Fundraiser-Jim Blood #bloodstrong

Hi Everyone, 
My name is Robbyn Schirmer. I’m Jim’s niece.
Please consider donating if you are able. Thank you!
Here is a recent post from Lisa:

The road so far....
November 2017 Jim Blood, my husband, was having issues with what he thought was heartburn. After switching medications he did feel a little better but still wasn't feeling like he didn't have any energy. The week before Christmas I rushed him to the ER. We found that he was in AFIB. They admitted him to the hospital. From there they found a blockage. They were unable to complete the cardio cath there due to lack of equipment. I took him to The Baylor Heart Hospital. They were able to get it completed and he received a stent along with medication to control the AFIB. The brilliant team of doctors noticed through the multiple chest x-rays that there was something abnormal. A CT scan was done and a mass was discovered in his lungs. A biopsy confirmed small cell lung cancer. Texas Oncology in Plano was on top of it. We started 45 days of radiation therapy and 4 rounds of chemo. The oncology team helped us with filing an FMLA. Upon the expiration of the FMLA time period my husbands employer of 20 years, Reliable Chevrolet in Richardson, TX, terminated his employment. He was the only source of income. I had just returned to the workforce to replace his income while he was battling cancer. I contacted his employer to discuss avoiding a lack of coverage between his benefits and when mine would be in effect with no return call. To Reliable's credit, I will say they paid our portion of the medical insurance for the months of January to March of 2018. To their discredit, they terminated him without notification. Apparently, 20 years of employment from a top of the line employee doesn't earn a phone call, text message, email, or mailed letter. They still send service coupons though. I guess they misplaced out contact information at that point. My in-laws helped with paying for COBRA until my benefits took over. During the lapse of coverage he developed pneumonia delaying a crucial MRI scan. He got rid of the pneumonia and we had the MRI scheduled. The Saturday before the MRI was to be completed, our pitbull Remy, woke me up; alerting me to a grave situation. I found my husband incoherent with labored breathing. The Wylie emergency response team was prompt and quickly got him back to the hospital. The doctors found that he had a seizure. The MRI showed that the cancer had metastisized to his brain. 6 tumors were identified with some on his brain stem. Whole brain radiation therapy was given. He returned home with a few weeks of function. He then was unable to keep food and water down and spent last week in the hospital. Once they were able to restore his sodium levels, he was released to a rehab facility this last Saturday. It wasn't a great place and unfortunately I picked it. I don't want to judge a facility based on two nurses but I didn't feel he was safe in their care. So, I kidnapped him and brought him home 4am Sunday morning. We then utilized Hospice. The team at Faith Presbyterian Hospice was amazing. They quickly got everything needed to bring him home comfort that same Sunday. I stayed home from work Monday to help assist him along with my father in law. He was in good spirits and happy to be home. Sadly, Tuesday morning, he became confused and disoriented. He was back in the hospital and it was not looking good. The family was called and Wednesday morning at 12:33am the Lord took my husband home. He wasn't healed in this life but in the next.

Now, I will update as the family and I are making funeral arrangements. 32 years in the automotive industry, my Jim met so many folks and touched so many lives. I will be aiming for Saturday Sept. 29th with time as late of a time in the afternoon to evening as I can. This will provide those in the industry the opportunity to make his memorial service. From there, he and I have one more journey. I will make the trip to Michigan to scatter his cremated remains in the location he requested.

I guess this is just the rant of a grieving wife. The absolute contempt towards Reliable Chevrolet. Namely the general manager Dave Anderson, HR Jeff Pulford, payroll Stacy Etheridge, and parts manager Wesley Walker. If you don't like what you've read, don't do business with them. My utmost gratitude goes to his team of doctors and nurses: Dr. David Gartenberg, Dr. Sameh Sayfo, Dr. David Prewitt, Dr. Manish Gupta, Dr. James Petrikas, Dr. Avesh Verma, Dr. Alfred Levy, Dr. Abeezar Shipchandler, PA Jennifer Porter, RN Jennifer, and Peanut in radiology. The Wylie Fire and Rescue and EMTs whom responded multiple times throughout the year and always went above an beyond the call of duty. Of course the support and love from family and friends.

I needed to get this out in the light, get this off my chest before proceeding. I know to some folks this may not matter. Some might tell me that we should have sued his employer. Jim did not want to spend what time he had in hatred and in legal battle. He spent his time enjoying online gaming until his body wouldn't let him. He watched youtubers like theRadBrad and DemolitionRanch. Our 3 pitbulls by his side for comfort. We spent time on our patio enjoying the outdoors, talking and remembering better days. I shared the shenanigans from work everyday to where he knew my co-workers without ever having met them. He never lost his sense of humor and fought hard. His concern lay with making sure his family would be okay. A rugged tough man with a heart of gold! I will always love him. Rest in peace my beloved husband! Save me a seat in heaven!