OTTUMWA —
My husband, J.B., had always been a healthy, happy outdoorsman — whether at his job in the Experimental Department at John Deere working on machinery or at home playing ball and coaching our sons’ ball teams, cutting wood or just watching the birds and animals from our nearby woods. He also liked to eat! However, in the fall of 2009, his appetite began to lag. He was 81 and had had heart surgery, so we did not think too much about it. By Thanksgiving and Christmas, I and other family members knew something was wrong. He was also losing more weight.
Being the type of man that he was, it was difficult to get him to mention these concerns to his doctor. The doctor told him if his symptoms continued, he would order tests. The symptoms did not go away, and a series of tests followed. First they found blood clots in one of the lungs, and a brief hospital stay ensued. Gall bladder surgery and a colonoscopy showed nothing. Then came the endoscopy that showed a cancerous growth in his upper stomach. He was referred to a specialist in Des Moines. We were told because of the cancer’s location high in the stomach, it would require removing his entire stomach (an extremely traumatic surgery). A tiny pouch would be formed from the upper intestine to hold a few bites of food. Even if he survived the surgery, a long or permanent stay in a nursing home would be necessary. The only other option was chemotherapy and radiation. He opted for the chemo.
Through all of the chemo, he was very patient and laughed and joked with the nurses. His throat and mouth were so raw and sore he could scarcely swallow. He seldom complained and continued to be upbeat. He was just thankful he was not sick to his stomach and that he had not lost his hair.
Another round of chemo soon followed. Still, he was brave and for the most part in good humor. Finally, his doctors announced he was in remission. We were ecstatic. That did not last for long.
He again lost his appetite and his weight plummeted even more. This once strong, 220-pound man began to resemble a Holocaust victim. Food became unthinkable and he became annoyed with me for asking him if there was anything at all that sounded good to eat.
A third attempt at chemotherapy was just too much. Depression was taking its toll along with the nonstop nausea.
He began to talk about “the end,” and welcomed it. While I talked with him, I had a hard time knowing that we were talking “finality,” but I knew he wanted to go Home and see our son and other family members who had previously passed on.
After a particularly rough weekend, we knew it was time to call Hospice, which we had both talked about and agreed upon. I stood in the yard, tears flowing, and watched the ambulance take him from our home of 56 years, knowing he would not be coming back.
Four days later I held his hand and asked him, “If you can hear me, squeeze my hand.” He could, and ever so faintly he squeezed my hand, then stepped through the veil.
On Sept. 1, 2011, J.B. met his Lord and was reunited with our son.
Erma Reeves
Ottumwa
Local News
Cancer Awareness Stories - J.B.'s story
- Local News
-
-
Storefronts to get a big facelift
OTTUMWA -- A fresh set of facades in one city block could build momentum for the revitalization of downtown Ottumwa. The city has received conditional approval for a $500,000 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority's downtown master facade
-
Tenco productivity increases thanks to new equipment
OTTUMWA — There's nothing like good partners who team up and improve the world around them. Tenco Industries and John Deere Ottumwa Works have teamed up to improve the way Tenco workers handle all the containers they receive for recycling and other
-
Date set in Pam Ward retrial
A date has been set for the retrial of former Ottumwa Transit Authority Director Pam Ward.
-
SLIDESHOW: Communications tower assembled
Crews assembled the new 250-foot communications tower Tuesday in just more than four hours.
-
Body of Fairfield boy recovered
FAIRFIELD -- Authorities in Montana say they have recovered the bodies of a grandmother and two grandchildren after the car they were in rolled into the Clark Fork River, including that of a Fairfield resident. Authorities were called Friday after a
-
Loosen up, help a student graduate
OTTUMWA -- Students in the massage therapy program at Indian Hills Community College are almost ready to graduate. They just need a little help from the community to complete their requirements. The 14 students in the program each need to clock 200 h
- County supervisors OK mental health contract OTTUMWA -- The Wapello County Supervisors on Monday approved renewing the county's contract with Southeast Iowa Case Management. Supervisor Jerry Parker said the action is related to making mental health affordable. "It's ObamaCare," he said. Manager
- Changes coming to council chambers OTTUMWA — Four city officials are up for re-election this fall, though only two plan on running. Mayor Frank Flanders, as well as Councilmen Bob Meyers, Brian Morgan and Jeremy Weller, will finish out their terms at the end of this year. "Things are
-
Not guilty plea entered in death of Oskaloosa infant
OSKALOOSA — An Oskaloosa man charged with murdering the infant he was babysitting has pleaded not guilty. On Monday, Bryan Draper Vilcone, 24, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, a Class A felony. On April 18, Oskaloosa Police officers respond
-
Hatchet attack suspect pleads guilty
OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa man charged in last summer's hatchet attack is headed to prison. Charles Julian Jason Zwer, 27, pleaded guilty this month to willful injury causing serious injury, a Class C felony, and assault while participating in a felony, a
- More Local News Headlines
-
