Thank you to everyone who came to dad's services and to all of you who were there in spirit.
We especially want to thank our cousin Father "Jimmy" Courville for doing such a beautiful and thoughtful and special job for our family.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Dad's Online Memorial, Keepsake Video and Keepsake Printing
Click above the picture of my dad (click here for his memorial page) to view the keepsake video and keepsake printing for my dad prepared by Broussard's Mortuary here in Beaumont.
I want to send out special love and thanks to our friend Dana Melancon for providing the music last night at dad's vigil which was all upbeat and fun, exactly what my dad requested and I can't begin to express how wonderful our dear friend Tom Broussard and everyone at Broussard's has been.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I want to send out special love and thanks to our friend Dana Melancon for providing the music last night at dad's vigil which was all upbeat and fun, exactly what my dad requested and I can't begin to express how wonderful our dear friend Tom Broussard and everyone at Broussard's has been.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Dad would be so pissed and an interesting fact
Dad would be so pissed
When dad pulled us in individually to speak to us before he passed, in typical Ransonette fashion, it was all about practical matters. We shared our emotions as a group, but the important stuff (important to him) was emphasized in individual conversations.
One of his biggest requests was that he didn't want a lot of media coverage. Well, that didn't happen and, I swear to you, every time a reporter or television station would call yesterday it would either thunder or start raining harder.
Sorry, dad. Not our fault.
Interesting fact
Did you know that it's possible to cry and brush your teeth at the same time? I didn't. Maybe it's the Xanax. Ah, the miracles of modern medicine.
When dad pulled us in individually to speak to us before he passed, in typical Ransonette fashion, it was all about practical matters. We shared our emotions as a group, but the important stuff (important to him) was emphasized in individual conversations.
One of his biggest requests was that he didn't want a lot of media coverage. Well, that didn't happen and, I swear to you, every time a reporter or television station would call yesterday it would either thunder or start raining harder.
Sorry, dad. Not our fault.
Interesting fact
Did you know that it's possible to cry and brush your teeth at the same time? I didn't. Maybe it's the Xanax. Ah, the miracles of modern medicine.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Dad Stuff and links to newspaper articles and obituaries
Two random thoughts about my dad that are just on my mind tonight:
He and mom kept miniature Snicker's in dad's room at the hospital and would tell every nurse and doctor, every single time they came into the room, "Don't forget your tip." Then they would badger the poor people until they took at least one Snicker, telling them to at least give it to someone else if they didn't want it or couldn't eat it themselves.
Thought number two is the fact that he absolutely, positively refused to wear a seatbelt. Drove us all crazy.
Links
Link to dad's obituary and memorial page where you can leave a message: click here.
Link to article in the Port Arthur News: click here.
Link to article in the Beaumont Enterprise: click here.
Link to story on local CBS television station (with lots of pictures): click here.
Link to story on local FOX television station (with video): click here.
Link to more pictures of dad: click here.
He and mom kept miniature Snicker's in dad's room at the hospital and would tell every nurse and doctor, every single time they came into the room, "Don't forget your tip." Then they would badger the poor people until they took at least one Snicker, telling them to at least give it to someone else if they didn't want it or couldn't eat it themselves.
Thought number two is the fact that he absolutely, positively refused to wear a seatbelt. Drove us all crazy.
Links
Link to dad's obituary and memorial page where you can leave a message: click here.
Link to article in the Port Arthur News: click here.
Link to article in the Beaumont Enterprise: click here.
Link to story on local CBS television station (with lots of pictures): click here.
Link to story on local FOX television station (with video): click here.
Link to more pictures of dad: click here.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Harold "Red" Ransonette, Jr. (July 27, 1932 - September 27, 2009)
My dad passed away at 10:00 a.m. this morning. I had just left the hospital to come home and shower when I got the call to come back to the hospital. As we all made our phone calls this morning, most of the people we called were at church and more than a few called us back to say they had been praying for dad.
I can't begin to thank you all for your love and support.
Here are some of my favorite pics of dad and click here for some of my favorite dad stories.
My dad passed away at 10:00 a.m. this morning. I had just left the hospital to come home and shower when I got the call to come back to the hospital. As we all made our phone calls this morning, most of the people we called were at church and more than a few called us back to say they had been praying for dad.
