Elkmont, Alabama
Weather: low 72 degrees, high 90 degrees, partly cloudy
Jerald, my wonderful husband of 48 years, died July 6, 2011 from complications of Amyloidosis. He fought this disease very hard but in the end it was not enough and his strength was depleted beyond fighting to survive anymore. Jerald never gave up and believed to the end he would go into remission and live to be at least 100.
I cannot tell you in words how his family feels losing him so abruptly. He was a strong believer in keeping close family ties, making to-do lists, and making just one more road trip in our RV. We never accepted the possibility of failure and we were positive of his eventual recovery. Me, "his girls" and grand kids will always miss and love him because of the husband, father and Pop Pop he was and will always be to us.
In his memory and hopefully to help someone out there that may have Amyloidosis, I'm listing the symptoms you need to be aware of if you have have been in and out of the hospital or doctors office for ailments that suggest more than just congestive heart failure. You can be tested and know for sure or you can slowly waste away and leave family members asking why and how could this happen.
Amyloidosis Symptoms Alert:
Many symptoms mimic other diseases, cancer is just one example.
Fatigue
Weight Loss
Numbness of hands or feet
Weak hand grip
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Bruising around the eyes
Dizziness when standing
Light headed feeling
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Swelling of the extremities
Edema
Difficulty swallowing
Irregular heart rhythms
Enlarged tongue
Hoarseness
Changing voice
Diarrhea alternating with constipation
Feeling full after small amounts of food
Another potential key indicator is increased protein levels found during regular blood tests.
Jerald had all of these symptoms at one time or another and most of them before he died. To learn more, please go to http://www.amyloidosis.org/
Someone once wrote: The past is history, the future unknown, but The Present is a gift. Treat each day as a gift and remember always that life is fleeting and the present you know becomes the past and those left behind have a future a little less bright without you in it.
Take care all and be safe.
Jerald's "girls" and family
Today's Town (his home town)- Ocala, Florida: God Be With Us
Not all who wander are lost.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tuscaloosa/obituary.aspx?n=Jerald-Simmons&pid=152425549
5 comments:
I love you, Dad. Always.
I am so sorry. God bless you, and I really mean it. I have been alone for 16 years.
Dad, I am missing you so much today. I picked up the phone to call you the other day so I could give you a hard time about something I heard on the radio about the Gators. For a few wonderful minutes I had forgotten that you aren't here with us. When I remembered, it was almost like losing you all over again. I am blessed to have you as my Daddy.
I will always love you.
Terri
Thank you for your condolences Michael. We miss him terribly.
Carolyn, I am so sad to read this news. I have followed the blog for over a year, since I am also an RVer. I will miss the posts, try to keep up the messages, it will help. Carry on my blog friend. My best to you and your family, prayers and sincere thoughts for your future without Jerald.....Cyndy Lammert
Post a Comment