FUBAR Hill Forum

 We found out just after Christmas that my wife's Dad has terminal cancer. He is not expected to last the week, so it is a bit late to be asking for Fubar prayers or wishes...

He signed up with the RCAF during the war when he was only 18. Despite the fact that he wore glasses, he talked the air force into putting him through pilot training. He graduated at the top of his class which condemned him to being an instructor with the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. (if he had done a little bit worse, he would have been sent overseas to fly Mosquitos..which is what he wanted.) He flew everything available and survived two crashes (engine failure and a mid air collision).

Fortunately for me and my family, while stationed at a training base he met a cute blond who worked at the local bank and married her after the war. He stayed in the reserves after the war for several years flying P-51's, Vampires, T-33's and finishing off in the Sabre (which he had taken supersonic a  couple of times) He logged over 4000 hours of military flying, but with a couple of youngsters, and the demands of the family business, he was forced to give it up in the mid fifties. Flying remained a deep rooted passion, though he rarely ever spoke of it.

(http://www.rcfcbc.com/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=841)

He is tickled pink that my son took up the aviation torch. Mike is visiting with him now, and his waking hours (which are few in his weak condition) have been spent talking airplanes and flying. Stories are surfacing that my wife never even knew about. Mike was going to take him up for a last flight (literally) but his deteriorating condition made that impossible.... so the engaging flying conversations are the next best thing.  He has bravely accepted that his body is shutting down and wanted to share his past with Mike...

Thanks for hearing me out guys and gal....it is now a waiting game for the inevitable.....

Things like this tend to choke me up.  But, prayers are sent to your family and father in law.

Sorry to hear, and the prayers coming none the less, if only for the comfort and peace for him and the family.

That's a pretty full history, not just a unique career, but a family as well ,  and now able to see his heirs continue his love and reciprocate the appreciation.  That a pretty awesome gift from Mike, and from him to Mike and the rest who will get to share them from him as well.

Some people live their whole lives and never once get to live their dream, and some are much more fortunate to live the extraordinary, I think he is in the latter.  Gods speed to him nony and I hope you that are left behind for now find comfort in that.

I can't add much to what Ron & Eric have said, Wayne. I'm so sorry.

That your father-in-law has shared his life and experience to the point of being inspirational is indeed a great legacy. You can never lose touch with someone who has acheived so much with his family, no matter how far they fly from you...

Wayne,

My thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

It is wonderful he had the opportunity to share the past with your son. This is a wonderful thing he will always remember.

Thanks guys...It never amazes me how all of you can use exactly the right words to communicate a sense of compassion and understanding.

Your thoughts are truly appreciated.....more than you will know!

Wayne,

Billie Sue and I are so very sorry to hear this.  Please know that we are praying for comfort and peace for your father in law. We are also praying for strength and support for his family.

Carl

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family too. May his passing be peaceful. So grateful he has a family that cares so much.
I am facing a cancer battle right now too. Was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma a few months ago. Had a mastectomy on the 9th of November. Mike made it to Salt Lake for the surgery, back in WA now. I moved to St George, Utah from Salt Lake last month for the chemo and the sun. Mike was able to make it for the first treatment on Dec. 28th. We spent New Years in Las Vegas.
Had second treatment of chemo today. My new mantra is "Bald Is Beautiful"
I share this now because I know the Fubar gang believes in the power of prayer and I want to count you in my prayer army. I am not afraid to die because I KNOW that this is not the end. What doesn't make me happy is a life full of doctor's visits and treatments. This is suppose to last a few months and I figure I need to do this for my kids, grandkids, and of course, Mike. We went to a funeral of one of his school buddies while in Vegas and it was hard on him. He made me promise to not make him sit in a room and look at me in a box. I will do my best.
Thanks guys for always being there...I don't post often but I read every post.
Love to all!
Cynthia

So sorry to hear this Cynthia.  Of course prayers will be prayed for you.  Mike too.

I know what you are going through Cynthia, well the bald thing anyway.  :icon_smile:  My Mom went through chemo almost 2 years ago, and it was miserable for her,  but you do get through it. Hair grows back, so hang in there.  :icon_wink:

Thanks you guys,

I actually have a couple of really cute wigs. The American Cancer society provides them at no cost to chemo patients. This has been a real boost to my morale. I am looking forward to the "growing back even better and maybe curly" part of this. Meanwhile, the time it takes to get ready for the day has drastically reduced and I wasn't even one to primp when it comes to my hair.

Love and all the best to youse guys!

PS How is your mom doing now, Eric?

Shes doing fine now,  they have called her cancer free, and I think she is now down to yearly check ups.

Wayne.  My best to you and your family.  I think your son has given the best gift humanly possible.  It appears the legacy will live on and that is, of course, a very, very good thing.
Cynthia.  I'm kinda ald-new here but may I join the other members in wishing you well and health after you beat this.

We're pulling for a clean bill of health for you up here in the snowbank too, Cynthia.