I can't begin to thank you all for your love and support.
Here are some of my favorite pics of dad and click here for some of my favorite dad stories.
I can't begin to thank you all for your love and support.
Here are some of my favorite pics of dad and click here for some of my favorite dad stories.
My dad passed away at 10:00 a.m. this morning. I had just left the hospital to come home and shower when I got the call to come back to the hospital. As we all made our phone calls this morning, most of the people we called were at church and more than a few called us back to say they had been praying for dad.
I can't begin to thank you all for your love and support.
Here are some of my favorite pics of dad and click here for some of my favorite dad stories.
Dad Update and a Little Something Strange
Dad is the same this morning. Love to everyone reading this. I know he knows you care.
An interesting side note. While my uncle and his family were visiting dad yesterday, my uncle and my cousin's friend's hearing aid batteries went out at the same time. A few hours later my cousin's hearing aid battery went out. They all told us that that has never happened to them before where all their batteries went out within a few hours of each other..
An interesting side note. While my uncle and his family were visiting dad yesterday, my uncle and my cousin's friend's hearing aid batteries went out at the same time. A few hours later my cousin's hearing aid battery went out. They all told us that that has never happened to them before where all their batteries went out within a few hours of each other..
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Dad Update and Aunt Lora Scares Everybody
My dad's brother and his wife and daughter and a friend were just here visiting dad and my dad's brother's wife passed out in the room. The nurses called a Code and it was mass chaos for a while. My cousin just came back up from the emergency room and they say that she just "passed out" and she will be fine. Holy cow.
Dad Update
It's Saturday morning and dad is still with us. No change. We continue to talk to him and remind him of all the family who are on the other side and are waiting for him.
The widow of my young cousin who passed away three weeks ago came up to visit dad with my mom's sisters and my cousin Chris yesterday. Cindy told dad that Alan is waiting for him, but dad must still have things to do here before he goes.
Bonnie brought her laptop up here to the hospital, so I thought I'd do an update. The nurses and clergy at the hospital continue to take good care of us. Love you all.
The widow of my young cousin who passed away three weeks ago came up to visit dad with my mom's sisters and my cousin Chris yesterday. Cindy told dad that Alan is waiting for him, but dad must still have things to do here before he goes.
Bonnie brought her laptop up here to the hospital, so I thought I'd do an update. The nurses and clergy at the hospital continue to take good care of us. Love you all.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Dad Update
Mom called us from the hospital Wednesday night a couple of hours after we all got home and said that the nurse suggested she call us, because dad was beggining to pass away.
We all went up there (me, Terry, Stu and Bonnie) and gathered around dad and told him it was okay to go. Eventually, we all found a place to try to get comfortable and rest.
Thursday, dad was still with us, we all spent the night again last night and he's still with us this morning. I've come home to freshen up and go back to the hospital.
I knew everybody was wondering.
We all went up there (me, Terry, Stu and Bonnie) and gathered around dad and told him it was okay to go. Eventually, we all found a place to try to get comfortable and rest.
Thursday, dad was still with us, we all spent the night again last night and he's still with us this morning. I've come home to freshen up and go back to the hospital.
I knew everybody was wondering.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Dad Update and Dad Jokes and Dad Joke on Pain Medication
Dad Update
Mom and dad spoke to dad's oncologist this morning and the oncologist told dad that they could either stay in the hospital, go home or be transferred to hospice. Dad told the doctor that after four weeks in the hospital he already felt like he was at home (we've become very fond of the nurses and immensely grateful for all they've done for us) and that going home or to hospice would be too hard on my mom. The decision was made to stay in the hospital.
I know that the thought of staying in the hospital rather than going home might sound like an odd choice. However, my mom and dad, being the funny, sweet, considerate, patient, thoughtful people they are has created a real bond with the nursing staff and we couldn't be more confident and comfortable anywhere else.
Dad had another pretty good day. He was alert in the morning and still either had a joke for each nurse that came in or told her what good work she was doing or how pretty she was.
Dad's infectious disease doctor came in and before he could say anything to dad, dad started telling him that he knew the doctor had done everything he could and that it was his body that had given up. It was evident that the doctor was taken aback, since he had obviously come into the room to comfort dad and all my dad could think of was that he didn't want the doctor to feel like he had failed him...or us.
