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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMy father died on 2/25/2020...
He had lung cancer that was under control thanks to immunotherapy and great doctors at The James, The Ohio State Universitys cancer hospital. His doctor mentioned at his last immuno session, in early January, that he had a patient who travelled from China every three weeks for treatment. The doctor was worried about his patient, and the doctors own family in China, due to this new virus that was emerging.
Dad got heartburn that wouldnt go away in late January. Nothing crazy, just annoying and it wouldnt go away. Then he got nauseous in early February and spiked a fever. We decided to take him to the ER. They admitted him for observation.
His fever was up and down. His BP was up and down. His O2 level was up and down for a week. He threw up and aspirated a week in and they put him on a ventilator. Four days later they tried to take him off. He was congested and didnt have the energy to cough it up, so back on the ventilator he went. He didnt get better. Three days later we took him off the ventilator and his meds. He snored away for another two days until he passed.
Two weeks in the hospital with no diagnosis. He was tested for the flu. Negative. He was scanned for infection. Nothing. No bacterial pneumonia. No lasting fever, yet they insisted it had to be an infection somewhere. I asked about this new virus in China. No, weve checked for everything.
Did they? Did they even have a test available here at that point?
He was 83. He was a great Dad. I miss him. I wonder why he died. I worry for my family.
MLAA
(17,319 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)It does sound like he had the symptoms of the Coronavirus. If he did please be sure to monitor yourself and the rest of your family.
Its so sad he passed the way he did.
LisaM
(27,830 posts)He was having heart issues and when they tested for a valve replacement, they found numerous cancer spots. They found a mass of blood and undigested food in his stomach that led to an inability to eat and caused aspiration. Ultimately they found markers for stage four colon cancer. He just couldn't battle it all.
So I get your worries but what you described was so much like what I witnessed last summer with my dad that I wanted to share that. There may have been nothing you could do.
I am sorry for your loss.
Maraya1969
(22,495 posts)My mom died on 2/20, 5 days before your dad. Losing a parent is tough. Mom was sick for a very long time but even so I wailed out in grief.
Maru Kitteh
(28,342 posts)I think it would be helpful to many, myself included.
OhNo-Really
(3,985 posts)Maru Kitteh
(28,342 posts)irisblue
(33,021 posts)Meowmee
(5,164 posts)brer cat
(24,598 posts)Demovictory9
(32,475 posts)HarlanPepper
(2,042 posts)This is a very sad story. Im sorry for him and for what you have gone through.
PlanetBev
(4,104 posts)It is so hard to lose your dad.
Please take care of yourself in this difficult time. 💐
wendyb-NC
(3,329 posts)Maru Kitteh
(28,342 posts)compared to other pneumonias.
https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/news/coronavirus-ct-scans/
I'm really sorry about your Dad. I lost my mom not so long ago, and it still hurts terribly.
TygrBright
(20,763 posts)Dem2theMax
(9,653 posts)Maybe it will give you some answers to some questions. Somewhere down the line that maybe of help to you as you go through your grief.
My dad passed in 2012, and there are still things I wonder about. If only this, if only that. I know nothing can be changed. And I have made peace with most of it.
But I do know that if I had had the opportunity, I would have asked for records to see what I could figure out. Because they didn't know what was wrong with my dad either. And it was lung issue related.
On a totally personal note, I am profoundly sorry for your loss. Anyone who says they had a great dad, I know what they mean. Mine was priceless. I miss him everyday. He was my best friend. But I'm so lucky he was my dad.
Stay close to family and friends, surround yourselves with your love for each other and your love for your dad.
It hurts like hell right now, but I promise that in time, that pain will start to recede into the background, and all the memories and the love will come forward.
Please take care of you. We are all here for you.
CountAllVotes
(20,878 posts)I don't blame you for wanting answers!
You deserve to know what the truth of the matter was.
That is very tragic and sad scenario.
It is real common to feel extra angry after a loved one dies.
I hope you can find some peace.
I wish you the best and please take care.
EllieBC
(3,041 posts)May his memory be a blessing.
Talitha
(6,613 posts)BigmanPigman
(51,626 posts)and I still cry all the time since it was completely unexpected and he was healthy as a horse at 85. I keep wanting to ask him his advice on all matters. It hurts.
orleans
(34,073 posts)i'm really sorry for what happened to your dad.
and i understand how you would wonder about the true cause of death. i would too.
RestoreAmerica2020
(3,438 posts)Paz.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,494 posts)Like you, this is an extremely painful time for me and my family, as I lost my wife of 54 years last October and it was an unnecessary death (long story). In addition, I lost the very best friends of my life outside of family in the summer and another great one in the winter - a wonderful blind fellow across the street. Then, my son lost a friend to drug overdose last month and a guy down the street committed suicide in his house. When life rains, it pours.
My kids and I are just beginning to cope with our loss and my son wants to get all the hospital and specialist's records during her treatment and hospitalization. We will eventually do that and I know it will be painful but should help with closure. We considered pursuing a malpractice investigation but after talking to an attorney about it, decided it probably would not lead to anything positive.
I did find out that we have the right to get a copy of my wife's hospital records and that the hospital (Baptist) is required by law to hold a review meeting with us for a case review and to answer questions we may have. I'm speaking out of school here, but your dad's hospital may have retained cultures taken during his illness that could still be evaluated for COVID-19 virus.
Wasn't meaning to trouble you with my pain, but it occurred to me how this coronavirus ordeal can make other suffering take a temporary back seat, especially when we have friends and loved ones to help protect and hold close. For me, that's a son (now in college), a daughter (school teacher) and son-in-law, a beautiful 13 YO granddaughter and a few friends.
I'm so grateful we have DU to share our trials of life and help each other survive........
Raine
(30,540 posts)I lost my father in 2008 I still miss him so much.
OhioChick
(23,218 posts)dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)Did anyone around your dad also get sick?
I highly doubt they tested for it, the respiratory symptoms sound spot on.
DarthDem
(5,256 posts)live love laugh
(13,128 posts)sinkingfeeling
(51,471 posts)CottonBear
(21,596 posts)malaise
(269,157 posts)I hope you get answers
mshasta
(2,108 posts)all I can said is that for your father the fight is over in a very painful way and for you is just getting started.
my most sincere condolences.