Chiefs Saying "Goodbye" to my old man - Page 9

duncan_idaho · 05-25-2023, 10:37 AM

My dad passed away this week. He was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer earlier this year, and had been going through chemo.

I think the family had been lulled a little into a false sense of security, of time, because he had been tolerating the chemo so well. The doctors had found a concoction they thought his heart and liver (the two most vulnerable organs he had) could work through.

I don't know if it was complications from the chemo, but his heart gave out earlier this week.

Now, I'm not writing this as a look-at-me or cry for sympathy. I'm doing this because when I think about my dad, I think about the Chiefs, and watching games with him. He's the reason I care so much. There's another reason, too, but I'll talk about it at the end.

I am so, so thankful my dad and I got to see the past five years of the Chiefs together. That he got to see them get back to the top of the mountain this year.

He was always a more even-keel, optimistic fan than me. He endured the succession of washed up QBs with eternal optimism and belief that they could turn it around in KC, just like Lenny did.

I used to sarcastically thank him for raising me as a Royals/Chiefs/Mizzou fan, but damn if that didn't make 2014, 2015, and 2018-now all the sweeter. Now I thank him in earnest.

I'm so thankful he got to see that run end (and return the good-natured digs to his fraternity brother from Colorado, who never stopped reminding Dad about the 1983 draft).

We'll put him to rest tomorrow. Going to be a hard day, no doubt about it. But I'm confident that when I watch the Chiefs, it's going to bring the good things out. When I talk about them on here, it's going to bring the good things out.

Now, that other thing I mentioned at the top; if you're wondering if there's anything you can do, what I'd really like is for you to commit to taking care of yourselves. Go to the doctor. And please, please, please get your colonoscopies. My dad's cancer started as colon cancer before spreading. He never had a colonoscopy, and I can't help but think if he just HAD, he'd still be here. We would have caught it early enough and stopped it.

And I wouldn't be standing in his place at my sister's wedding next spring. I wouldn't be giving the speech, I'd be helping him write it.

If you've read all of this, thanks for letting me ramble. Sometimes, getting the words out is the best thing for this.

Go to your check-ups. Get the colonoscopy.

burt · 01-08-2025, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

time is a thief.

Gospel.

Graystoke · 01-08-2025, 09:21 AM

Missing my Dad. Towards the end he had lost his mind but not his humor or good spirit. Love that guy.

**DaFace** · 01-08-2025, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neech

Just do the Cologuard bro its simple.

You're supposed to get it done every three years but it's an easy process.

Cologuard is better than nothing, but it can't catch pre-cancerous polyps that could become cancer in those three years, and it's not as effective at finding the cancerous ones. The other advantage of the actual colonoscopy is that, if they find anything (which they did for me), they can just remove them right then and there.

If you're that opposed to the colonoscopy, then sure, it's an option, but the procedure isn't THAT bad.

Boise_Chief · 01-08-2025, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Cologuard is better than nothing, but it can't catch pre-cancerous polyps that could become cancer in those three years, and it's not as effective at finding the cancerous ones. The other advantage of the actual colonoscopy is that, if they find anything (which they did for me), they can just remove them right then and there.

If you're that opposed to the colonoscopy, then sure, it's an option, but the procedure isn't THAT bad.

I'll let you know Friday night. My first is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

burt · 01-08-2025, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boise_Chief

I'll let you know Friday night. My first is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

The worst part is the fear/dread. It turns out, it's a very good nap. At 64, I've had a slew of them and no longer have fear OR dread.

**DaFace** · 01-08-2025, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boise_Chief

I'll let you know Friday night. My first is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

The prep is worse than the procedure. I highly recommend a bidet attachment if you'd consider it (they're great regardless). Or if not, at least have some A&D ointment around - you're gonna be doing a lot of wiping.

The procedure itself is fine, though. They basically knock you out, so it's like taking a very deep nap. You're vaguely aware that things are going on, but not much.

05-25-2023, 10:37 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $-1409692	Saying "Goodbye" to my old man My dad passed away this week. He was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer earlier this year, and had been going through chemo. I think the family had been lulled a little into a false sense of security, of time, because he had been tolerating the chemo so well. The doctors had found a concoction they thought his heart and liver (the two most vulnerable organs he had) could work through. I don't know if it was complications from the chemo, but his heart gave out earlier this week. Now, I'm not writing this as a look-at-me or cry for sympathy. I'm doing this because when I think about my dad, I think about the Chiefs, and watching games with him. He's the reason I care so much. There's another reason, too, but I'll talk about it at the end. I am so, so thankful my dad and I got to see the past five years of the Chiefs together. That he got to see them get back to the top of the mountain this year. He was always a more even-keel, optimistic fan than me. He endured the succession of washed up QBs with eternal optimism and belief that they could turn it around in KC, just like Lenny did. I used to sarcastically thank him for raising me as a Royals/Chiefs/Mizzou fan, but damn if that didn't make 2014, 2015, and 2018-now all the sweeter. Now I thank him in earnest. I'm so thankful he got to see that run end (and return the good-natured digs to his fraternity brother from Colorado, who never stopped reminding Dad about the 1983 draft). We'll put him to rest tomorrow. Going to be a hard day, no doubt about it. But I'm confident that when I watch the Chiefs, it's going to bring the good things out. When I talk about them on here, it's going to bring the good things out. Now, that other thing I mentioned at the top; if you're wondering if there's anything you can do, what I'd really like is for you to commit to taking care of yourselves. Go to the doctor. And please, please, please get your colonoscopies. My dad's cancer started as colon cancer before spreading. He never had a colonoscopy, and I can't help but think if he just HAD, he'd still be here. We would have caught it early enough and stopped it. And I wouldn't be standing in his place at my sister's wedding next spring. I wouldn't be giving the speech, I'd be helping him write it. If you've read all of this, thanks for letting me ramble. Sometimes, getting the words out is the best thing for this. Go to your check-ups. Get the colonoscopy.
Posts: 21,993	15 0

01-08-2025, 09:21 AM	#122
Graystoke MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Driftless Region Casino cash: $-2030000	Missing my Dad. Towards the end he had lost his mind but not his humor or good spirit. Love that guy.
Posts: 9,568	1 0