Bad news, good news

[f6john]

       Bad news first, my 83 year old Dad has been in and out of the hospital a lot the last few years. I was home weekend before last for a short visit and it was good to see him. He went in the hospital again Saturday night and I called him this evening and the doctor has told him that he has leukemia and wants to send him to the University of Louisville for treatment. The doctor has also told him the treatment will be "rough". Dad's a Marine so he is no stranger to rough and as usual his concern is for my mother and her welfare while all this is going on.
        I ask for your prayers on his behalf. My prayer for my father is for the physical strength to endure the treatments and the comfort of him knowing that he is loved and that everything that needs to be seen after is taken care of.

        The good news is that Dad is a reborn child of God. Only his physical body will die when his time on earth is over. He takes the knowledge of this with him to the treatment center and has no fear of what tomorrow holds. Dad has always been a quiet man, who gives a lot of thought to his words before he speaks but I can assure you if he had the opportunity to speak to any of you who have doubts about what tomorrow holds he would spend his last breath to talk to you about salvation.


         My first call after talking to my Dad was to my sister, the second to my son, the third to my best friend and brother in Christ, and fourth to this message board. Most of you I've never met, most of you I've never seen in person, but because of a shared interest and common bond and the ability to to share our lives through the VRCC I come to you for the opportunity to share this burden. I thank you in advance for your consideration.


          I know I am blessed beyond measure to still have both my father and mother with me as I know that many of you have already experienced this loss. If is just a difficult time having to face the reality that time could be short.

John Smith VRCC 5666

[wiggydotcom]

In reading your post, John, I would be happy to send prayers your way....everyone can use them and benefit from them. But it sounds like you and your family are already blessed and your Dad has a good support group around him that will give him much strength and love as he goes through this journey. May God Bless him!

[R J]

From one Jarhead to another, Semper fi Brother, I got your back covered.....

Thoughts and prayers on their way from Iowa.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I wish him the best.

[JimL]

Prayers from middle Tennessee.

[joefromperry]

Prayers from Perry, OH.

[Slammer]

with your dad.

Slammer

[Gangman036]

Prayers from Indiana.......be with him when you can....it means a lot.

[Madmike]

.. my thoughts are with him..

[PAVALKER]

In reading your post, John, I would be happy to send prayers your way....everyone can use them and benefit from them. But it sounds like you and your family are already blessed and your Dad has a good support group around him that will give him much strength and love as he goes through this journey. May God Bless him!

I agree....  but prayers from Pittsburgh just the same.

[RTaz]

Devon and I will have your dad and your whole family in our thoughts and prayer....

[the inspector]

God Bless You John and your family. I can see your Mom & Dad raised you right, your a good Son. Take care Brother, my thought's and prayers are with you.

"the inspector"

[Jabba]

He, your Mother, Sister and you all have my well wishes as well.

Please tell your Father "Thanks you" for his service.  This country is VERY important to me, and it's because of men, like your Dad, that I can call it home with pride.

Jabba  

[Popeye]

Prayers from Illinois for your dad and family.

Popeye

[Robert]

Prayers from Florida

[f6john]

     The next 2 days are critical for my Dad. It's pretty much out of the doctors hands except for trying to respond to changes in his condition as they occur. He has put up a valiant fight so far but chemo has really kicked his butt. I'm asking for your prayers for all the patients in cancer wards around the country, they all need a little extra dose of the Lords grace. Thanks, John

[JerryB]

Prayers for your father and family.......JB.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

My thoughts are with you, your father and family...................................

[Popeye]

Prayers on the way from Illinois for your father and family.

[solo1]

Prayers for your Dad and family.  I pray that God will give him the strength needed to get through this.

Wayne, Solo1

[Crazyhorse]

Prayers from Cumberland Furnace.

[2KVALKRIDER]

From Colorado,  my prayers and thoughts are with you, your father and family... stay strong bro.....

[f6john]

     Dad lost his battle today. Thankfully there was no suffering at the end of the battle, he just gently stopped breathing and slipped away, I could not have asked for more. At my age, I was blessed to still have both my parents alive and active. I know many of you have lost your parents already and while I sympathized I had never experienced the range of emotions that you go through. The Bible tells us "to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord" and I can think of no other place Dad would want to be.

     

[RainMaker]

Sorry to hear of your loss and prayers to your family.  

Remember how bravely he died but most specially remember how he lived.

[Serk]

My most sincere condolences... 

[JerryB]

Very sorry for your loss.........JB.

[feather]

Sorry for your loss and what your Dad and family had to go thru...he is in a better place and no longer in pain I'm sure.   I lost my husband a year ago, he fought a pre-leukemia for almost 7 years and it does take alot from them.  I miss him everyday but I know that he is no longer hurting and feeling down because he could no longer do what he wanted...he cried last year because he could no longer hold up his Valkyrie or go fishing....GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

[Lil D]

Sorry to hear of your loss and prayers to your family.....

[Pat S.]

My prayers are that the Lord give your family comfort and may his will be done in your Dad's life.

[Willow]

My heart goes out to you, John.  I'll be remembering you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Jabba]

You have my thoughts as well.  It will be a relief for everyone, him most of all.  I am glad it was peaceful.

Jabba

[Chrisj CMA]

Sorry to hear.......prayers from FL

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

He is truly in a better place. I am very sorry for your lose. My dad pasted away 11 yrs ago and he is still in my thoughts. Remember the good times.