Wondering where I've been? Probably not. But in case anyone actually reads this, I've been in Portland from March 28 to the April 8. There was no internet access that I could easily use. I even tried to use my cell phone and notebook so I could update, but no luck.
Anyway, I was the designated "care giver" for my Uncle, who contracted Hepatitis C in 1968 from a blood transplant he received after being wounded in Vietnam. We went to Portland so he could be evaluated for a liver transplant. Unfortunately, only I made it back.
He died in the ICU on the third floor of this hospital. Guess he didn't pass the evaluation, huh? I was holding his hand when he died. We fully expected to return home together on Monday. It just doesn't make sense to me why the Veteran's Administration would send someone who was so obviously ill 3,000 miles away from home for an "evaluation." It was just too late, and the cancer consumed him. I'm still upset about the whole thing, and I've got to help with the funeral arrangements tomorrow. Much sadness for our family.
He was a 17 year old Marine in the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, and saw a lot of action. He received a death sentence in Vietnam. We watched him slowly die over the last 8 years. The effects of Hepatitis were not disabling for many years. But when it got control, he became very ill very quickly. Technically, he died of liver disease and liver cancer. In truth, he was a Vietnam War casualty. He'll be missed. I'm going to set up a memorial site soon. If you'd like to see some pics of Portland, visit my photo album.
posted by Lori @ 2:25 AM
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