My previous post was an accounting of what Richard endured during his time in the hospital. But now I want to account for the strength of our little family and how they were always there for me and their father. I want to mention the numerous friends that came to visit, as well.
After Richard had his first two surgeries, the stents and Carotid Artery surgery, he developed ICU hallucinations, and fear of people coming into his room at all hours, so it began, we took turns spending the night. The kids took turns sleeping at the hospital and then going to work in the morning. I would come in during the day to sit and keep Richard company. Sometimes 10 hours a day. It was all so exhausting. I mentioned this Richard a couple of times; I wondered if he would have been that diligent if roles had been reversed. He assured me he would have, but I'm not so sure, there would have been Tuesday and Thursday shop nights, weekend shoots in Friendship, Indiana, and whatever else. I probably shouldn't have questioned it, I know from past events, it would have been something important that would keep him away. Nevertheless, I never doubted his devotion to me. He showed it every day when he was home and healthy. He would start my car on a cold morning, he would fix my coffee every morning and bring it to me. He always made sure there was gas in the gator and take the car for oil changes, he would drop me off at a door and then park the car, causing him to walk further. He would do all the sweet things a wonderful husband would do. But sit in a hospital 10 hours a day so that I wasn't alone, I don't think so. We continued overnights throughout his first month in the hospital. When he went to Springfield Acute Rehab, we stopped spending the night. He did fine with that. It was only after he went into ICU at the end did the overnight stays began again.
Richard was blessed with friends that would come and visit. His Ag Teacher friends, his gun buddies, his shop friends, and of course family. Early on he talked on the phone with friends that couldn't visit. He chatted with the doctors, nurses, and cleaning staff, engaging them in conversations. Everyone was kind and helpful. Richard would shake their hands, and his friends were assured that he was "humbled and grateful" for their friendship.
I was also grateful, having his friends help me get the mower out for spring yard work. Even going so far as getting tires fixed that were flat and filling the gas cans and whatever else needed done. Trisha and Emily were also very attentive. Helping wherever I needed and keeping up with all the doctors and relating information if I wasn't at the hospital. I swear, every patient needs an advocate to help understand the procedures and question everything happening. Mostly the nurses would answer questions and request doctors to explain things to us.
It was a hard time for all of us and yet, we wouldn't have done it any differently. We still would have been there for hours, often just watching him sleep. He loved Trisha's foot rubs. We celebrated our 55th Wedding Anniversary with family gathered. We had a cake and made it a celebration. I sometimes brought art in to work on and I would give nurses, cleaning staff or whoever touched us with kindness a piece of my artwork as a thank you. We truly were blessed by many kind people trying to make Richard comfortable.
It's hard to believe we lived through six months of this hell. The next six months may not be any easier. We lost this wonderful man, on July 15th, 2024. Our hearts will hurt forever.
It was a long six months of juggling our lives to be there for this wonderful person we called Dad and Husband. We missed spring and summer; our lives were on hold and in prayer. We evaluated this new stage of our lives, getting older and how to deal with it. A reality check, for sure.
Now we are without our center, our leader, the man we could always count on to bring a perspective of level headedness and kindness. I lost my life partner, my love and my other half. This is very hard.
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