One hell of a week

Hi all:

 

Just got back home from Chatt. for the past week.  Remember my best friends Steve and Beki and Steve is finishing up lung cancer treatment this week?  Well, last Sun. nite 3/24 their house burned down and Beki's 95 year old father was staying with them and he did not make it out!  I was up there as soon as I could get there and Chargee and i stayed with our friend Debbie and my friend Carol looked after Sammy for me.  Oh, y'all it is just horrible.  I took Steve to radiation on Tues and Wed and when we left from there on Tue. amidst snowing I took over to their next door neighbors.  When I turned up that street and saw that house I just burst into tears; the back of the house makes the front look like the Taj Mahal!  They have basically lost everything.  Their younger cat did poke her head out from under the front porch Monday afternoon so that was a bright spot in what otherwise was a horrible day.  The older cat didn't make it out.  It took me about an hour to get myself together.  It's not the house it's the time spent there over the years.  Beki and Steve are able to stay at her Daddy's house so she is looking at that as his last gift to her.  About 10:30 last Sun. nite she was lying in bed watching TV and heard popping sounds from the back porch and got up to check it out and saw the flames on the back porch.  She hollered for Steve to get the fire extinguisher which he did and tried to put it out but couldn't and smoke just billowed in.  She got her daddy awake told him to get up and threw his walker to him but he only made it to the small hallway and that's where they found him.  He died from smoke inhalation.  The wind was horrendous last Sun. nite here and there also and that's basically what make the fire so bad.  They think it started with a small refrigerator on the back porch and once  it reached the attic and that wind that's all she wrote.  She was able to have her father's visitation, service and graveside all on Thursday so that was good.  Steve had a panic attack Thurs. morning before everything and Debbie and I went to the radiation center so Beki could leave to go to the funeral home and we took him home and he got ready and got him to the funeral home.  Course they gave him ativan and he was pretty much out of it that day and not eating because of course the radiation effects and chemo are kicking in.  He's to finish rad. Wed. and was perkier last nite and this morning.  Haven't heard from Bek since I left and what took place today.  Anyway that's been my hellish week.  Oh the rad. oncologist did say his treatments were going well so that's good news.  Please keep these precious people in your prayers as I know you will.  Thanks all and God Bless!

 

Jan (Basketcase)

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    I agree

    Jan,

     

    What a tragic series of events.

     

    To find radiation treatments the “bright spot” in your story seems illogical, but I am happy they are working for him.

     

    Prayer warrior in Oregon,

     

    Matt

  • ditto1
    ditto1 Member Posts: 660
    CivilMatt said:

    I agree

    Jan,

     

    What a tragic series of events.

     

    To find radiation treatments the “bright spot” in your story seems illogical, but I am happy they are working for him.

     

    Prayer warrior in Oregon,

     

    Matt

    What can anyone say

    other than prayers coming to you and your family.  Basketcase is what any of us would be after what you described.  To say hang in there seems so empty but try to stay strong and know were here for your venting, fears and to share your tears.

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    CivilMatt said:

    I agree

    Jan,

     

    What a tragic series of events.

     

    To find radiation treatments the “bright spot” in your story seems illogical, but I am happy they are working for him.

     

    Prayer warrior in Oregon,

     

    Matt

    Prayers

    Prayers for your friends. 

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    how absolutely terrible.   my

    how absolutely terrible.   my thots and prayers are with you and them.  I pray God will bless you and them with the strength to get thru this.  glad trmnts are going well.

    God blesss,

    debbiejeanne

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    OMG...that is just horrible!

    Your poor friend, my heart just goes out to her....what a horrible loss.

    p

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Hi Jan

    I too am sorry to hear the bad news, but hang in there, you are a blessing too many and continue to be supportive too so many others in need. Let us know if there is any way we can help them, maybe make a donation or something. It may not be much but every little bit helps. I will also keep them in prayer.

     

    God Bless

    Hondo

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    wow

    I am so sorry to hear this news, I couldn't even imagine the scope of grief your friends are enduring.  Please know that we're keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.  (you too Jan)  Katie