I fear my father-in-law, a WWII vet and Bataan Death March survivor, may be dying

[derby378]

Louis was the father of my beloved Ginny, who died a little less than a year ago. Now his health has taken a turn for the worse. He's been in a nursing home for quite some time, but now he has developed pneumonia, is not eating or speaking, and looked to be in very frail condition when I paid a visit to him at the VA tonight.

His wife is holding on as best as she can, but I know this has been crushing for her. Louis always took care of her needs, and she's had to learn to do for herself in a real hurry.

Your thoughts, prayers, and vibes for my father-in-law will be most appreciated. Thank you.

[AzDar]

1. All the best... and won't you thank him for saving the world for me?

:hug:

[derby378]

4. It was interesting hearing him talk about Bataan

He said that the Death March itself wasn't so bad - a soldier in decent condition could make the trek without much difficulty. But there was the oppressive heat of the Philippines, the lack of fresh water, rampant dysentery in the ranks, and the ever-present fear that a Japanese soldier would shoot or bayonet you just for the hell of it.

[peacebird]

2. our thoughts and prayers are with you & your father-in-law

"Funny" sort of synchronicity - you have Eeyore in your post, and that is *my* father-in-laws nickname... Many stuffed Eeyore's about his house. :hugs:

[Ilsa]

3. I'm very sorry. My father is

almost 85, a WWII veteran of the South Pacific, Navy. He has Parkinsons Disease and it's getting difficult. It sounds like your FIL might be ready to go.

I'm sorry your family is going through all of this. Sending warm thoughts your way.

[Diclotican]

5. derby378

derby378

how sad to hear.. He is a hero, and I hope he goes well, when it's time for him to go..

I hope your family is wel, and that you can have comfort in eatch other at this time.. Be togheter and help your family..
And as other have said before. Give him thanks for what he did when he was in the war.. This from a young man who was not even been thinking about when that horrible war was active...

I wil try to give him my best vibes, he deserve it.

Diclotican

[Generic Other]

6. Best wishes to him

Battling pneumonia is no fun. Once the drugs kill the infection, he may slowly regain his strength. Hope for the best.

[senseandsensibility]

7. I'm so sorry

Best wishes to him and your family.

[fairfaxvadem]

8. I'm sorry to hear this for you and your family.

My own mother is a WWII Vet, Army Lieutenant, as was my dad, and all their brothers. She is 90 and it won't be much longer before we're in the same position you now find yourself. It's heartbreaking to lose them. I hope your FIL gets a bit of reprieve so his family may enjoy his company a little while longer. Hang in there. They were all a tough bunch, that's for damn sure and have my undying respect.

[Arugula Latte]

9. I'm so sorry.

My F-i-L is an 87-yr-old WWII veteran. He was shot in Germany and has three Purple Hearts. Lately he's been fading away (dementia). It's hard. The one consolation is that after surviving the Depression and the war, he was able to live a productive, happy life for several decades. I hope you feel the same about yours. :hug:

[derby378]

10. Thank you, everyone

I appreciate the kind thoughts very much. :hug:

[senseandsensibility]

11. I understand what you're going through a little

Fortunately, my WW11 vet father-in-law is still living alone and doing okay (knock on wood), but the time is drawing near when we will have to deal with what you're dealing with. There's something so poignant about these larger than life warriors showing the ultimate human weakness. It will be heartbreaking for us as I'm sure it is for you. Echoing a poster above, please thank him for saving the world.

[spanone]

12. k&r

i lost my dad when i was in my early twenties, i still think of him all the time......he was only 46

....best thoughts

[Cleita]

13. My thoughts and prayers are with him and you.

Thank him for his heroism. He won't be forgotten.

[Tatiana]

14. I am praying for your father-in-law and family.

May God give you the strength and peace to make it through this difficult time.

[w8liftinglady]

15. Healing thoughts to you and your family... Illness affects all

Sounds like your father-in-law affected many lives.
A prayer for as little suffering as possible for him... and for you and your family.
Peace.
Beth

[emilyg]

16. Prayers on the way.

[WolverineDG]

17. Hoping for the best for your father-in-law

:hug:

I met a Bataan Death March survivor many many years ago. He was the husband of one of my dad's secretaries. He let us see the scars on his back from being whipped. I'm sure he's long gone to his reward &, if this is your FIL's time, he will be waiting for him on the other side, along with Ginny.

dg

[calimary]

18. Sorry to hear this, derby378. Sending him healing thoughts.

Sending them to YOU too.

:grouphug:

[11 Bravo]

19. You and your father-in-law are in my prayers.

My dad saw aerial combat as a fighter pilot in the South Pacific during WWII. He pased away three years ago. When it's time for your father-in-law, he will have a bunch of comrades-in-arms waiting to welcome him.

[Dappleganger]

20. I am sorry, derby.

You've had so much thrown at you. :(

[LiberalFighter]

21. Best you can do is let him know that his affairs are in order

and the family will take care of his wife. The wife needs to be prepared. And as best as possible do what you can do to make it easy for her.

Both of my parents died this year. Father first and mother 6 weeks later. We knew it was happening soon. Mother was authorized for hospice and was cared for at home. My father broke his hip falling and went to the hospital with expectation of having surgery. He was in for about 12 days and was going down hill. They authorized my mother to be with my father so she could be with him for 5 days. She was there when he died. I think it was important for my dad that he knew that he had everything taken care of financially. The transition from hospital to attending the visitation and then home was fairly smooth. Although, we did try to convince our mother not to do the visitation and save her energy for the funeral. She ended up needing to lay down on a couch at the visitation during most of it. That same day we had arranged for a hospital bed in her home and 24 hour care.

Our mother before our dad died needed help a few days a week and also had someone come in to clean once every 2 weeks. Fortunately, Medicare was able to provide some help along with their insurance.

[elocs]

22. My sympathies. Pneumonia used to be called the old man's helper.

This was before our ability to keep people alive long after the quality of life has diminished.

Perhaps given his age, his condition, and his quality of life the best prayer would be for him to have the most peaceful and gentle passing possible, a quiet ending for a good life.

[applegrove]

23. vibes.

[Raine]

24. I'm so sorry, he sounds like a special person

someone who has been thru so much. I can tell you love him a lot. Many positive thoughts and prayers on there way for him, you and the rest of the family. :grouphug:

[intaglio]

25. May his passing be long distant

And, whenever it happens, may it be easy.