Missing TaTa

In mid December of 2011 my strong Father in Law walked into a local clinic in Southern AZ and was admitted for a severe sinus infection that he had ignored, hoping it would go away.  After 1 day in that facility he was Ambulanced to another Hospital in the next major city. While there with our 5 little ones we got to spend some precious time with their TaTa. We also had the wonderful privilege of Santa visiting us in our Hotel room during our stay. Glad to know Santa can find you wherever you are. ;) ....and then off to see TaTa again. After a few more days, and things looking very hopeful, we said our sweet goodbyes and set off to home in the big city.

 Two weeks later to he was Heli-Vac'd to Central AZ to yet another Hospital. He was much closer to where we resided so we visited nearly daily.

Due to the severity and extensiveness of his infection, surgery was now required and he was in extremely capable hands at this top-notch medical facility. His infection had become bacterial and had spread behind his eye; which was protruding at this point. The decision was made to surgically to remove his eye since the pressure of the infection had caused the blood flow to be restricted and his vision was lost; as well as remove as much infection as possible.

A 2.5 hour surgery stretched to over 6 hours and the aftermath was nearly unrecognizable. His eye as well as his nose and much of his facial bone had been removed and if they had continued his facial/cranial structure would have been collapsed.

Our TaTa, after recovery and a few missing parts, was still spry and delightful with his grandchildren whom he adored. Though sadness began to set in, with all, that he would never be the same. :(

Doctors still did not have the infection under control and revealed the grim news that it had spread to the base of his skull and was now entering the brain.

To save you many more details, it was now late January and he was transferred back to the Southern AZ Hospital and over a week later to Hospice where he took his last breath on that February day with his devoted Wife, youngest Son and Grandson at his side.

He never got to walk out......