My Father Died of Covid
@DeborahDiane (40320)
Laguna Woods, California
November 15, 2021 8:10pm CST
The past week has been difficult. As I mentioned in my last post, my husband and I celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary in mid-October, and he did not feel well at the time. After our anniversary, his stomach problems became worse and worse.
On October 29, I took my husband to the Emergency Room here in Southern California and learned that his diverticulitis had worsened and he needed to be hospitalized.
While sitting in the Emergency Room with my husband, my sister called from St. Louis to tell me that our 93 year-old father had just been taken to the Emergency Room in St. Louis. He tested positive for Covid, even though he had been vaccinated and had been given a booster shot.
For the next week, my husband and father were both in the hospital in different cities. My sister and I were constantly on the phone.
On November 5, my husband came home from the hospital, but only with a nurse coming to the house every day to give him IV antibiotics, and he was still on a liquid diet.
On November 8, my father died from his Covid. We had hoped he would recover, since he had been vaccinated. In addition, when I compared my father's bloodwork to my husband's, my father looked much healthier. He had better hemoglobin, platelets, white blood cells, lymphocytes, kidney function, and every other marker that can be determined in the blood. He was never on a ventilator, and only needed supplementary oxygen for a short time. He died from Covid, anyway.
This was a man who, despite his age, had never had a heart attack, a stroke, or cancer. Covid was just too much for him.
It has been a very difficult few weeks, but finally my husband can eat "soft food," again, and walk short distances near our home, so he's making progress.
Be careful out there. Covid is still killing more than 1200 Americans every day, and the number is only expected to rise in coming months.
50 people like this
53 responses
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@CarolDM - Thank you so much. It would have been terrible to lose them both in the same week. My husband has a lot of health problems, but I hope he lives a little longer. I can only handle so much stress!
5 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Nov 21
@DeborahDiane I totally understand. A day at a time.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@CarolDM - Yes, one day at a time. That is all I can handle.
3 people like this
@Michellekidwell (29427)
• Sonora, California
16 Nov 21
So sorry for your loss...
5 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@Michellekidwell - Thank you so much. It was a very stressful few weeks.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (472114)
• Switzerland
17 Nov 21
@DeborahDiane I am glad your husband feels better.
I really hope he will enjoy the coming Thanksgiving with your daughter and grandchildren.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Nov 21
@LadyDuck - I think my husband will enjoy seeing our family, even if he is unable to eat very much. He will have to be careful, because the food will be very tempting, but some of it will not be good for him. I'm glad we will have some time with family, though.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@LadyDuck - I think the immediate danger has passed for my husband. He is still weak, but better than he was a few days ago.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137636)
• United States
16 Nov 21
I'm so glad your hubby is getting better.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137636)
• United States
16 Nov 21
@DeborahDiane You're welcome... I hope he continues to do better.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Nov 21
@DaddyEvil - Me, too.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@DaddyEvil - Thank you! I am relieved that he is feeling better, too. Everything was overwhelming for a while.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (108144)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Nov 21
Sorry about your father. Glad your husband is doing better
4 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@wolfgirl569 - Thank you so much. It would have been terrible to lose them both in the same week. My husband has a lot of health problems, but I hope he lives a little longer.
4 people like this
@aninditasen (16503)
• Raurkela, India
16 Nov 21
Prayers for your father's soul to rest in peace. This covid is proving to be dangerous and we have to watch out and be careful.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@aninditasen - Yes, Covid is more serious than a lot of people realize. So many people are still dying, but many people are choosing to ignore what is happening.
1 person likes this
@sulynsi (2671)
• Canada
16 Nov 21
This is a sobering reminder of how strange, powerful and unpredictable this illness can be, even when folks are vigilant about vaccination and other precautions. I need to be even more vigilant if I interact with elderly ones, as they do seem particularly vulnerable to this virus.
Thank you for the reminder, for taking the time - despite your great loss and grief, to share with others your experience.
Deepest sympathy to you and your family.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@sulynsi - Thank you so much. That was my goal in writing this article ... to remind everyone that many people are still very vulnerable to Covid, and we all need to take some precautions. If it saves one life, I will be glad I wrote this post.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16789)
• China
16 Nov 21
I am sorry to learn about your losing your father to Covid ! Restrain your grief and take care of yourself ! It is a good thing ! your husband gets better now !
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@changjiangzhibin89 - Thank you. I'm relieved my husband is improving. It was a difficult week.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@rebelann - Thank you so much!
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@rakski - Thank you so much. I appreciate the virtual hugs!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41750)
• United States
16 Nov 21
I sure am sorry to hear this. I pray your husband will continue to heal.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@1creekgirl - Thank you. I hope he gets better, too. Right now, it will be hard for him to eat much for Thanksgiving, but I will be grateful he is just able to be there.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@Icydoll - Thank you so much!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@sinari - Thank you so much.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168269)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Nov 21
I am so very sorry to hear of your father's passing. This COVID has got to be eradicated. We must all be careful and get the vaccine. So many are not doing that one step that could save their own and loved ones' lives.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (168269)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Nov 21
@DeborahDiane ......I wholeheartedly agree. I even heard in the news where people who have gotten the vaccine and then decided it wasn't a good idea are taking Borax baths hoping to rid themselves of the effects. I also read that a doctor has given the bath idea to them. Can you believe it?
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Nov 21
@celticeagle - People are refusing to believe in actual science, but choose to believe science fiction, instead. It is a crazy situation.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@celticeagle - I agree that too many people are not taking basic precautions to protect themselves and others. People need to do better.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137772)
• India
17 Nov 21
Sorry to hear about your Dad. Strange he had Covid despite the booster dose.
Hope you husband recovers fully.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137772)
• India
17 Nov 21
@DeborahDiane So much is invested in research and I have heard many situations like what you have reported about your father.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Nov 21
@allknowing - In addition to being vaccinated, people need to continue to wear facemasks and maintain a respectful distance from other people, whether they are vaccinated or not. That is the best way to slow down this disease.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Nov 21
@allknowing - Someone who was around my father, either at the Assisted Living or in a place he visited, but have contaminated him. The older you are, the less effective the vaccine. I guess his immune system just did not get a strong response to the vaccine.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@askme123 - Yes, vaccinations lower the risk of dying, but they do not totally prevent it. The best prevention is wearing a facemask and socially distancing. Vaccines are just an added layer of protection.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80748)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Nov 21
I am sorry to hear about your father and send you and your family many blessings, I am glad to hear that your husband is recovering,
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@RasmaSandra - Thank you so much. It has been a very difficult few weeks!
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
16 Nov 21
I'm so glad your husband is healing up, in spite of the serious illness that he has been facing. It's sad that your father passed away, but the fond memories will live on forever:) He's in heaven with the Lord! And my Dad is probably talking his ear off, at this time:)
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@kobesbuddy - I hope your Dad is chatting with my Dad right now. My Dad loved to talk, too. I will miss him. I am so relieved that my husband seems to be feeling better.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Nov 21
@kobesbuddy - Oh, I am so sorry the husband of your daughter's friend also passed away from Covid. Too many people are still dying of this disease. It is so disturbing to me when I watch the news and I see crowds of people in bars and restaurants. They are taking a huge risk.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
16 Nov 21
@DeborahDiane My daughter got bad news. Her best friend Megan, her husband contracted Covid and passed away:( Greg was 48 years old
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38709)
•
16 Nov 21
I am so very sorry. Covid is still very active. It's hard to lose those we love.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40320)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 21
@MarieCoyle - Yes, Covid is still very active. It is a dangerous disease.