Charles Zacour Funeral Expenses
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Charlene Zacour, daughter of Charles (Chuck) Bryant Zacour. Growing up my Dad and I were unable to have a relationship for many reasons; primarily due to his poor choices. However, as I reached adulthood and had children of my own, my father and I were able to rekindle a relationship.
Dad had two more children after me, both boys, now ages six and five; putting twenty-four years between us. He also helped raise a young lady who is now thirteen; who I consider my little sister.
In October of 2019 he needed to have open-heart surgery which brought us closer than I had ever thought possible. I was worried I was going to lose him during this surgery and spent every second I could in the hospital with my two children. His recovery was slow, but he finally received the “all clear” from his doctors 4 – 5 month later.
The year that followed his open-heart surgery, we spent more and more time together continuing to build on our father daughter relationship, and allowing the “youngsters” to do the same. One year after his open-heart surgery the country is faced with COVID-19, so we celebrated Halloween in the back-yard with games for the kids and a movie, a great time was had by all.
On December 6, 2020 I went about my day with my children as normal even talking with Dad; nothing seemed out of the norm. I had no clue that my world along with my siblings was about to change drastically within hours.
Accounts from my littler sister that afternoon was that Dad fell while getting some coffee and then again on the porch; which was when she called 911. A Firefighter that responded with the Paramedics to the 911 call asked her call me so that he could update me with what had transpired, where they were transporting Dad and requested that I pick my siblings up.
Being his first born, and his DPOA I was left to make very difficult medical decision. I was in shock, lost and the hospitals locked down to visitors because of COVID. The urge to go to the hospital was overwhelming; I just wanted to be there with him, calm him, hold his hand, tell him to fight; but I couldn’t – so I took to Facebook to keep everyone updated and help keep myself busy.
The phone call finally came from the Physician at the Emergency Room; they believe he was suffering a stroke, and needed to run test to confirm and treat him. I gave the okay to do what they needed to get it done, I was then able to talk with him by video to encourage him to allow the testing. Testing confirmed the stroke, he was then transported to the main Hospital to undergo surgery to attempt to remove the blood clot in his brain. They attempted to retrieve the clot 3 or 4 times; it was unsuccessful.
On December 7th the doctors informed me that he required another surgery to release the pressure in his brain; removing part of his right skull. This procedure was successful.
December 8th Dad is able to wiggle his toes and fingers on his right side, all signs are showing that he was going to be paralyzed on his left side. They continued to do MRI’s to see how the bleeding in his brain was doing and that the pressure is still being relieved. He was heavily sedated from surgery and on a ventilator; although I was told he was doing most of the work with little help from the ventilator.
December 9th his nurse informed me that they were going to slowly bring him out of sedation. December 14th the hospital had planed on removing the ventilator but found that he now had phenomena, medication was given to help break it up. I was then informed on December 17th that he also had an infection, so an antibiotic drip was given and the sedation was also turned back up.
Dad was able to get the ventilator removed on December 19th and he started coughing up all the junk. He required oxygen but was doing better. The nurse took the phone to my Dad and I told him that I loved him, I received a very faint hi, which was confirmed by the nurse reading his lips. On the 20th my siblings and I were able to see him by video for a very short time, he recognized all of us. I was also informed on this day that in his last MRI, it showed two brain bleeds. And they needed further medical directions in case his heart stopped. A lengthy conservation was had about the possibilities of his quality of life… needless to say, there was a big misunderstanding on what was communicated and I was able to get into the hospital with my Mom on December 21st to talk face to face with his doctors. After the misunderstanding was cleared up, I was able to visit with my Dad. I held his hand, told him I loved him, and just sat with him while the nurses tended to his needs. I also learned this day that dad had a blood clot in his right lung. His heart rate was elevated and he was on a heparin drip to help with the blood clot.
On December 23rd Dad’s heart rate was at 140 and was moved back to ICU and a ventilator was put back in. His blood sugar was over 200 and was put on an insulin drip, at this time the heparin had not helped with the blood clot in his lung. And the infection in his chest has not cleared.
At 10:40 am, December 24th Dad could no longer fight and his body let go, and he passed away.
My heart hurts along with my siblings and I am left to figure out how to take care of his cremation. I share this story so those that knew him, knew he fought hard, and to know that I now need your help. I’m a single Mom of two, currently not employed due to COVID, and my Dad had no savings.
I’m desperately asking for your help to pay for his cremation. I need to do this for him, he deserves a proper cremation.
