While I’ve had a number of life-challenging illesses for many years, none could actually end my life if I was diligent about taking appropriate medications, such as diabetes, arthritis, congestive heart failure, gout, diabetic neuropathy, chronic kidney disease, and so on. However, there’s one illness that we haven’t been able to slow, reverse or control — a bacterial infection — because I’m completely resistant to all known antibiotics. In recent weeks I’ve been struggling with a cellulitis infection throughout the right side of my body (from my foot up to my hip) that’s painful, red and warm to the touch … in addition to the incurable urinary tract infection I’ve been battling for three years. The high, spiking fever (from 95° to 102°) associated with bacterial infections always renders me unconscious, especially when the spike happens in less than an hour or two.
I’ve asked Sam not to call the hospice’s 24-hour crisis nursing team next time this happens, and I don’t want any more medications dribbled into my mouth with an eyedropper. I just want to pass away in my sleep. So if you’re reading this, that’s exactly what’s happened.
My life was way too short, but it was filled to the brim with love. Thank you, Sam, for the happy, joyous life we’ve had together, right up until the end.
I also want to mention a few wonderful, special people … my sister Robin, her beautiful daughters Melissa and Allison, and my cousins Bobby, Karen and Ron, and my best friend Sandi for the last 56 years. All of you know how much I’ve always loved you.
We’ll meet again. I promise.
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