(Thanks everyone for taking the time to visit this site. It’s here you’ll find updated information on my Dan’s battle with T-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.)
Early on Friday, May 15th, Dan’s condition quickly began to deteriorate. His organs were failing while his spirit still fought on. No one saw it coming. His condition at 11 p.m. Thursday was stable and alert with the ICU planning for him to be removed from the ventilator on Friday. But it wasn’t meant to be – so horribly sad for our family and all of you beautiful friends.
It was with great heaviness that the doctor held my hands and gently told me that the time had come when they were prolonging Dan’s death rather than supporting his life. Nothing more could be done for him to recover from what was happening inside of him. I was faced with fulfilling his wish to never be sustained on life support.
Later that evening, Dan passed from this life to the next, joining our daughter Hanna in Heaven. Our family was at his bedside all afternoon to love him and say goodbye – for now.
The Christian philosophy of suffering in this life is that it actually brings you closer to God. I believe then that Dan is healed and whole and basking in God’s eternal love and glory. For a man who loved others so unconditionally and suffered so much, he is certainly worthy of it. Yet at the same time, I cannot phathom my life now without my soulmate. Somehow I also know God will gently show me how. I must put my faith, my grief and my pain into God’s hands. Please pray for me, Nick, Dave and our family. This will not be easy.
May 18, 2009 at 4:30 am |
You are all in my prayers — and I’m honored you were able to share your experience here on this blog… Dan’s reunion with Hanna must have been so special.
May 18, 2009 at 8:18 pm |
Janice – I don’t have enough words to tell you how sorry I am that you and your family have lost Dan, especially after how hard he fought. I hope it is some comfort to know that he’s no longer in pain, and that he was blessed with an amazing family. God Bless – Cindy
May 19, 2009 at 3:52 am |
Janice,
Thank you for sharing Dan with us. You are strong and beautiful and an inspiration for us now, as you always have been for Dan. There is no greater show of love.
Joy