangements for Stanley's death, unlike the unexpected and early death of Dave. Stanley's body is being flown to New York City, where a private burial service will be held this coming Sunday in the Gittelman Family plot.
The morning Stanley died, Edith was holding him in her arms and thanked him for everything he had done for her. She told him, "My life started when I met you." She proceded to tell Stanley about all of the things he had done for her and with her. Stanley's pulse got slower and slower and he finally took his last breath. His sister and 3 nieces were also present when he died.
Edith is actually doing quite well, considering everything she has been through over the past several years. Last month she had her pacemaker replaced, which has increased her energy level tremendously and she has even begun going to the gym in the apartment complex where she lives.
She is a survivor, and she knows the most difficult time is yet to come, when she returns to her apartment here in Southern California after Stanley is buried, and she is alone. She will continue to live in the apartment and stay in the area as Stanley's sister and daughters are her family now.
Email me if you would like Edith's address to send a sympathy/condolence card:
totallyjudy@yahoo.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some info about Lewy Body and Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a slowly progressive disorder that affects movement, muscle control, and balance. Parkinson's disease is referred to as idiopathic, which means that the cause is unknown. This term distinguishes the primary disease from parkinsonism, which are the symptoms occurring from a known cause. In addition to its effects on motor control, Parkinson's disease is now recognized as a broader condition that can include cognitive and behavioral disturbances, sleep disorders, speech difficulties, and other problems.
Lewy Bodies. The fibrous deposits known as Lewy bodies are the hallmark signs of Parkinson's disease. They are found in the substantia nigra, the place in the brain where dopamine is first released. It is not clear whether Lewy bodies are the major killers of the nerve cells or whether they are simply a byproduct of the degenerative process. They are found not only in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease but, in rare cases, may show up in cells in other parts of the body (the heart, intestine), causing severe disabling symptoms. These substances are also present in other diseases that cause dementia, such as Alzheimer's, and can occur in people without neurologic symptoms.