We had lots of visitors today: dad's brother and sister-in-law, his niece and her family, two of dad's childhood friends and some of the girls from our old neighborhood.
Also today, my grand-fabulous-daughter Ava was much more playful with her paw-paw. We were all very grateful for that. She's been very tentative with him, which has been understandable, but very sad to see. Today was a good day for Ava and her beloved Paw-Paw.
By the time we left tonight, dad was very tired. They have started him on a low dose of medication to relax him and make him comfortable which also makes him sleep more.
Dad Jokes
As I mentioned earlier, dad always has a joke for the nurses. When he went back into ICU last week, mom and Bonnie and Terry and I waited patiently outside his room peeking tensely through the blinds watching the oh-so-serious nurses work on getting dad hooked up to all the big, scary equipment. Suddenly, both nurses busted out laughing. We knew that even at that intense moment, dad was still only interested in making everybody else feel better.
Today, he told us that after the couple of days in ICU when the three blond nurses who had been taking care of him were wheeling him back to the room, he told them, "Now that you're taking me back to the room, I have a blond joke for y'all."
One of the nurses said, "What do you mean 'now' you can tell us? Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
Dad told them, "You think I'm crazy? I'm going to tell three blonds with rusty needles a blond joke while I can't defend myself?"
Dad's Brain on Pain Medication
Out of the blue at one point this afternoon, when it was just the original "Ransonette Family" (mom, dad, Laurie, Terry, Stuart, Bonnie), dad suddenly said, "Why do they have locks on the lockers in the police station?"
Good question dad.
Mom and dad spoke to dad's oncologist this morning and the oncologist told dad that they could either stay in the hospital, go home or be transferred to hospice. Dad told the doctor that after four weeks in the hospital he already felt like he was at home (we've become very fond of the nurses and immensely grateful for all they've done for us) and that going home or to hospice would be too hard on my mom. The decision was made to stay in the hospital.
I know that the thought of staying in the hospital rather than going home might sound like an odd choice. However, my mom and dad, being the funny, sweet, considerate, patient, thoughtful people they are has created a real bond with the nursing staff and we couldn't be more confident and comfortable anywhere else.
Dad had another pretty good day. He was alert in the morning and still either had a joke for each nurse that came in or told her what good work she was doing or how pretty she was.
Dad's infectious disease doctor came in and before he could say anything to dad, dad started telling him that he knew the doctor had done everything he could and that it was his body that had given up. It was evident that the doctor was taken aback, since he had obviously come into the room to comfort dad and all my dad could think of was that he didn't want the doctor to feel like he had failed him...or us.
We had lots of visitors today: dad's brother and sister-in-law, his niece and her family, two of dad's childhood friends and some of the girls from our old neighborhood.
Also today, my grand-fabulous-daughter Ava was much more playful with her paw-paw. We were all very grateful for that. She's been very tentative with him, which has been understandable, but very sad to see. Today was a good day for Ava and her beloved Paw-Paw.
By the time we left tonight, dad was very tired. They have started him on a low dose of medication to relax him and make him comfortable which also makes him sleep more.
Dad Jokes
As I mentioned earlier, dad always has a joke for the nurses. When he went back into ICU last week, mom and Bonnie and Terry and I waited patiently outside his room peeking tensely through the blinds watching the oh-so-serious nurses work on getting dad hooked up to all the big, scary equipment. Suddenly, both nurses busted out laughing. We knew that even at that intense moment, dad was still only interested in making everybody else feel better.
Today, he told us that after the couple of days in ICU when the three blond nurses who had been taking care of him were wheeling him back to the room, he told them, "Now that you're taking me back to the room, I have a blond joke for y'all."
One of the nurses said, "What do you mean 'now' you can tell us? Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
Dad told them, "You think I'm crazy? I'm going to tell three blonds with rusty needles a blond joke while I can't defend myself?"
Dad's Brain on Pain Medication
Out of the blue at one point this afternoon, when it was just the original "Ransonette Family" (mom, dad, Laurie, Terry, Stuart, Bonnie), dad suddenly said, "Why do they have locks on the lockers in the police station?"
