It's beginning to sink in that my dad will not be around forever

[JEDI]

i always viewed my dad as invincible and that he'll always be there.

Bright side:
He's 66 and still working not because he has to, but he wants to. He likes what he's doing. (40+ years in a Union as an electrical tech.)

down side:
- he was hospitalized last year for high blood pressure. (Ambulance came to his house and all because he was too dizzy to stand up.) Dad says as long as he's on meds and stays away from salt, he'll be fine.

- Last month he said he sometimes has numbness in his left arm, which scared the hell out of me. i thought it was heart problems and that he might have a heart attack soon. found out it was a couple of herniated discs in his neck which was causing pressure on nerves. He's going to make an appt w/a specialist.


but it was that thinking about a heart attack that made me realize that he's mortal and one of these days he wont be around

wow.. i'm actually crying as i'm writing this...

 

[Rock Hydra]

All the more reason to cherish the time you have left.

 

[Feldenak]

I hit that point a little while ago. I really wish I lived closer to my parents.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Rock Hydra
All the more reason to cherish the time you have left.

With everyone you care about. Happy holidays folks :gift:

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Rock Hydra
All the more reason to cherish the time you have left.

Exactly.

and take that from someone who lost her Dad and so wishes I had him back.

 

[linkgoron]

He may still have another 20+ years.

 

[BoomerD]

A good friend sometimes complains about the mandatory Sunday dinner with his family. (he's married and about 30) I always tell him how much I'd love to be able to have dinner with my/our parents again, and he shoud cherish this time with his parents, because one day (maybe not too far off) one/both won't be there anymore....

 

[aidanjm]

make the most of every moment!

 

[RaistlinZ]

You should also use this as a wake up call and make sure that you're taking care of yourself too. Hopefully you can avoid the problems with high blood pressure that your dad has.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
You should also use this as a wake up call and make sure that you're taking care of yourself too. Hopefully you can avoid the problems with high blood pressure that your dad has.

That is why my mom tells me health is the most important part of your life. You can live any life you want now but it might not be till way later (when you're in your 60s for example) that you realize that you could've been healthier. So remember: take care of yourself and your dad.

I'm sure he's still got many years ahead of him.

 

[Amused]

My father died when I was a teen.

Value every moment with him that you can. Hopefully you're past the age where you think you know everything and can actually learn something from him.

It's never too late as long as he's still here.

 

[dethman]

good luck to you, i came to the same realization about my mother, who was diagnosed with lung cancer about two years ago. cherish every moment.

 

[alkemyst]

I feel sorry for you but:

He's 66 and still working not because he has to, but he wants to. He likes what he's doing. (40+ years in a Union as an electrical tech.)

tells alot about that

 

[Meatyone]

Both of my parents are dead and take it from me, do everything that you can to make sure that later you have no regrets. They always knew I loved them but I have always felt like I didn't say it enough. And I wish I had done more stuff for them (surprise them with a dinner, whatever). And I wish I had been less judgemental of them. Avoid having to do any of this "and I wish, and I wish..." You will do some anyway, but make it less than me, ok? Do something unexpected for him this weekend.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

The doctors said my Dad had five or maybe 6 months tops after he was diagnosed with cancer. It's been 14 months since that and the man is now as healthy as a racehorse. Made a FULL recovery. They find nothing malicious in every follow up.

It ain't over until it's over - make the best of the time that you do have. And pray for the man.

 

[cyclistca]

If you don't already this should be a wake up call to you. High blood pressure is hereditary. If you don't already, try to get a general check up once a year. It's common on my dad's side. So far I've made it to 40 without it showing up. I attribute it mainly to exercising on a regular bases and eating better then most people.

My father died this year. He was 76

 

[dennilfloss]

My dad just turned 74 today and my mom turns 77 this January. They too try to remain active but I see the aging every 6 months or so when I go spend a couple of weeks with them. Dad still works three days a week because he gets antsy if he has nothing to do and both bowl twice a week. I talk to them on the phone almost every day.

Hopefully your parents and mine will be around for another 20+ years with a good quality of life. In the meantime, treasure every moment you have with them and make sure to tell them you love them.

 

[Kalvin00]

I always thought this as a kid, that my parents would never die, they were too young for that...

Then one night, when I was 16 and pop was 46, his heart failed in his sleep. Gone without any warning.

Changed my perspective on life a lot, that's for sure.

 

[Fritzo]

Yeah, I fell the same way about my dad. He was just diagnosed with prostate cancer (early- it'll be taken care of). He's only 62, which is when my grandpa died.

 

[Seekermeister]

Both of my parents died a few years ago, but I have never lost them. They live within me as much as ever, and I know that they still both live in spirit. That is not just a phycological illussion, because I know that no one ever ceases to exist. Only the body dies, and we will be reunited soon.

 

[Qianglong]

One of my gf's friend just lost her mom due to stroke. And she is only 20

Cherish the time we have, as time flies fast and flows like a river, once it flowed through, there is no reversal.

 

[hypeMarked]

Well, at least you are realizing it now. It is strange how the general public can make you forget what's the most important thing to you. The whole US culture is about get away from your parents and get laid ASAP and laugh at other people who stay with their parents.