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greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
Sat Oct 23, 2021, 10:42 PM Oct 2021

My 41-year-old nephew died suddenly yesterday.

Tom was a firefighter and paramedic in a Chicago suburb. He had been married for 14 years and had a 13-year-old son, as well as four grown stepchildren.

He had some sort of fall at home, I still don't know the details. But he hit his head on something and had a big gash from it. His wife tried to get him to go to the ER, but he refused. That happened on Thursday.

Yesterday, he collapsed at home. His wife called the ambulance. His heart stopped while the paramedics were there, but they brought him back. At the hospital, a trauma surgeon determined that it was a massive TBI and that he'd suffered a serious brain bleed and he wouldn't survive.

His wife, son, parents and one of his two sisters were with him when they shut off whatever life supports they had put him on. The mayor of the town he worked for, his fire chief and many of his fellow firefighters also were on hand. The support was amazing.

This is devastating because it was so unexpected and so fast. He had survived cancer 13 years ago with no recurrence. He was strong, he was healthy, he had years ahead of him.

I last saw him three weeks ago tonight. We talked about the future. Now he has none. Thanks for listening.

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My 41-year-old nephew died suddenly yesterday. (Original Post) greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 OP
Oh no, I'm so sorry DUgosh Oct 2021 #1
Thanks. We're all in a state of disbelief. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #9
My condolences to you. This is so sad. Nt spooky3 Oct 2021 #2
Thanks so much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #10
I am so sorry to hear this. Irish_Dem Oct 2021 #3
Thanks. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #11
Oh my. MontanaMama Oct 2021 #4
Thanks, MM. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #15
I am so very sorry. nt CottonBear Oct 2021 #5
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #16
My deepest sympathy Rorey Oct 2021 #6
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #17
I am sorry your family is going through this. AJT Oct 2021 #7
Thanks for your kind words and stating it so perfectly. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #19
What a horrible thing to happen. Equomba Oct 2021 #8
Thanks so much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #20
oh no! Kali Oct 2021 #12
Thanks, it's all so difficult to comprehend. And senseless. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #22
This hurts my heart greatly. I'm so, so sorry. So very tragic sprinkleeninow Oct 2021 #13
Thank you. My heart is hurting, too. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #23
I'm so sorry, greataunt.. Cha Oct 2021 #14
Thanks, Cha. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #24
I am so very sorry for your incredible loss. Sending vibes for healing and peace for niyad Oct 2021 #18
Thanks for the healing vibes. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #25
I am so sorry. Solly Mack Oct 2021 #21
It sure can, and I know that you've been through such a lot recently. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #26
So sad to hear this, my heart is with you. cayugafalls Oct 2021 #27
Thanks. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #30
So very sorry! AwakeAtLast Oct 2021 #28
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #31
Sad. You can't mess around with head injuries... Wounded Bear Oct 2021 #29
No, you can't. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #32
Perhaps, but the career he was in always has the danger of the macho attitude... Wounded Bear Oct 2021 #79
And he did have that attitude. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #93
What a tragedy for all close to him. My condolences to you. kairos12 Oct 2021 #33
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #35
This is such a tragedy. Desert grandma Oct 2021 #34
It's a horrible loss, still hard to accept. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #36
That poor little boy. Demobrat Oct 2021 #37
Yeah, we're all worried about him. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #42
I am so very sorry. Deepest condolences to you and your family. skylucy Oct 2021 #38
Thanks very much. I appreciate your kind words. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #43
Deepest condolences SheltieLover Oct 2021 #39
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #44
Speaking from experience, it might never SheltieLover Oct 2021 #50
I'm so very sorry cate94 Oct 2021 #40
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #45
My thoughts are with you. applegrove Oct 2021 #41
Thank you. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #46
Oh my god, what a terrible tragedy, I feel sooo sorry for his secondwind Oct 2021 #47
It really is a tragedy. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #54
TBI and bipolar - two conditions soldierant Oct 2021 #48
This is a very important point for GAOT SheltieLover Oct 2021 #53
From what I hear, she did her best. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #62
I'm sure she did her best SheltieLover Oct 2021 #65
You are so welcome. soldierant Oct 2021 #119
They sure are dangerous! SheltieLover Oct 2021 #122
She may well be, but her grown children from her first marriage are all coming home. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #56
Was his 13 y/o son present when he refused to go? SheltieLover Oct 2021 #67
I don't know what time it happened. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #69
Poor kiddo. SheltieLover Oct 2021 #70
Really. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #73
My condolences to you and all your family. relayerbob Oct 2021 #49
Thanks for your wishes. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #57
Thanks so much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #64
I'm sorry for your loss vercetti2021 Oct 2021 #51
He was quite a guy -- all 6' 4" of him. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #58
