Warren's Dead

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Last Sunday he sang tenor in a trio at church.

Last Wednesday in choir practice, he forgot a piece of music so he jumped up, sprinted down the stage, bolted down two flights of steps, ran to his car, then hurried back. He resumed his place on the back row and sang without even breathing hard.

Saturday I got a call that he had had a massive stroke. I went to the hospital. He was unable to talk but could raise his left hand, which he was resting on his forehead. They had a strange, blue funnel inserted into his nose. Twice he vomited violently and each time bile came out of his nose. I believe he was in misery.

The neurosurgeon told the family that Warren has a massive bleed. The blood will soon pressure his brain stem and he will stop breathing. He can do surgery to save his life, but he will never feed himself, speak, swallow, or be independant in any way again. He will not recognize anyone and will never again understand their words. He will never walk and will most likely be on a ventilator. “Do you want to operate?” The family was obviously in shock. They all looked at each other and asked for some time to talk and think and pray. The surgeon apologetically added, “I need to know in three minutes.”

They decided to let him go. It was agonizing watching them wrestle with the life of the previously healthy patriarch of their family. I believe thier decision showed great courage and dedication to Warren. Keeping him, IMHO would have been selfish.

Monday night I visited. Warren was a twisted form under the white hospital blanket. Hospice had not yet arrived to prepare the family for what was to come. I did not tell them, but his color, and the wet rattle in his breath, told me that he would pass within a day. They were making plans for who was going to stay with him Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday…I was not going to take their hope, but I knew these shifts did not need to be covered.

Tuesday he died.

Saturday he was a completely healthy, fit vivacious man. Wednesday he was dead.

His last song? The trio he sand in church last Sunday?

“I’ll Fly Away”

…when I die, Hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly away…

Godspeed Warren. We’ll sing together again.

2

I’m very sorry for your loss.

3

I, too, am sorry for your loss.

Please, everyone, make sure your family is aware of what you would want done on your behalf in such a situation.

4

How old was he?

5

Oh. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry for your loss.

What a moving description, you wrote that so well. I hope Warren enjoyed his life, it sounds like he was blessed with a wonderful family and friends.

6

Sorry for your loss. It does reaffirm my belief in people, however, that they did what was best for him instead of what was best for themselves.

7

I’m very sorry for your loss. Sending supporting thoughts your way.

8

I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, newcrasher. I’m sure you’ll sing together again as well. I’ll think of you the next time I sing that hymn, my absolute favorite.

9

You have my deepest condolences.

10

newcrasher I’m so sorry for your loss. Warren, his family, and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

11

newscrasher, you’ve written a beautiful tribute to your friend. I’m sorry for your loss.

12

newcrasher, I don’t know if you’re ready for morbid humor, but I’ve got one for you when you are [spoiler]This thread is wreaking havoc with my messages. Because I keep skipping in and out of the Dope to check on some other things, and I haven’t been clicking on each reply b/c I pretty much know what they’re going to say. So my inbox looks like this:

Straight Dope “Warren’s Dead”
bblah blah blah
Straight Dope “Warren’s Dead”
bblah blah blah
Straight Dope “Warren’s Dead”
bblah blah blah
blah blah blah
Straight Dope “Warren’s Dead”
Straight Dope “Warren’s Dead”

It’s reminding me of that Chevy Chase bit about Francisco Franco[/spoiler]

13

My condolences on your loss.

14

I’m sorry for your troubles. :frowning:

15

I am sorry for your loss-he sounds like a great guy.

FYI: The strange blue thing in his nose was probably a nasal trumpet, placed to provide a way to suction secretions out of the back of his throat. Or it may have been a nasogastric tube placed to siphon away his stomach secretions (ie the bile).

16

*snerk :stuck_out_tongue:

Warren was a young 77.

Unfortunately his wife had a debilitating stroke 5 years ago and relied on him for everything. She was always on her arm. Both married at 17. Sixty years together. God bless her. I am not sure what she will do now.

17

“Grant to the departed eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them.”

That was a beautiful tribute. I knew a guy, who was about my own age at the time(mid-forties) who had almost the same thing happen. Massive brain aneurysm it was. Within the space of a few hours he was gone. Come to think of it, Bill was a choir member too. Maybe he’ll get to know Warren.

18

This reminds me a LOT of how my father passed. My condolences, I’m pretty sure I know how you feel. (Dad complained about a sore shoulder on Sunday, was in the hospital Monday, had surgery the following Sunday, was dead within 14 days of the initial event. Combination stapf infection, E. Coli infection, an aneurysm at the base of the brain stem, and finally, a stroke he never recovered from. He was in a situation where he went from being healthy and vital to, 48 hours later, a place where he’d never speak or walk again.)

19

Jesus, these fucking brains. One blood vessel goes kablooey and everything just…burns out. What a fucked-up system that is.

How fucking fragile life can be. All the more reason to treasure it, and remember Warren, and rejoice in his memory, and take comfort in it.

77 is a goodly span, after all, and thankfully he didn’t linger in the state he was in. Small favor, yes, but it’s for the best.

20

*Obviously she was always on HIS arm…