Hi my name is Sandy and I have just found your web site and it has touched me so. My father, Donald Rose at age 70 was in the hospital for an illness which resulted in the finding of a aortic aneurysm. They had found the aneurysm while doing surgery for a lower lobectomy on his left lung. Aware of his aneurysm my father had decided to not have the surgery in fear that it would keep him from doing the things he loved doing. He was a very active man. And figured that if this was the way he was suppose to go and it would be quick. He feared a debilitating illness to keep him from living.
Well he was told the aneurysm was at rupturing size and that it needed to be dealt with now. Well we begged and pleaded with him and he refused. He knew it was a time bomb and figured he would just wait. It was the most hardest thing for me and the family to deal with I just couldn't understand why he didn't want to take care of business and live a long life. But I guess we all have our reasons.
Well on July 3, 1997 it happened the aneurysm ruptured and he was home at the time he called my husband first to call 911 and then to call us to tell us. He was taken to the hospital and we had informed the hospital of his condition and he was rushed into surgery so fast. I had that moment to tell him I loved him and I would see him soon, at that time in the hospital they had asked him if he wanted the surgery and he had said yes. I was amazed at his grasping at a second chance of life. I had so many mixed feelings that I didn't know what to feel at that moment. All I could think about at the time I guess was, is he going to make it?
Well he survived the surgery, when the surgeon came to talk to us he said the man should buy a lotto ticket, he was amazed that he had survived that much trauma. He had received so much blood during the surgery that it was enough blood to transfuse 12 people. So the waiting began. We had a long hard road ahead of us and it was very touch and go the first 24 hours. He began to really come around and was doing so well. They thought for sure they had a miracle at hand here. What a ordeal the body has to go through to recoup after a surgery like that. I was amazed on how everything had to come together like a well choreographed dance a perfect recipe for the body to master and all come together.
Well my father survived 13 days after his surgery. He must of had some unfinished business to finish before he left this earth, we can't explain it or understand in the least bit. But I feel blessed to be able to have him those 13 extra days. It was like my chance to tell him goodbye. I just don't understand things how someone can do so good and then just die like that. I have a lot of faith in the medical field and I know they did there best.
It has been a very painful experience for me and my family to endure. You are all in my thoughts and prayer for strength and understanding. Thank you for listening to my story.