I am so sorry. murielm99 Oct 2021 #52
Thank you. It's a terrible blow. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #59
I'm sorry for your loss MustLoveBeagles Oct 2021 #55
Thank you, it was a shock. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #60
Oh, dear. PoindexterOglethorpe Oct 2021 #61
I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #63
Honestly, my sister and I are not completely hopeful. PoindexterOglethorpe Oct 2021 #66
It's hard enough having a contemporary die. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #71
What a terrible loss for your family. Granny M Oct 2021 #68
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #72
I'm so very sorry! GPV Oct 2021 #74
Thanks so much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #83
I'm so sorry for your loss and so sad as I read this. My livetohike Oct 2021 #75
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #84
My deepest sympathy. sinkingfeeling Oct 2021 #76
I appreciate the thoughts. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #85
I'm so very sorry, GAOT. brer cat Oct 2021 #77
Aside from his youth, it's the suddenness of this that's hard to take. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #87
I am so sorry for your loss, GAOT. sheshe2 Oct 2021 #78
Thanks so much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #88
I'm so sorry for all who loved him. Ilsa Oct 2021 #80
Yes, they should be. And as a paramedic, he knew that. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #89
So sorry to hear this, very sad. George II Oct 2021 #81
Thanks for the thoughts. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #90
My condolences to you and your family. CentralMass Oct 2021 #82
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #91
So sorry for everyone IbogaProject Oct 2021 #86
Thanks so much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #92
A great tragedy. I'm so sorry, Greataunt. Hortensis Oct 2021 #94
Thanks for your wishes. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #95
I am so sorry for your loss LetMyPeopleVote Oct 2021 #96
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #97
greatauntoftriplets.... Upthevibe Oct 2021 #98
Thanks so much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #99
So sorry for your loss JohnSJ Oct 2021 #100
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #104
I'm so incredibly sorry. So tragic. 💔 onecaliberal Oct 2021 #101
Thanks, it's a terrible tragedy. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #105
This is so tragic that I don't even know what to say. femmedem Oct 2021 #102
Surreal is a good way to describe it. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #106
I'm so very sorry, Goddessartist Oct 2021 #103
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #107
So sorry for your loss GAOT mcar Oct 2021 #108
Thank you. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #109
Oh no... BumRushDaShow Oct 2021 #110
Thank you. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #111
Just thinking of you a few days back. What a sad thing to spark a message with. I am so sorry ... marble falls Oct 2021 #112
Thank you. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #115
LG's been busy. marble falls Oct 2021 #130
Deepest sympathy to you and your family greatauntoftriplets malaise Oct 2021 #113
Thanks so much, malaise. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #116
Indeed malaise Oct 2021 #118
That's very true. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #120
I'm so sorry, that's a real shock... CaptainTruth Oct 2021 #114
It really is, thanks. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #117
Oh, great-aunt, I'm so sorry. There are no words for this sueh Oct 2021 #121
Thanks so much for the vibes. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #124
I am so sorry wryter2000 Oct 2021 #123
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #126
I'm so sorry! calimary Oct 2021 #125
Thanks. It's good to not feel so alone. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #127
This is so sad. I am so sorry. My condolences to his family and friends. LoisB Oct 2021 #128
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #129
I'm very sorry for your loss dlk Oct 2021 #131
Thank you for the wishes. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #132
You're welcome dlk Oct 2021 #133
Words can't even start mahina Oct 2021 #134
You're absolutely correct. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #135
Very tragic, so sorry, my condolences, babylonsister Oct 2021 #136
Thanks very much. I appreciate your kind words. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #137
I'm so sorry for your loss. live love laugh Oct 2021 #138
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #142
I'm so sorry for your loss. yardwork Oct 2021 #139
Thanks, yardwork. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #143
Life can be unbelievably cruel sometimes. yardwork Oct 2021 #150
This is definitely one of those instances. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #151
I am so sorry UpInArms Oct 2021 #140
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #144
Your post has brought tears to my eyes. I am so sorry. Doodley Oct 2021 #141
That's so nice. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #145
I am so sorry. Susan Calvin Oct 2021 #146
Thanks very much. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #148
I'm sorry to hear this. SpankMe Oct 2021 #147
They definitely should not defer treatment. greatauntoftriplets Oct 2021 #149

AJT

(5,240 posts)
7. I am sorry your family is going through this.
Sat Oct 23, 2021, 10:50 PM
Oct 2021

A sudden death is shocking and hard to wrap your head around. I lost my husband suddenly and I am still lost after 3 years. For his son to lose his male role model during his early teens is devastating. It is a comfort that the family has a support system. Again, I am so sorry for your families pain.

greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
19. Thanks for your kind words and stating it so perfectly.
Sat Oct 23, 2021, 10:59 PM
Oct 2021

Please accept my condolences for the loss of your husband.

 

Equomba

(197 posts)
8. What a horrible thing to happen.
Sat Oct 23, 2021, 10:52 PM
Oct 2021

My wife and I often talk about how we are just one step away from getting hit by the proverbial bus, i.e. who knows what the next day will bring. I have a 36 year old nephew, married with an absolutely incredible daughter... he could be in the running for father of the year. I can't imagine how I would react to such a death, especially when it appears to be a freak accident.

My thoughts are with you.

greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
20. Thanks so much.
Sat Oct 23, 2021, 11:00 PM
Oct 2021

My nephew and his son adored each other. The sun rose and set for them. He's inconsolable right now.

niyad

(119,950 posts)
18. I am so very sorry for your incredible loss. Sending vibes for healing and peace for
Sat Oct 23, 2021, 10:58 PM
Oct 2021

you and your family.

greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
32. No, you can't.
Sat Oct 23, 2021, 11:23 PM
Oct 2021

I have to wonder if his refusal to get what he needed wasn't caused in part by the head injury itself.

Wounded Bear

(60,691 posts)
79. Perhaps, but the career he was in always has the danger of the macho attitude...
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 09:26 AM
Oct 2021

the kind that says 'rub a little dirt on it and get back in the game.'

This is a sad story, especially for all involved who have been left behind.

Desert grandma

(1,053 posts)
34. This is such a tragedy.
Sat Oct 23, 2021, 11:30 PM
Oct 2021

So very sorry for your family's loss. May you find comfort in your love and support of one another.

Demobrat

(9,800 posts)
37. That poor little boy.
Sat Oct 23, 2021, 11:47 PM
Oct 2021

Shocking and heartbreaking for everyone, but adults have had time to learn that terrible things can and do happen. A childhood shouldn’t have to end that way.

So sorry.

greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
42. Yeah, we're all worried about him.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 12:07 AM
Oct 2021

He has two much older half brothers, but both live in California. But it'll never be the same.

My nephew was 12 years younger than his wife, so the ages are a bit weird. Thanks.

SheltieLover

(59,618 posts)
39. Deepest condolences
Sat Oct 23, 2021, 11:52 PM
Oct 2021

So saddened to learn of your tragic loss.

Healing vibes on the way to you & your family. 💓💓💓

SheltieLover

(59,618 posts)
50. Speaking from experience, it might never
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 12:23 AM
Oct 2021

And that might be a good thing. Jury is still out on that here, years later.

My heart just aches for you & your family, especially his son.

Please remember to eat, sleep, and do some deep breathing to stay centered.

I'm here if you want to chat.

secondwind

(16,903 posts)
47. Oh my god, what a terrible tragedy, I feel sooo sorry for his
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 12:10 AM
Oct 2021

wife, you, the entire family …. Wow, life is so fleeting…

You will all be in my prayers

soldierant

(7,903 posts)
48. TBI and bipolar - two conditions
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 12:12 AM
Oct 2021

which carry within themselves as symptoms the resistance to treatment.

They almost seem diabolocal. I hope his widow is not blaming herself for caling an ambulance at the time of the initial injury. She couldn't hve known.

SheltieLover

(59,618 posts)
53. This is a very important point for GAOT
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 12:27 AM
Oct 2021

Thank you for bringing this up!

His wife did the best she could at the timd with the information she had.

This will go a long way towards avoiding survivor's guilt.

Ty!

greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
62. From what I hear, she did her best.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 12:58 AM
Oct 2021

But he kept insisting that he would be fine. When the time is right, I'll suggest grief counseling. Thanks.

soldierant

(7,903 posts)
119. You are so welcome.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 03:41 PM
Oct 2021

My 76-year life has been affected many times by people with one or the other of these conditions. They break my heart.

And I am reminded of anti-vaxxers - who, unless you believe their disease is mass psychosis (and it might be) don't have that excuse. But I really don't know what to think of them - except that they are dangerous to those round them.

greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
56. She may well be, but her grown children from her first marriage are all coming home.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 12:34 AM
Oct 2021

I think that we'll all tell her that she shouldn't feel like she did wrong. He told her that he'd refuse to go.

