My name is Michelle. Recently (Very Suddenly) my dad was put on hospice. He has been really sick with all these different infections that people get, but not as easily as he did, and on top of those major infections he already had Congestive heart failure, Chronic Kidney disease, a stage 4 pressure ulcer wound that goes all the way to the bone on his butt, and a bone marrow disorder. This last infection, his heart and kidneys just couldn't take the infection and there wasn't anything else the Doctors could fo other than keep him comfortable and refer him to hospice. My dad told me after being in the hospital for another 2 weeks that if I let him die in the hospital he will haunt me. (Lol, my dad has a sense of humor like that). I assured him I would make sure, no more hospitals, and no more facilities. We came home and met hospice the next night.

It has been since 10/4 when he was hospitalized and 2 weeks on Sunday since Hospice. It is a 24/7, 7 days a week job. I have had to leave my job within the medical industry, I ran out of FMLA for family due to all of the time needed since October 2020. My dad was semi retired up until he got sick. I would do anything for my dad, he has been my rock through out life! He has taught me so much and I am not sure how I will live without him when the time comes.

My dad has ALWAYS been a fighter, so strong! He has bounced back from every illness, and before this one he was doing so amazing! We thought he was finally getting over the weird infections. Then 10/4/21, he fell at home and was ambulanced with a high fever, in horrible condition. I thought for sure he would bounce back, he always has! But I guess he's too tired. It all took it's toll. Now I am his fulltime caregiver. It breaks my heart everyday. He's in so much pain, his mind is going fast, and his hearing. He can no longer walk. It's so heartbreaking seeing the man who has always been so strong and your life hero, be so vulnerable. I love this man with all my heart! And I am doing what any daughter should do for their father.

My dad is a Vietnam Vet, that was NEVER given one benefit from the VA. He tried once when he first got Honorable Discharged when he got wounded by being shot in the leg in his chopper. He was a Helicopter Gunman. He to this day still has nightmares.

He went to work at NASSCO, where he was a welder on the big ships, and ended up with carpal tunnel (21 total surgeries between both hands, wrists, and elbows). Work comp said he was only 10% disabled, he can learn to work without his hands..

So my dad ended up working and doing whatever he could, until he got hired for a seasonal position at NurseryLand Garden Center. He was the Christmas tree guy. My dad LOVED it! Working with plants and trees. Well they kept him on. They saw how hard he worked and knew he was a keeper. Nurseryland became Armstrong Garden Center and he worked there for 25 years. He has had so many of his amazing coworkers come and visit with him. They were like family and he loved his job and the people he worked with.

My dads final wishes are to be cremated and have his ashed spead at the family deer hunting campsite in Utah that my dad grew up going hunting with his dad. They had they same spot every deer season. That was his place doing what he loved.

Any help you can provide due to the fast curcumstances of my dad going on hospice and me having to leave my job to care for him would be greatly appreciated! I never thought this eould happen so soon in life or I would have prepared a lot better. Either way I am doing this for my dad, things will just get extremely difficult.