Any amount raised over our goal amount will be put into a savings account for his sons and grandchildren.
With all my love,
Charlene Zacour
Dad had two more children after me, both boys, now ages six and five; putting twenty-four years between us. He also helped raise a young lady who is now thirteen; who I consider my little sister.
In October of 2019 he needed to have open-heart surgery which brought us closer than I had ever thought possible. I was worried I was going to lose him during this surgery and spent every second I could in the hospital with my two children. His recovery was slow, but he finally received the “all clear” from his doctors 4 – 5 month later.
The year that followed his open-heart surgery, we spent more and more time together continuing to build on our father daughter relationship, and allowing the “youngsters” to do the same. One year after his open-heart surgery the country is faced with COVID-19, so we celebrated Halloween in the back-yard with games for the kids and a movie, a great time was had by all.
On December 6, 2020 I went about my day with my children as normal even talking with Dad; nothing seemed out of the norm. I had no clue that my world along with my siblings was about to change drastically within hours.
Accounts from my littler sister that afternoon was that Dad fell while getting some coffee and then again on the porch; which was when she called 911. A Firefighter that responded with the Paramedics to the 911 call asked her call me so that he could update me with what had transpired, where they were transporting Dad and requested that I pick my siblings up.
Being his first born, and his DPOA I was left to make very difficult medical decision. I was in shock, lost and the hospitals locked down to visitors because of COVID. The urge to go to the hospital was overwhelming; I just wanted to be there with him, calm him, hold his hand, tell him to fight; but I couldn’t – so I took to Facebook to keep everyone updated and help keep myself busy.
The phone call finally came from the Physician at the Emergency Room; they believe he was suffering a stroke, and needed to run test to confirm and treat him. I gave the okay to do what they needed to get it done, I was then able to talk with him by video to encourage him to allow the testing. Testing confirmed the stroke, he was then transported to the main Hospital to undergo surgery to attempt to remove the blood clot in his brain. They attempted to retrieve the clot 3 or 4 times; it was unsuccessful.
On December 7th the doctors informed me that he required another surgery to release the pressure in his brain; removing part of his right skull. This procedure was successful.
December 8th Dad is able to wiggle his toes and fingers on his right side, all signs are showing that he was going to be paralyzed on his left side. They continued to do MRI’s to see how the bleeding in his brain was doing and that the pressure is still being relieved. He was heavily sedated from surgery and on a ventilator; although I was told he was doing most of the work with little help from the ventilator.
December 9th his nurse informed me that they were going to slowly bring him out of sedation. December 14th the hospital had planed on removing the ventilator but found that he now had phenomena, medication was given to help break it up. I was then informed on December 17th that he also had an infection, so an antibiotic drip was given and the sedation was also turned back up.
Dad was able to get the ventilator removed on December 19th and he started coughing up all the junk. He required oxygen but was doing better. The nurse took the phone to my Dad and I told him that I loved him, I received a very faint hi, which was confirmed by the nurse reading his lips. On the 20th my siblings and I were able to see him by video for a very short time, he recognized all of us. I was also informed on this day that in his last MRI, it showed two brain bleeds. And they needed further medical directions in case his heart stopped. A lengthy conservation was had about the possibilities of his quality of life… needless to say, there was a big misunderstanding on what was communicated and I was able to get into the hospital with my Mom on December 21st to talk face to face with his doctors. After the misunderstanding was cleared up, I was able to visit with my Dad. I held his hand, told him I loved him, and just sat with him while the nurses tended to his needs. I also learned this day that dad had a blood clot in his right lung. His heart rate was elevated and he was on a heparin drip to help with the blood clot.
On December 23rd Dad’s heart rate was at 140 and was moved back to ICU and a ventilator was put back in. His blood sugar was over 200 and was put on an insulin drip, at this time the heparin had not helped with the blood clot in his lung. And the infection in his chest has not cleared.
At 10:40 am, December 24th Dad could no longer fight and his body let go, and he passed away.
My heart hurts along with my siblings and I am left to figure out how to take care of his cremation. I share this story so those that knew him, knew he fought hard, and to know that I now need your help. I’m a single Mom of two, currently not employed due to COVID, and my Dad had no savings.
I’m desperately asking for your help to pay for his cremation. I need to do this for him, he deserves a proper cremation.
Any amount raised over our goal amount will be put into a savings account for his sons and grandchildren.
With all my love,
Charlene Zacour
Organizer
Dawn Martz
Organizer
Tucson, AZ