Hello and welcome back to the subdued world of the Dogpound. I had another article already written and ready to send to my Master when there was a life event that interrupted that process.
My younger brother, Kenny, passed away on March 31. He would have been 63 in July. COPD finally caught up with him. He never fully recovered from his quadruple bypass surgery that he had about two years ago. This is what I call the “curse of the Wilson’s” It seems all of the relations on my Dad’s side had complications with their heart in their early 60’s. Dad passed away shortly after turning 62. After Ken’s surgery the doctors told him that his heart would outlast his lungs, and they were correct in their evaluation. His bouts with COPD became more frequent resulting in fainting or anxiety attacks as he struggled to breathe, and this of course led to more visits to the hospital to get pumped up with steroids and oxygen. The bouts came more frequently and he had to quit his job with the State. About two weeks before his passing, the hospital told him that there was nothing more they could do for him and he could have nurses visit his home and help him the best they could, or he could register with a hospice. He chose the nurse visits but that lasted only a few days before he went into a hospice on the Sunday before Easter.
My brother still lived in Ohio (my younger sister does as well) and lived near where we were born and raised. I was able to travel to see him on Easter weekend, however, by that time he was being heavily sedated to ease his pain and facilitate his breathing. I suspect he knew we were there but he was in and out of consciousness state, and could barely open his eyes or whisper a word or two.
I was hoping he would be more alert and mobile so the family could have a meal together; either at a restaurant or at the hospice but that was not in the cards. I am surprised he lasted as long as he did since he was not eating at all for most of his stay and he was just getting a little water. He was the mischievous one among the three of us. More of a day to day attitude, a good sense of humor and of course when we were younger he aggravated the heck out of me. Not only was he a pain in my side, he knew he could get away with it because my parent’s rational was always this,
“You are the oldest so you should know better than to retaliate.” The good news is that he is now in a better place; he can walk and breathe again pain-free.
Reminds me of these lyrics from “I Can See Clearly Now.”
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me down
It’s gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day
Oh yes I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day
Look all around there’s nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead there’s nothing but blue skies
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day
As always be good, do good, play safe and remember someday all of our pain will be gone.
JR
