My Dad's Cremation & Memorial Fund
Donation protected
My dad George Garza, graduate of University of Texas at Austin, attendee of University of Michigan Law school, and MS recipient from University of Liverpool (chosen because he loved the Beatles), trained as a network software enginineer and worked as an instructor in computer operation, and is a published author of Tiger Guide for Laptops. He is a lover of Microsoft computers, Humanism, philosophy, technology, astronomy, quantum physics, history, Jack Chalker science fiction novels, Star Trek, X-Files, the Beatles, Beethoven, political debates, dogs, and movies. He moved to Texas a few years back when the economy in Michigan tanked a few months after buying a new house and being unable to find a good, local paying job in the tech industry. Wishing to support the family, he chose to work and support the family from afar, sending all his money home each month while living in a meager apartment. Six months ago he lost his job and started a new one, only he had lost all his benefits including his life insurance. His new job benefits did not kick in for another 6 months and he is 6 months from retirement. The impending future could not have been predicted.
On Feb 3rd my dad went to urgent care for not being able to walk following general anesthesia and having a tooth removed the week prior. The urgent care transported him the hospital for severe blood clots in both legs and atrial fibrillation. He had surgery to remove the clots, but suffered a massive stroke afterward. Desperate attempts were being made by my mom to get him flown home to Michigan for rehab when he had a second massive stroke and hospice or palliative care became the only options that remained.
Our family has driven and flown in from all across the country to be with our dad as he lay dying. Coworkers and former students visited, family called and skyped, and many family have slept at the hospital with him round the clock at his bedside or slept on the floor of his apartment for weeks when we first thought there was hope for recovery. So many people have been so kind.
As I sit here typing this now, I am listening to my father's deep, ragged breathing as he lay slowly dying on the hospital bed a few feet from me. We have been told he has a few hours to days left to live. Although we have an endless supply of love, we do not have sufficient means to support his cremation ($1000 approx) and the flood of medical bills soon to arrive (10-30% of 3 weeks in ICU) along with the remaining bills to support the household to keep my mom from losing her home, and to help get her back home to Michigan again following my dad's passing. Any support would be a kindness and a relief for my family as we approach the next stage of grief.
On Feb 3rd my dad went to urgent care for not being able to walk following general anesthesia and having a tooth removed the week prior. The urgent care transported him the hospital for severe blood clots in both legs and atrial fibrillation. He had surgery to remove the clots, but suffered a massive stroke afterward. Desperate attempts were being made by my mom to get him flown home to Michigan for rehab when he had a second massive stroke and hospice or palliative care became the only options that remained.
Our family has driven and flown in from all across the country to be with our dad as he lay dying. Coworkers and former students visited, family called and skyped, and many family have slept at the hospital with him round the clock at his bedside or slept on the floor of his apartment for weeks when we first thought there was hope for recovery. So many people have been so kind.
As I sit here typing this now, I am listening to my father's deep, ragged breathing as he lay slowly dying on the hospital bed a few feet from me. We have been told he has a few hours to days left to live. Although we have an endless supply of love, we do not have sufficient means to support his cremation ($1000 approx) and the flood of medical bills soon to arrive (10-30% of 3 weeks in ICU) along with the remaining bills to support the household to keep my mom from losing her home, and to help get her back home to Michigan again following my dad's passing. Any support would be a kindness and a relief for my family as we approach the next stage of grief.
Organizer
Megan Garza
Organizer
Caledonia, MI
