My Father Ray
Joann's In Your Shoes Story
My father, Ray, was force of nature. He was that person to make everyone laugh and bring people together. He suffered from severe untreated anxiety and panic all his life which led to most of his health related issues. At a young age I knew I wanted to be involved in some sort of healthcare as I got older, primarily because of my dad and his affinity for science. He loved teaching High School Biology for most of his adult life; however, there was interim he took over his father’s cutlery grinding business after his death. Knives and my dad did not mix. I was forever bandaging him up most of my childhood since my Mom and sister had weak stomachs. I was his go to girl for all his cuts, bruises, aches and pains.
My love of science and taking care of people led me to pursue my path in Healthcare. Over the years my dad’s health issues changed drastically from high blood pressure to misdiagnosed illnesses. Towards the end of his life my father suffered greatly with severe back and muscle pain. After failed surgeries, attempts at pain management, countless specialists and a misdiagnosis of Parkinson’s disease my father’s health deteriorated. My frustration and anger with the lack of answers and the exhaustion of efforts led me to do extensive research with rehabilitation specialists and neurologists until we found a fit. With a simple blood test my father was diagnosed by a wonderful neurologist with Myasthenia Gravis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that is characterized by fluctuating weakness of the voluntary muscle groups. It is exacerbated by a trauma to the body….this was the case with my dad when he had to undergo emergency surgery for a severe intestinal bleed from years of pain medication usage.
After surgery he was on a slow decline. For months I witnessed my dad deteriorate into a shell of a human being…losing all bodily functions, loss of speech and inability to move. As my mom and I took turns caring for him in and out of numerous health care facilities we looked into in-home care and hospice care; however, he succumbed to the disease and passed away prior to us finalizing the process.
I unfortunately, have been in a Right at Home clients’ shoes; however, I am fortunate to be part of a team that assist and care for families that do not chose to be a situation like mine. No one wants to see a family member struggle with their health but, if need be we all have the option to reach out for help especially with a company whose sole purpose is to put their Right at Home “family” first.
