May Update

December 30, 2024

Not really SAD, but

A lot of people are affected with Seasonal Affective Disorder in Wisconsin. We have many, many days without sun during the winter months. This year, we've had a string of days with heavy fog and unseasonably warm temperatures in the 30's and 40's. Personally, I can't claim that I've ever really felt the effects of SAD, but this year, knowing that we are likely moving west later next year, I've been very impatient and annoyed with Wisconsin weather. Sun trying to fight through the clouds It hasn't helped that my daily routine involves looking at the weather in Fort Collins and Tucson. Their weather has been spectacularly sunny and more pleasant this time of year. So, I haven't been blogging much because not much is going on. I've substituted indoor pickleball for hiking. The trails have been muddy and not much fun. For Christmas, we had my mother, Julia's brother and Allie here. I went and retrieved my mother from Cedar Rapids a...

After battling a failed respiratory system for four months in the hospital, my 23-year-old son, Justin, died last night. Last week, he was driving the hospital bean-counters and back-office people crazy by having way too much fun in the hospital. He was playing video games, watching sports and crime shows on tv, and ordering Uber Eats. Then Saturday afternoon, he went code blue with rapid changes in oxygen level, heart rate and blood pressure.

With modern medicine, drugs and technology, hospital staff stabilized his numbers, but Justin became quite uncomfortable and agitated. His last words were, "Will it ever end?" Allie flew home on Sunday night, and her presence in the hospital room on Monday brought a final, brief smile to Justin's lips. He passed later that night.

I'm proud of my son for his lifetime willingness to fight for a life that was in many ways fuller than most able-bodied people. In return, he made our lives richer and fuller.

After a time for grieving the loss of Justin and also celebrating his life, I will be back, hopefully, with more adventures of my own to document in this blog. Life is short, and tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Comments

Ray said…

John, my sincere condolences. I'm grateful for you sharing your son's story through his trials and tribulations. He was a modern day hero to me.

Best,
Ray

May 9, 2024 at 9:21 PM