I just discovered this read, and read it front to back. My deepest condolences to your family, zumbo. It really brings into perspective what is truly important and for what we often take for granted. All of us who can type away here should feel extremely fortunate for our health, the most important thing of all.
As with stratman, this also hits close to home, even if I never have had children. When I was 10 years old, my four month old sister died. I know its a long time ago, but I remember absolutely everything. My brother, a doctor now, was only six at the time, and he had the most stupefied look on his face, sitting on top of the stairs. I think, in retrospect, he just had no inkling about the idea of death, or the fragility of life. Jennifer was born with an enlarged heart and could not move in with us for almost 3 months. When she did, she was hooked up to monitors, and had tubes running to her nose. We were having lunch on a Sunday in January when the machine's alert was triggered upstairs. It definitely was not the first time that the alert was triggered, but this time it never turned off. I cried so hard and so long that my dad started laughing. Speaking of my father, also a doctor, he had previously told me while getting drive thru at Carl's Jr. that her chances were extremely good, like 90% good. I never asked him if he was lying in order to get my spirits in a positive alignment, but instead I just assumed he was telling me what he believed was the truth.
I am very thankful that I am to have a wonderful brother. My life would be much less full, interesting, and enjoyable without him.
I will think of you and your family each and every day that you may welcome support.
