Today my brother, Ted, died. He was only 62. He had battled heart disease for almost 20 years, having endured two heart attacks and by-pass surgeries when he was in his forties. Later came the pacemakers and internal defibrillators. In 2008 he was in the hospital most of the year. During that period he received an LVAD - left ventricular assist device - commonly known as a heart pump. He was not a good candidate for a heart transplant because he had also had cancer within the past few years. We almost lost him last year during the first heart pump surgery. During the course of things, they had to amputate one of his legs. This year, a second heart pump was installed (He had worn out the first one !).
He was doing well and really looking on the positive side of life. He learned to cope with his new disability and enjoyed using a very fine motorized chair. I recall him looking forward to getting out on the sidewalks in it when the weather cooled. He never got that chance.
Ted had to go back into the hospital this past month. While there, his kidneys failed, he had another heart attack, and his defibrillator fired several times. But we visited him Monday and he seemed tired but peaceful and we hoped for an improvement. Then, suddenly Tuesday, he had a brain bleed of devastating proportions and was put on a ventilator. This morning the medical personnel gradually turned off all the life support machines and he slipped away quickly into the arms of Jesus.
I have come to see his life as inspirational. He adored his loving wife, Carol, and his three children. One of his favorite things was to send Carol flowers. The two of us conspired to get her a big surprise for her birthday (but, she found out, so it was no surprise). Ted wanted to live long enough to see his son graduate from college this December. He had been at the Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center for so long that the staff could not help becoming attached to him. Nurses and therapists flocked to his little intensive care room to say goodbye to him with tears. Even some doctors were moved with emotion at his destruction. He had a great will to live and put up a valiant fight.
So, I say, "Goodbye," to Teddy and, "I loved you. Forty-two years ago today, you walked me down the aisle to be wed to Bill. I still remember you as a little boy with your Bobo, as a young man loving to sky dive, and as a mature man striving to stay alive for your family."
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