...But you knew that... :icon_cool:

Wayne and Cynthia - we're pulling for ya'll down here as well.  Best wishes and prayers for all of you...

Cynthia, my best wishes and prayers for you. I know how my family situation will end (just don't know when)....but you still have HOPE.......and a lot of Fubar "guys" pulling for you. You keep doing what you need to be, and we are right behind you...

Now, sit Mikey down in front of a keyboard and get him to drop by here and say "hi" !!

An update on my father-in-law.  There were serious doubts he would make past last weekend. He was extremely weak and couldn't eat anything solid and only a couple of spoonfuls of liquid a day. He was bedridden (obviously) The family moved his bed to the living room so he could look out on the bay.. He slept most of the time, only being awake for maybe a half hour at a time...

This week, he has had some solid food (including ice cream - a family favorite!). One night,  he was sitting up playing a game of scrabble with my mother and law. Since we can't be there, we have be sending him short videos, which he has really enjoyed. Mike did a video on a short (flying) trip between the 2 airports here. They were empty, so his copilot filmed, while Mike narrated, and flew. He did it as if his grandpa was along for the ride...anyways, he sent it off last night, and when my father-in-law woke up at 2 AM this morning, he insisted on seeing it...and watched it 5 or 6 times.

Then amazingly, he got out of bed and walked unassisted across the room!!!

I don't know what is going on, but if you guys are part of the karma that is helping him enjoy a few bonus days, please keep it up. It's working!!!!!

Great news Nony! I will continue the good vibes.

That's great news. Thanks for the update.

The power of Prayer is a strong force! Blessings to all!

..just a quick up date on my father in law...he is still hanging in there, surpassing our most optimistic expectations, however, he is now failing rapidly. My wife, and Mike are flying out tomorrow morning to be with him (I have a horrific cold and can't risk infecting everyone else...)

Thanks for the update. May his passing be peaceful.
And may you get well quickly.
Prayers are with you and yours.
~Cynthia~

I cant say it any better than Cynthia has.    Peace.

(http://www.rcfcbc.com/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=849)


He passed away peacefully this morning....Blue Skies Charlie....Blue Skies!

I have dreaded this post since the original Wayne.  Prayers sent up for comfort and strength.  He is now at peace.

Carl

I, too dreaded this post. May he be at peace. Best wishes to you and your family

Thanks guys.. as it was not unexpected, the family is taking it well (so far...) it was just a question of when.. He is not suffering any more, and my son has a new crew member watching over his shoulder.....

Sympathy and condolences to you all.  Sometimes its harder to see loved ones suffer than see them go.

Sympathies to the family, Wayne. A legacy to cherish and pass on for generations.

Please accept our condolences on your loss, Wayne.

Fair winds and blue skies to you, Squadron Leader Dodwell.

Peace and Blessings to you and yours...

Our blessings and prayers for all the family. 

Thanks to everyone for your kind and comforting thoughts. The service was last Sunday and although it was supposed to be a "Celebration of life", it hit some of the family pretty hard at times..... The reception was very upbeat, though.
I have to back up a bit..I have been trying to figure out how to express this......
My son, Mike ended up flying us out there in a Navajo. (the airline fares were insanely expensive that weekend, and this was a cheaper option - relatively speaking.) On Friday afternoon there was a huge storm front extending from Alaska down to Oregon, and we had to fly through it. The forecast on the ground for the weekend was rain, rain, rain, and more rain...and windy too! We left on Saturday morning, and Mike had flight planned on a 45 knot headwind right on the nose... That was bad because it slowed us down and added to cost of the trip...plus we had to stop for fuel.
First thing we noticed that the headwind was only 20 knots. At our fuel stop, the sun was poking out from the clouds. Our final stop was across the Georgia Strait about 20 miles away. The folks live on an Island not too far off our route....soooooooo...we went VFR and did a Low (very, very low) pass over the house which from later reports, was very well received....It was something that Dad would have approved of....
After an hour long boat ride, we got to the folks place....the sun was shining, the air was still, and the water (pacific ocean) as dead calm - I have never, ever seen it so calm. This area is known as The Wet Coast for a very good reason.... The storm front apparently broke up about a hundred miles north.. The weather stayed absolutely dead calm over night - except for one instance. Mike and I were sharing a hotel room. I was in the shower, and he was laying on the bed when a gust of wind blew the patio door open. He stepped out on the balcony and got hit with a very warm gust of wind.....then everything went calm....and stayed that way through the next morning, and throughout the service. When the last person entered the reception all, it started raining  like crazy....then stopped a half hour later..... then the sun came out again.....
The morning after we left, they got hit with thunderstorms and hail - both very very rare occurrences.
(http://www.rcfcbc.com/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=854)

Maybe it was all coincidental - but the timing of this very unusual, very calm weather was noted by everyone.

Even the least spiritual among us had to accept that some sort of intervention was going on....

It is weird enough to share with youse all....

Well, maybe consider it a parting gift.  :icon_wink: