My Dads Death On Monday The 11th Of June, 2007 Why you should get checked for this

[BooZker 0]

My dad was only 43 when he died. I want people to know how he died and how horrible it was because you need to get checked for this.At 5:30 ish am my mother heard my dads alarm clock going off repeatedly. This was normally a hint my father would give for my mother to do upstairs to cuddle or talk (they slept in seperate rooms because he snored). She walked up the stairs to his room with the clock buzzing over and over again. What she walked into was the worst thing a wife of almost 25 years could see.When she walked in she saw my father, her husband, on the floor belly first face to the side. His arms were stretched in front and legs in the back in a frog like stance, but laying down. His tongue was bitten down on so hard it blead. He was all purple because of how he died. My mother walked, yes walked, into my little brothers room saying,"You dad is having breathing problems im calling 911, but stay in here." She knew he had passed, but she didnt want to scare him. She ran downstairs and grabbed a phone. Went into my room and said "Oscar get up. I need you to help me." I left my room going up the first flight of stairs, i thought something had happened to my baby brothers or sister, but we turned the opposite way. Up the next flight of stairs i thought my brothers friend had something happened to him. He spent the night, but we turned the final turn. I saw his door. It was cracked open. I could see the foot of his bed, but no feet sticking up. Everything was in slow motion. The light coming from his window was shining through the door way so bright and glittering. I knew then... my dad was very bad, but i couldnt see him.I entered the room and saw him. I dont remember what i said or did at first. I knew he was dead. I looked at my mom and she said i have to call 911 now. I dont remember that call much either. I do remember this though, My mom wanted to turn him over because we both knew he wouldnt have wanted to be seen like that. I said no at first. I couldnt touch him, it wasnt him. It didnt look like him. I have never seen him sick all the almost 17 years i knew him. I couldnt believe it, but i knew. She said i had to, we have to do this. I walked over and grabbed his leg.His leg was so cold. It was purple and stiff. His skin felt tight around his body. His eyes were blood shot because the veins had popped. My dad weighed about 230 lbs and he had always told me dead weight weighed a lot, but i just lifted him up. He was as light as a feather. Over he went. Then the worst of this... My dad said when people died like that they have air in their lungs still, but once you flip them it leaves. When we flipped him he released his last breath. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah he went. That was the worst thing in the world. A tiny bit of me was saying he can be saved, but i knew he couldnt. His arms legs and everything were still in the same position because he was stiff. The fireman came and everything and took him away.What did he die of? He died from an elarged heart. That is rare and undetectable unless you ASK for them to look for that. Only ONE test can find it. Only 2% of people with enlarged hearts die instantly like my dad died, but this can be toally stopped with meds. IF YOU GET IT CHECKED. No one ever thought this could happen to him because he was SO healthy. Even worse, this is rare but, 50% of offspring get it and it never dies of the years. If i dont have it my children can. He was purple from the blood going to the bottom of his body.You need this checked before 30 or else a pace maker will be needed.This is the worst thing in the world, but it could have been prevented. Get your heart checked for this!

[Saint_Michael 3]

I am so sorry for your lost booze, man I only could imagine how slow time must have been when your father on the floor. You are correct that it is a rare heart condition for someone to have these days, thoughts and prayers to you and your family booz.

[velma 6]

Hi,I am really sorry about your dad's loss and I know how it feels to lose a loved one. I lost my grandfather recently and I know how it feels for when he passed away he was trying to stand up. My mom could not bare the sight of my grand dad like that so me and my bro had to move my grandpa into a sleeping position and it was tough for he was 6.1 feet and all stiff.It is quite difficult to be there at that time but then you have to do it as you are the only one who can help. Kudos to your mom for being so strong and handling the situation so beautifully. Hope you guys are doing great :)Anyway about the test Is there any link where maybe members can read upon the issue or maybe a specific doctor who can provide with the information. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.

[sylenzednuke 0]

Well, I feel really sorry for this and I know exactly how he must've died, 'cause my Mom is having an enlarged heart too, but she's doing well with medicines and we got it checked early enough for 17% of her heart to still be working properly. Now 53% of her heart is working after 2 years and it'll be more than 70% in another year and then she's completely safe.Good thing your Mom never told you younger brother about this at that moment, he might've got scared, my Mom never told me for a week that my great grand mother died at the age of 97! But it's good to see how your Mother handled the situation very well.Hope you guys carry on very well even after his departure. Good luck!

[jlhaslip 4]

Like the previous posters, I, too, am sending you my regrets and condolences.Life is a precious commodity. Death is the price we pay for the life we receive. There is no doubt that this has, and will continue to have, an impact on you and your family. Don't be afraid to consult a counselor in order to handle your grief. Everyone reacts differently to situations like this and having to post this report is a step in the right direction. Be prepared to talk openly about your experience so that you can resolve any difficulties. This community will never replace your Dad, but we can be here to listen to your concerns and give what advise we can offer to assist in allowing you to vent your emotions. My sympathies go out to you and your family.

[Imtay22 0]

Aww man, sorry, dude. I will tell my parents about this and have them get checked, whether they want to or not. I will send my prayers to your family. Sorry.

[Ridwan sameer 0]

I feel sorry for you booze.I don't know really how it might be to loose a father but i do know it will be terrible. This uct've been tragicfor you.And you had the courage to post it just so you can warn others. Man you have a good heart. It must have been horrifying knowing your dad was dead and that too time moving slowly for you in that period of time. When This happen?Well anyway my regards and good wishes to your family booze. And prayers as well-Ridwan

Edited June 15, 2007 by Ridwan sameer (see edit history)

[midnightvamp 1]

I'm very sorry to hear about this. My prayers are with you and your family.... And thank you for sending out the warning to everyone, because like most people, I really didn't know anything about the dangers of having an enlarged heart. In fact, I hadn't really even thought about it at all until we learned that my father's heart is somewhat larger than it should be. He never would have known about his heart being that way if he wasn't just in the hospital for having surgery on the veins in his heart. He just came home a week and a half ago after having the operation. Luckily, he's recovering well though he'll be staying a home for a while yet before he can really do too much, but like you, I think it's very important to go to the doctors to make sure that everything is okay, even if you don't feel bad.The scary thing for me is, that my dad felt perfectly fine and healthy like your father did, and within a month or so (after a bunch of tests) he was in surgery because they had to rush him in once the tests were finished... I don't think we would have been so lucky if he had waited until he felt bad, if he ever even felt bad, because things can happen so suddenly.So, again, thank you for reminding everyone just how important it is to get checked at the doctors and I'm very sorry for your loss. You're very brave to be able to speak of what happened to help the rest of us. My thoughts are with you.

[serverph 0]

it's sad to hear about your loss in the family, boozker. our prayers go not only for your dad, but for you all. hope you can remain strong for your mom and your siblings even in these trying times in your lives.

[BooZker 0]

My dad's face and fingers swelled over the years, but we thought it was fat. We thought because he drank beer he got that. Also, the night before he died while cleaning after dinner he told us about a dream he had that he was in a plane underwater and all of sudden he wasnt in the plane anymore, but he was drowning. He said it was so real... because it was. Read below.

Warning SignsCardiomyopathy triggers a set of what Dr. Choi calls "five cardinal symptoms" that should be taken seriously:
Dizziness, light-headedness, and fainting due to obstruction
Dyspnea - water stagnating in lungs, resulting in breathlessness after only mild exertion or even while resting
Edema - mild swelling of the feet and ankles caused by fluid buildup
Angina - chest pain
Palpitations or other signs of an irregular heartbeat

The symptoms may vary depending on the precise location of obstructions created by the thickened heart muscle, says Dr. Choi. "The sites of the obstruction determine the symptoms," he notes.

If symptoms are present, heart specialists can conduct a battery of tests, including an echocardiogram (also called ECG or EKG), to check for the existence of muscle thickening and to determine the exact size of the heart chamber.

[AlucarDez 0]

Man, really really sorry about your father, its hard to understand this situations, but you have to be strong in this life, becouse life its hard.... My condolenses......

[zak92 0]

So sorry for your loss man I hope your dad was a good man and maybe what happened was for the better. I can't say i know how you feel because even my grandparents a alive so I haven't experienced death so close up but I would like to give my condolences and would like to tell your mom to keep faith in the one god and just hang on.

[Mich 0]

Wow, what a tragedy. You have my condolences and sympathy for your loss. Give your mother a hug for me. I don't know what else to say to you. Perhaps this will help somewhat. It will take courage to face this world without your father, but God will be with you all. BTW my grandmother, who raised me until I was 6, passed from an enlarged heart long before they had medication for this condition.

Edit: So your dad was a firefighter. What an honorable occupation. My daugher is also a volunteer firefighter for the small village where she lives. I am certain that the family fund will provide all five of you children with proper educations. People will be very willing to donate for the children of such a public service minded person as your dad. Good Luck in the future.

Edited June 19, 2007 by Mich (see edit history)

[TypoMage 0]

Wow! Sorry bout that. How scared must you have been or sad angry I feel bad about your loss. It could happen to anyone. I feel bad for your brother too. And did you say you have brothers and sisters? I feel bad for everyone in your family.R.I.P.

[husker 0]

Wow, no one your age should have to deal with something like that. You know it could have been prevented, but so can so many others things so don't feel bad that you didn't do anything to prevent it. Just bad luck is all I can say. You'll be in my prayers.Best of luck to you and your family