03/12/2024
I’ve waited long enough to make this post. I just never thought I’d be doing it without my Dad.
A few months ago a young man walked through our doors. He bought a water and when he was asked if there was anything else, he said, well, (as if approaching a tiger in a cage)…… I was curious if you would be interested in selling your business.
After Dad was able to make him sufficiently uncomfortable and question his decision to ask such a question with a lot of deep breaths, words UNDER his breath and slow intentional motions and repeating back to the young man - “sell my business …..” while another fellow announced he was going to leave right then and there, Dad told the young man he would like to hear the young man out.
With the hemoglobin battle Dad had been battling the past few years and all the close calls I had been pushing Dad to sell and give himself a little bit of time to see and do some of the things he wanted to.
He had been particularly enthused about the idea of getting back to Colorado and riding backroads in a side by side. He also spoke of riding one around town to do errands. No matter the age, he kept his “spark” and zest for living.
Over the next few months there was a lot of excitement. He was making NEW plans, he still wanted to run the shop to continue to provide for the community.
When January rolled around there was a constant need for blood transfusions as the hemoglobin numbers kept dropping more than at any other time.
After a FOB test showed positive and with stomach discomfort he was set up to see a gastrointestinal specialist and treated for an ulcer to help elate pain and nausea. His appointment was February 20th.
On the 16th I noticed he was unnaturally yellow. Because of so many times when I had wanted him to seek medical care it was rebutted with “Jolaine I don’t have any ### ###x time to go see the doctor”, I snuck a call in to his provider. I was concerned it was a hemolytic reaction to his blood transfusion. He had 6 units of blood in less than a week. Two or three units had been lasting up to a couple months.
I told him my Google scholar med school diagnosis and he said “hallelujah!” He was excited at the idea that the lousy way he had been feeling could be treated. However we would find out that my Google Scholar Med School degree was wrong. Well, it was right, but not right enough. There was more. So much more.
This time he was glad I had made the call. I should have known right there the winds of change were stirring. We got him loaded into the car and got him into ER.
It was decided to run a scan and do lots of blood and urine tests. As Dad settled in I watched his vitals with a pounding heart, they finally became stable and actually good, for anyone, let alone an 87 year old man with all he had going on. There was that flicker of hope that I always looked for.
If you know me, you know how much I pray and my Faith runs deep. There is nothing impossible for the Lord.
Every night I pray for each member of my family. I would start with my Dad and ask that no harm and no evil be allowed on them. I always asked God to not take my Dad home without notice. That I would be with him and I would be able to say goodbye.
We were about to find out that prayer had been granted.
Because it is a small hospital when they do scans and such they are sent to bigger places. This one was read by a fellow who specializes in this area and worked with CHI.
September 24 the same scan was performed. This one was read by a specialist in the Methodist system. No red flags.
But this night, all would change.
When the provider entered the room she confirmed what I had read in his MyChart. I jumped up and grabbed Dads hand, I was in such denial I had to be right there as she disclosed he had multiple malignancies. These included a 2.4 by 7.4 cm mass in his pancreas. There was a mass wrapped around his adrenal gland. The cancer had metastasized to his liver and intestines. Colon cancer was not confirmed but could not be ruled out without further examination.
He was given the option to be transferred to Omaha. He could consider treatment options or biopsies. He chose to be admitted upstairs and given two units of blood.
After much discussion regarding the aggressiveness and advanced stage he chose to go on hospice with St. Croix. They gave him an extra day at the hospital so there was time to create a place for him. He decided he would go to my home to my son, Joshua’s room. He wanted carpet and rustic wood paneling. Josh and his friend Alex worked their tails off to empty what had been a full storage room, clean it up, and lay carpet and greet the hospice equipment delivery.
It was warm and comfortable and he had many visitors. He had accepted his terminal diagnosis and made peace his journey from here on.
He told me he was only transforming and he would still be with me, probably right behind me pushing in the back so I couldn’t give up. He said, “I know where I’m going”.
While on hospice the final contract for the sale of his business was brought to him and he was able to sign. This was his last act of business with the company he founded and grew for the last 55 years.
For all the concerns about what he was facing with the cancer in his last days he was spared. After he declining his pain meds and seeing him be miserable I begged him to let me give him the meds.
He accepted. That was the last conversation I had with him. I gave him his meds round the clock every four hours as hospice instructed.
On the 27th hospice shared with me to expect his passing at any moment. There is a story to why his passing on the 27th was so pivotal to those who had been through this journey with him. If you would like to hear it please ask me privately.
That evening, family friend Cheryl Waggoner, came to sit with me. Later in the evening I read to him devotions from the book “Jesus Listens”. After several pages I played the music he had chosen for his services.
Cheryl suggested that I get a little rest and she would be on watch. Instead of facing him as I always had, I decided to lay on my side. I got comfy and closed my eyes only to have Cheryl gently rouse me and point to my Dad. I believe he waited so I wouldn’t have to see him take his last breath, which he knew would be very traumatizing for me. He passed unremarkably, with no sounds or movements. I believe with all my heart when the soul leaves the body the soul can look down, so I said “I love you Daddy! I’ll see you some day! I’ll miss you! Tell Mom hello”. With that the atmosphere changed. The room seemed darker, colder, empty. So did the world.
I want to thank all those who made time to visit him in the hospital and at home. Those moments were precious.
Speaking for myself and on Dads behalf I want to announce that March 26th we will shut our doors after thoroughly enjoy serving you now in our 55th year.
Eric Taylor (pictured below) is bringing Taylor Quik P*k to town. They will be providing shell branded fuels, no offbrand, but quality fuels. The store will be completely remodeled and open tentatively in May with food options. They also designate a pump from which they will donate a portion of profits to our school!! So every time you fill up on that pump you donate to our schools and it costs you nothing! They also accept the HyVee fuel saver card.
We are proud to be turning over the reigns to another family business. We are excited about the offerings this company brings here. They work with commercial accounts for in-house credit also!
As this era comes to an end We overwhelmingly suggest you giving these folks a shot. You won’t be disappointed!
Thank you all for the business, the friendships formed, the families we watched grow up and all the love and support losing Dad. You are all welcome to join us for the service and luncheon/reception. Keith wanted his service to be a Celebration of a Life given and all the blessings that happen in a lifetime. There are many people traveling from afar and I personally hope you will use this time to feel the joy and love from above, share your favorite story - if shareable in mixed company - with Keith and reconnect with those you don’t see enough of. I have no doubt his and Moms presence will be felt and though we can’t see Dad, I’m sure he will be wearing one of those big grins as we celebrate the part of his life that brings you together with us.
The End.
