Uncle in ICU again...hoping for the best but planning for the worst.

@maezee (41985)
United States
August 29, 2020 3:38pm CST
How's it going? It is Monday in my world and I just got to work a couple hours ago, things are not super busy currently. Things WERE pretty busy on my weekend (which was Weds-Fri) which was busy shuffling back and forth between some doctor appointments that *I* had, seeing family, seeing my little sister before she leaves for college on Sunday (she is only going about 1 1/2 hours away in Southern Minnesota, so we will be able to visit often I am sure). She will probably end up driving back up every couple of weeks also. I am excited for her. Also seeing my friend/cousin every day. Her dad, my uncle, is back in the ICU with a blood infection this time. He had gotten one round of chemo, after learning his pancreatic cancer had spread to the lining of his stomach, but it weakened him so much that he apparently acquired this blood infection and is having a hard time fighting it. He has been through SO much for the last couple of months, tons of procedures - stents put in, nerve/pain blocks, drains put in, chemo, ports...I feel so bad for him. I also feel bad for my friend / cousin, who doesn't really have any friends (besides me) - but seeing her every day has been wearing me down as well. I care about her dad deeply, so I am not only feeling my own grief, but hers, and my father's as well (he is my dad's best friend). It's coming from all angles. I started a Go Fund Me for him and his daughter - not to be morbid - but mostly to help her survive financially since she has been out of work for 5-6 weeks without any pay but also for the possibility of funeral expenses. He doesn't have much money. I am trying to ease the burden by doing some cost research and finding some nice facilities. He wants to be cremated, his daughter wants him to have some of his cremation ashes put into a burial plot at a cemetary she can visit, the rest she wants to spread out where he spent a lot of his youth - Key West, Florida. This is so out of my element, and I just have never had to deal with planning someone's funeral...before they have even passed away. But I want to take this burden off of my cousin. She has to grieve. I have to grieve too, but not as much as she needs this time to do so. I am NOT giving up on him but his health has been steadily detiorating, that I am trying to create a plan so we are not running around like chickens with our heads cut off if it does happen soon. I pray he can make a recovery. But he has been fighting pancreatic cancer for 2 years. They initially gave him 4-8 WEEKS to live back in October of 2018 when he was first diagnosed. Screw you, cancer! He has been a lot stronger than I had expected to be honest. He has fought very hard. Grief is a terrible thing to endure, but I do know it is a part of life. The most messed up part of life. I have been blessed to have mostly-healthy parents, I have only experienced the death of my four grandparents. But no one closer. And I hope not to for a long time. Any helpful hints or resources for planning these things?
6 people like this
5 responses
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
29 Aug 20
No hints. Been there many times. You have to do things your way. I wish you all the best.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (121302)
• United States
30 Aug 20
My mom was cremated, but only because we donated her body to science. Once they are done, they cremate the body, and they either give the ashes back, or spread them by themselves if the family prefers. My dad didn't want her ashes, but I did. That may not be a road you guys want to go down though. We didn't do it because it was free, we did it for research since she had dementia. I feel badly for you all. I'll be praying for you guys. I sincerely will.
• Valdosta, Georgia
29 Aug 20
Heavenly Father, I thank you for loving Maezee, her cousin, her uncle and her dad. Lord, I ask for healing in her uncle from head to toe. Father, I ask for healing and restoration in his body. Lord, touch him and heal him. I ask for your peace, wisdom and comfort to touch them. Lord, I ask for your amazing love to surround them. Father show them how real and amazing your love and peace are. Thank you for answered prayers Lord. In Jesus mighty name I pray, AMEN!
@sallypup (69256)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Aug 20
You are being very with it. I have nothing to offer other than my sympathies.
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
29 Aug 20
wish the best for you and yours.