Calm
22nd November 2008, 07:19 PM
This week has had more change/effect than any other in my life that i can remember.
Tuesday - my mate that has suffered from Crohns disease for the past 14 years (the past 3 with the Sh!ts 24/7. Over the last 4 months he lost control of his bowels to the point it was embarassing for him to go off the farm. During the past 4 years his weight has decreased from 88 KG to 60 KG as well. He refused to have a "colostrum bag" operation although the doctors offered it for the last 2 years.
He was a neighbour when i managed a farm for 10 years (i have left there 11 years ago) and for the past 15 years since his brother died i have helped him on his farm with the 2 man jobs and for the past 5 years that has increased to anything that required a bit of strength and for the past year i needed to get my brother to do the 2 man jobs with me. He was a 66 YO batchelor that would not have travelled more than 50km from home, on more than 10 occasions - he went over the westgate bridge twice. He never bothered to et his licence but still drove everywhere. This was apart from when we used to go to Maryborough/Trentham/Daylesford/Ballan to play golf on Sundays before he got crook the last 3 years or so.
Anyway after being in hospital since 17th October and the past week on life support he passed away on Tuesday when the life support was wound back. The old bast*rd fought to the end but alas determination cannot always prevail. I sat with him for the last 4 days for about 2 - 3 hours each morning and night. (the hospital staff were magnificent the way they looked after him and put up with me at 6 am or 11 pm after spending the day on the farm helping him out)
I shed a tear, had a sook then realised that he's at peace now - reunited with his brother who was also his best mate.
Thursday - So we buried him Thursday morning and a huge crowd turned up with a do at the pub afterwards. A great finish to a sad event. More cups of tea.
Friday - Off to the Solicitors on Friday at 4pm to hand in the financial papers (bank statements, superannuation, investments etc) they asked me to collect and bring in. The solicitor told me to come in handed me a copy of the will, i sat down and you could have knocked me off the chair with a feather when i was told the farm had been left to me. Another person received some cash but basically he left most to me. I didnt know what to say, do, think, i was absolutely flabagasted, i didnt do any of this for gain i did it to help a bloke that needed help, never expecting anything in return.
So what am i going to do now my life has changed from renting a house, spending all my spare time helping my old mate to owning the bloody thing and a brain so spun out that it doesnt seem to register what has happened.
Saturday - i get up ring my mate who drove me out to the farm and had a look around with me, gave me his thoughts on the house and other things, and back home to Balarat for a cup of tea. Phone rings and my SIL says my daughter has just given me my first grandchild Ashley/Ashlee Jaide/Jade/Jayde (no bloogy idea yet.) both her and mum well.
So how was your week - mundane i bet.
Cheers all from the confused one - tell him he's dreamin!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday - my mate that has suffered from Crohns disease for the past 14 years (the past 3 with the Sh!ts 24/7. Over the last 4 months he lost control of his bowels to the point it was embarassing for him to go off the farm. During the past 4 years his weight has decreased from 88 KG to 60 KG as well. He refused to have a "colostrum bag" operation although the doctors offered it for the last 2 years.
He was a neighbour when i managed a farm for 10 years (i have left there 11 years ago) and for the past 15 years since his brother died i have helped him on his farm with the 2 man jobs and for the past 5 years that has increased to anything that required a bit of strength and for the past year i needed to get my brother to do the 2 man jobs with me. He was a 66 YO batchelor that would not have travelled more than 50km from home, on more than 10 occasions - he went over the westgate bridge twice. He never bothered to et his licence but still drove everywhere. This was apart from when we used to go to Maryborough/Trentham/Daylesford/Ballan to play golf on Sundays before he got crook the last 3 years or so.
Anyway after being in hospital since 17th October and the past week on life support he passed away on Tuesday when the life support was wound back. The old bast*rd fought to the end but alas determination cannot always prevail. I sat with him for the last 4 days for about 2 - 3 hours each morning and night. (the hospital staff were magnificent the way they looked after him and put up with me at 6 am or 11 pm after spending the day on the farm helping him out)
I shed a tear, had a sook then realised that he's at peace now - reunited with his brother who was also his best mate.
Thursday - So we buried him Thursday morning and a huge crowd turned up with a do at the pub afterwards. A great finish to a sad event. More cups of tea.
Friday - Off to the Solicitors on Friday at 4pm to hand in the financial papers (bank statements, superannuation, investments etc) they asked me to collect and bring in. The solicitor told me to come in handed me a copy of the will, i sat down and you could have knocked me off the chair with a feather when i was told the farm had been left to me. Another person received some cash but basically he left most to me. I didnt know what to say, do, think, i was absolutely flabagasted, i didnt do any of this for gain i did it to help a bloke that needed help, never expecting anything in return.
So what am i going to do now my life has changed from renting a house, spending all my spare time helping my old mate to owning the bloody thing and a brain so spun out that it doesnt seem to register what has happened.
Saturday - i get up ring my mate who drove me out to the farm and had a look around with me, gave me his thoughts on the house and other things, and back home to Balarat for a cup of tea. Phone rings and my SIL says my daughter has just given me my first grandchild Ashley/Ashlee Jaide/Jade/Jayde (no bloogy idea yet.) both her and mum well.
So how was your week - mundane i bet.
Cheers all from the confused one - tell him he's dreamin!!!!!!!!!!!