Good question dad.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Dad Update
My brother got here today from Arkansas today. That makes us all a little stronger.
Dad is still very much alert and has been moved to a room in the hospital so that we can all be with him all the time. We left him and mom alone tonight. She recently told us that at one point, a couple of months ago when they were at the hospital in Houston and dad was uncharacteristically depressed, she got in the hospital bed with him. They are quite a pair.
The prognosis remains the same. He has too many infections in different parts of his body and they are all fighting against each other. He isn't in pain (or so he says) though we can all tell he is very uncomfortable. The only clinical signs he is currently showing are very low blood pressure, diarrhea and jaundice. He now has a tube for the diarrhea, so that is helping somewhat with his comfort level.
His low blood pressure and his condition is "stable" according to one of his doctors. The next couple of days will dictate the future of his care, whether in the hospital or with hospice.
Tonight, we were all in the room with him (except for my brother's family who will be down from Arkansas later) and it was a typical happy Ransonette time. Dad spoke to each of us privately in very matter-of-fact terms about very practical matters. It's all very surreal.
We all have our moments of weeping and hugging and clinging, but they come at random times and rarely all at the same time. So, there's always someone stronger around to lean on.
My dear friend Janice/Poodles gave us this prayer today:
The light of God surrounds us.
The love of God enfolds us.
The power of God protects us, and
The presence of God watches over us.
Wherever we are, God is.
I've seen...and felt...a lot of God today.
Dad is still very much alert and has been moved to a room in the hospital so that we can all be with him all the time. We left him and mom alone tonight. She recently told us that at one point, a couple of months ago when they were at the hospital in Houston and dad was uncharacteristically depressed, she got in the hospital bed with him. They are quite a pair.
The prognosis remains the same. He has too many infections in different parts of his body and they are all fighting against each other. He isn't in pain (or so he says) though we can all tell he is very uncomfortable. The only clinical signs he is currently showing are very low blood pressure, diarrhea and jaundice. He now has a tube for the diarrhea, so that is helping somewhat with his comfort level.
His low blood pressure and his condition is "stable" according to one of his doctors. The next couple of days will dictate the future of his care, whether in the hospital or with hospice.
Tonight, we were all in the room with him (except for my brother's family who will be down from Arkansas later) and it was a typical happy Ransonette time. Dad spoke to each of us privately in very matter-of-fact terms about very practical matters. It's all very surreal.
We all have our moments of weeping and hugging and clinging, but they come at random times and rarely all at the same time. So, there's always someone stronger around to lean on.
My dear friend Janice/Poodles gave us this prayer today:
The light of God surrounds us.
The love of God enfolds us.
The power of God protects us, and
The presence of God watches over us.
Wherever we are, God is.
I've seen...and felt...a lot of God today.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Dad Update
I don't know what to write except that things are not getting better with my dad. Your sweet and inspiring comments are important to all of us. Thank you for being there for us every day.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Dad Update
Dad's blood pressure remains low. He is scheduled for another CT scan to consider reinserting the drain tube to his liver because his bilirubin levels continue to rise.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Dad Update
Dad was put back in ICU today with fever and low blood pressure. The antibiotics are causing severe colitis, but the antibiotics are needed to treat an, as yet, undefined (possibly blood) infection.
The fluids given to him to increase the blood pressure cause other problems and the chemotherapy weakened his system to cause the infection. We're all very tired and confused. We saw lots of doctors today and I have notes somewhere upstairs, but I don't feel like getting them.
Basically, the way it was explained to us is that he has three different problems (lymphoma, pseudomembraneous colitis and low blood pressure) which are all worsened by whatever treatment they use for treating the other problems. That doesn't even count the blood clots and the pneumothorax which were discovered yesterday.
Not good.
The fluids given to him to increase the blood pressure cause other problems and the chemotherapy weakened his system to cause the infection. We're all very tired and confused. We saw lots of doctors today and I have notes somewhere upstairs, but I don't feel like getting them.
Basically, the way it was explained to us is that he has three different problems (lymphoma, pseudomembraneous colitis and low blood pressure) which are all worsened by whatever treatment they use for treating the other problems. That doesn't even count the blood clots and the pneumothorax which were discovered yesterday.
Not good.
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