Hot Rodding from the Front Porch with help from 32Gal

My Dad is 92, on hospice now. I am his caretaker, he lives with me. Now he is at the point where ive moved him into the living room {to gain more room } and have a hospital bed set-up with everything else that goes with it. I dont know how long he's got, only God knows that. I am used to climbing in my Coupe every day and enjoying myself. Now i cant, and probably wont for some time. Dad comes first. I have a hospics nurse that comes 3 times a week, and also another male nurse to help him with a shower. I miss my Hot Rodding daily but i am going to miss Dad more when he goes.

 

Very sad. Hope he is comfortable and not in pain.

 

Not being a smart ass, but, put ole Pop on the porch and drive the Coupe back and forth in front of him ! He'll get a kick out of it !!!!

 

32Gal lives next door to me, so she "spells" me so i can go to the store a couple times a week. She is a great gal.

 

POPS comes first.......if it were'nt for him ...no you. no you... no hot rod .
BEST OF LUCK .
B.B.

 

Cherish the moments, despite the efforts required.

 

As you said, it is all in God's hands. Do your best.

 

You're a good man Charlie Brown...

 

Wow, Randy, this really tugs at my heart. My grandmother is 99 and I only get to share time with her over the phone, which is difficult because she's having a tough time, too. I feel glad for you to be so near him and to be able to spend these final days close by. He's lucky to have family to be able to do so.

You and your pops are in my thoughts. Keep your chin up, buddy!

 

you will never regret what you did for your dad....

 

....wish I could have had my Dad until he was 92.........he died at 54 when I was only 21 yrs. old......cherish the time, Randy..,.....he gave it all to you.....now it's your turn.....you'll make it, especially having Barbara next door......count your blessings...

Your pal,

CB

 

Maybe we could put a drop axle on his hospital bed? May some 40 steelies & whitewalls???

 

Family first...the coupe will be there when your ready. Hang in there Randy!

 

Good luck Randy and your doing the right thing, family first.
Rob

 

You are doing the right thing. God Bless.
Tom

 

Good on ya Randy, enjoy the time.

 

Kind of in the same boat. Dad had his colon removed about a year and a half ago. He is 86 and diabetic and has a kemo seed inplanted every 6 months to control the prostate cancer. Mom is 85 and a triple cancer survivor. Hospitce comes in every day to give him a bath. I am going to retire this year as his health is getting worse. I go by the drug store every day after work,go by their house every day after work, and take both to most of their doctors visits. I do not think about going out of town in case he falls. I have parked the drag car, has not be on the track in two years now. As said before, family comes first.

 

Being a caregiver is one of the most difficult jobs out there, especially if you are related, very mentally and physically draining. But when all is said and done you will feel so much better that you were the one and trust me your father in all his ordeals knows he has raised a good son and that makes his pain alot easier. Stay with it and cherish your last days with him. God Bless and stay strong

 

I was in your shoes with both my dad and mom. 11 years apart. I also had things that i missed being able to do but i will always cherish the care that i got to give to both of them. I will be saying prayers for you and your dad. One thing that i miss being able to do is holding my dad's hand and telling him that i love him. Do that with your dad every chance you get.
Gasser Girl

 

Very hard thing to experience, I'm sure.. I sure miss my dad. He was taken away from me so suddenly. Spend as much time with your old man as possible and reminisce on the old days. Hope he isn't in any pain and that his exit from this place is a painless one as well.

Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

 

Good choice..... prayers for you both.

 

Randy, You'll be glad your doing what is right when it's over.


Ron E

 

GOD bless you and your dad, it must be very hard to see someone you love in that state.
Spend time on the HAMB while you are hanging with dad, itll keep you involved in what you love and help you keep your sanity through what must be the toughest time of your life.

 

You are a good man and your Pop's is lucky to have you. I know of which you speak, I am caretaker for my wife, mid-60s, with early onset memory loss which pretty much is a 24/7 situation. There probably wasn't any hesitation in your stepping up and there wasn't any in mine either. Family is what holds the world together. I probably back my shoebox out of garage a couple of times a week, she loves to go for ice cream, and that keeps my pilot light lit. God bless you for being a caring son and God Bless your dad.

 

Sorry to hear about your Dad! But he is lucky to have you .

 

Very sad but your doing the right thing ! god bless

 

Thanks to all for the kind words, Hamber's are the best there is !

 

You're doing a fine thing for your pop; you will never regret it!! Don't know if you have children, if you do they are witnessing what it means to be part of a family. Best wishes to you, your friend and your father.

 

Randy, make the most of the time your dad has left. My dad just passed after being sick for 3 months and being on hospice the last week. He went way too fast, only 79 years young.There are a couple things about his past that have turned up that no one knew and we never thought to ask. Turns out he possibly was in the Korean war and even my mom didnt know and she was married to him for 53 years. DAMN MARINE. Make sure you talk about everything and ask a whole shit load of questions. I know all about my dads past hot rods, scooters and guns but didnt think to ask about the important stuff. To forkin late now I guess. Take car, Mitch.

 

I did the same thing with my parents. It was payback time. Just think of all the gray hairs we gave them when we were growing up. You have your priorities in order.