News of my death are
Not exaggerated. Yesterday I died (as posted by his wife), apparently peacefully and in little to no pain, while sleeping.
On Wednesday, Kirk was given a new pain medication script. Since he was in quite a lot of pain for quite a while, he chose to take the last of his hoarded stash of pain pills that he had received nearly two months prior, when discharged from the long term stay Nursing/rehab facility he had been in for months. He had recently also been experiencing more issues with waking up while sleeping, due to problems breathing, caused by sleep apnea. He had just taken a sleep study which confirmed that he needed a bi-pap, but it would take a week or two (at the time) before they would be able to get the results to a doctor, so that he could get a new machine. It's my opinion that, due to the small amount of pain pills that he took, he became so relaxed (from lack of pain) that he was unable to wake up when he stopped breathing while sleeping. I was dozing in a chair nearby, and thought it strange that it was so quiet. However, I was so tired that I ended up falling back to sleep before investigating. It wasn't until I woke up a second time and it was still too quiet. I became alarmed and checked on him. It was too late, he had been dead too long for emergency personnel to revive him.
I have located a recent video and picture of him, peacefully smiling at me a very special smile that he reserved for me alone. The video was regarding a power chair he was going to return, but it's a voice and image that I can keep forever to remember him by. I still don't know what I'm going to do, but I at least have the comfort of knowing that I can likely get assistance with getting him cremated. A friend of ours has already offered to let me stay with him while I get myself stabilized, so my cats and I have a roof when our rent comes due for July. I hope that Kirk has been helpful to people in this thread, and anyone is welcome to link this to any thread where this would be of interest.
= new reply since forum marked as read
There are no words. 
Wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
RIP
Kirk
Last edited Sat Jun 6, 2015, 05:54 PM - Edit history (1)
You were right there with him...that must have meant the world to Kirk.
Wishing you some peace and rest in the coming days. Caring for someone so ill takes a hugh toll that only later becomes apparent.
Rest, and know you were loved. DU will miss your dear friend also.
godspeed Kirk.
Peace to you and all of Kirk's family and friends.
Peace for Kirk
Peace on your journey, Kirk.
And for you, his life partner, thank you for sharing this with us.
My thoughts are with you and your family
Thank you for letting his friends here know of his passing.
May you be comforted by knowing he is beyond pain now, and may his name be remembered for a blessing.
I am glad you have a friend to help you at this difficult time.
I am glad he was not in pain.
Take care of yourself, :hugs:
peace to you and yours.
Please accept my condolences at this difficult time.
Please take of yourself and your furry friends.
He used to play Rocksmith too, and I'd added him on x-box live. I don't think he liked the same music as me, though, from what I could see of the songs he was doing...
RIP Kirk
My condolences
my heart felt condolences go out to you and all of those that loved him.
While I knew he was in a great deal of pain recently, and had struggled with health issues over the years, I had no idea of this recent turn of events. My heart goes out to you while you are sorting out the myriad of issues and emotions that come with losing someone so precious. He was a very dear friend to me here on DU, as we were mods together for many terms. We also participated in several groups together here on DU and would PM one another, giving one another encouragement in our individual battles with weight. He was always someone who inspired me to stick to it, whatever the battle was. Life had presented him so many challenges, and he always seemed to rise above them, and yet deal with them head on.
His love for you J, was always evident and he felt so blessed by your presence in his life. He was very open about sharing how much joy and happiness and strength you brought to him. He seemed to be a caring and loving man, and I know he treasured your relationship. My heart breaks for you and this loss. Please know that you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. I'm sending you LOTS of hugs.....
I'm so sorry to hear this. Dear Systematic Chaos. All our love. And to his wife - thank you for sharing this most difficult and heart-rending moment of yours with us. You do not mourn alone.
Kirk/Systematic Chaos ...