SheltieLover

(59,618 posts)
67. Was his 13 y/o son present when he refused to go?
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 01:18 AM
Oct 2021

It's important for him to grasp that mom made every effort, too.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,727 posts)
61. Oh, dear.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 12:57 AM
Oct 2021

This is beyond sad

Right now my older brother, who is 78 years old, is in hospital with a raging infection. He was supposed to have surgery this morning, removing some masses on a kidney that are probably cancer. At least my brother has lived several decades longer than your nephew.

Such things are devastating.

greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
63. I'm so sorry to hear about your brother.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 01:02 AM
Oct 2021

I hope that they can get the infection under control. Thanks for your kindness. Devastating is the right description.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,727 posts)
66. Honestly, my sister and I are not completely hopeful.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 01:16 AM
Oct 2021

She worked for about 25 years as a compliance auditor, meaning she read medical charts to determine if doctors had made the correct diagnoses or inputs of various procedures. As a consequence, she has a very vast knowledge of medical stuff, even if she is not a doctor herself.

78 is getting up there, but not so old these days.

I am one of six children. So far, a sister died in 2017 at age 70. A brother died at the end of December last year, age 71. I know that in the normal course of events we will all pass on, but honestly, it's a bit strange to be losing my brothers and sisters.

Hugs to you.

greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
71. It's hard enough having a contemporary die.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 01:25 AM
Oct 2021

But when it's the younger generation, it's hard to take.

Hugs to you.

livetohike

(22,971 posts)
75. I'm so sorry for your loss and so sad as I read this. My
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 05:51 AM
Oct 2021

sympathy to you and the family. May the love and support of family and friends comfort you and May the memories of your nephew and the stories you will all tell keep him alive in your heart .

Ilsa

(62,241 posts)
80. I'm so sorry for all who loved him.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 10:38 AM
Oct 2021

Noted to remember: Head trauma should always be checked out for bleeds, shifting mass, etc.

femmedem

(8,444 posts)
102. This is so tragic that I don't even know what to say.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 01:02 PM
Oct 2021

I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss. It must feel surreal. Devastating but surreal.

BumRushDaShow

(142,403 posts)
110. Oh no...
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 01:42 PM
Oct 2021

Just seeing this. So sorry to hear this and it is so tragic. Am sending my condolences to his family.

marble falls

(62,079 posts)
112. Just thinking of you a few days back. What a sad thing to spark a message with. I am so sorry ...
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 02:13 PM
Oct 2021

... for your family.

I also hope your foot is better. We don't run into to each other much lately, but I do think of you!

greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
115. Thank you.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 03:03 PM
Oct 2021

Just saw that the wake is on Thursday, which is also the triplets' 21st birthday. And seven hours of it! That's probably because of the firefighter angle.

The foot is much better, thanks. I hope that you're doing better as well. I think of you as well. Maybe we'll both be back in MIRT soon.

sueh

(1,871 posts)
121. Oh, great-aunt, I'm so sorry. There are no words for this
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 03:51 PM
Oct 2021

sudden tragedy. I'm sending healing vibes to you and your family. (((hugs)))

calimary

(84,340 posts)
125. I'm so sorry!
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 05:06 PM
Oct 2021

So sad to hear.

Thank you for sharing this with us. I hope you know that lots of us here are sharing your grief. What with COVID and the advancing years, almost every one of us has been touched by sorrow and loss. So we can empathize as well as sympathize. You won't be mourning alone.

mahina

(18,942 posts)
134. Words can't even start
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 06:37 PM
Oct 2021

To hold this.

Thank you for telling us about him.

I’ll be thinking of you all, and him. Aloha.

greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
135. You're absolutely correct.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 06:42 PM
Oct 2021

He was lucky enough to be stationed in Hawaii during his Army years. Loved it there.

yardwork

(64,377 posts)
139. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 07:58 PM
Oct 2021

A friend of mine died the same way. He hit his head and didn't think anything of it. A few days later he died suddenly. It turned out to be internal bleeding in his brain.

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

greatauntoftriplets

(176,856 posts)
143. Thanks, yardwork.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 08:41 PM
Oct 2021

I'm sorry about your friend. The moral of the story is don't screw around with head injuries.

Susan Calvin

(2,099 posts)
146. I am so sorry.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 09:03 PM
Oct 2021

I was going to say a bunch more about me, and how I relate to this, but that's not what you need right now. I am just so sorry.

SpankMe

(3,250 posts)
147. I'm sorry to hear this.
Sun Oct 24, 2021, 09:08 PM
Oct 2021

Wife, kid, step-kids...it's a big loss.

People must not defer treatment for potential brain injury.

Bless you and bless the family.

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