May Update

November 25, 2024

The Cruise--Details

I didn't include more details in the prior "The Cruise" post for two reasons. 1) I didn't think anyone would be interested; and 2) This trip didn't include much of the normal topics: good beer, good coffee or John-style travel. But there are details, which may be useful to some people contemplating how such a trip is put together. On the first day of the trip, we drove three hours to pick up my mother in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At 85, she isn't comfortable driving for long distances and hadn't flown for many years. We then drove 3 1/2 more hours to Chicago, where we checked into the Wyndham, where you can get a room that includes the cost of parking for up to 12 days. We were up early on the hotel shuttle to O'Hare, where we then boarded the a non-stop American Airlines flight to New Orleans. Here, we checked into a Hampton Inn near the port. My mother was pretty tired, so Julia and I went out for a Cajun dinner and live music. Rememberi...

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