I would like to take this opportunity to again thank every one for their kind notes and cards we received following the death of my Father.  I think I have answered all personally but if I missed someone please know that my family and I appreciate your kindness.
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I will be writing a story about my Father at a later date...he was quite a character and his death made me realize just how interesting a life he had.  We will all miss him greatly but are happy he was not in pain at the time he died and that he is no longer burdened by a body that was no longer capable of supporting the soul, heart and spirit that was the essence of my Dad.  My Father will always be with me.  Of that fact I have no doubt.
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I myself was in the hospital when Dad died. I had been in for almost a week.  Among all the bad news we had a couple of bits of good news.  The doctors finally had enough information to diagnose the final disease I have and start treatment.  I was hospitalized and having steroids intravenously injected and will continue to be on a steroid taper for the next couple of weeks.  I have eosinophilic gastroenteritis ("Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis is a rare digestive disease characterized by an abnormal infiltration of certain white blood cells (eosinophils) in the lining of the stomach, small intestines and/or large intestine.")  It is a disease that is not curable but we hope to keep it under control so the "cookie tossing" can stop.  So far we are having good luck.
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Then Wednesday we took Dennis to his appointment for the echocardiogram in Texas.  He was immediately admitted and had a heart catherization done the next day.  The news was not good but it could have been worse.  The chest pain he'd had a few weeks ago had indeed been a heart attack.  The cath showed that there were multiple narrowed areas in the arteries, which the doctor told us did not make him a good candidate for angioplasty.  This was caused by almost 25 years of smoking and not exercising or eating as healthily as we should have been.  While we cannot reverse the effects of the disease we can slow it down through diet, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle changes.  That is our main focus right now.  The doctor said Dennis would be a candidate for bypass surgery in five to ten years.  I have made it my goal to try for the 15 year mark before he has to undergo any other procedures.  He had quit smoking about two weeks before the heart attack and we had already implemented better diet and exercise into our lives because of my illness.  Dennis' shortness of breath has improved already with the medication and we are continuing on our "healthier lifestyle" plan.
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I read Stoneman's article about God not giving us more than we can handle.  I was raised on that belief myself but also think we learn to adapt and deal with what we cannot change.  Face it...we have no choice.  So all of you out there give those near and dear to you a hug and kiss and tell them you love them.  And while you're at it you might check your lifestyle for healthiness...it can only help.        Trish