Walter A. Buss Sr.
May 8, 1926 - June 19, 2013
May 8, 1926 - June 19, 2013
Walter is the grandfather of my fiancé, Travis.
This is Walter's story, as told by his daughter, Debra Kay:
How do I begin to tell you Dad's story? Dad had a great sense of humor, he was loving and caring to us, a friend to everyone who knew him. He taught us truth and honesty, but most of all, to have faith in God. I believe that it was his strong faith that helped him deal with the pain and frustrations of his cancer. I think he regretted knowing he wouldn't be here for your wedding, he always like to dance with a pretty girl!
He started with a diagnosis of prostate cancer in January of 2013. We were concerned, but my good friend, who is a nurse, said many men get prostate cancer and the chances of him dying from it was unlikely. At first he took medicine and seemed fine. But then the pain in his back started. We went to see a doctor, who ran tests and said he had vertebra fractures and recommended surgery. That was the first of three surgeries for this problem.
Dad seemed to be doing okay for a while after the surgeries, but then we heard the devastating news that the cancer had metastasized into his bones. I will never forget that day, hearing that word and feeling helpless because I didn't know what we were going to do. Dr. Kumar, the doctor who we were referred to for his cancer treatments, was wonderful. He was always kind to Dad and encouraging. He was hopeful that with chemotherapy, Dad could still live a good life. So, Dad began the treatments with a brave front and optimistic outlook. The first trial of drugs didn't work, so we tried different ones. Then he had radiation therapy a couple of times, but nothing seemed to be the answer.
He loved to go camping with his friend Irene, who by the grace of God, was able to help take care of him in her home. He was on a lot of medications for his pain, so we didn't want him home alone. He was able to go camping with her early June, but he was getting weaker as the days passed. Our life revolved around doctor visits, chemo and radiation therapy, and helping Irene take care of Dad. All this time we tried to have a positive outlook, but down deep we felt that Dad wasn't going to win this battle. Dr. Kumar did what he could to try to slow down the cancer, but it wasn't God's wish.
The second week of June, Irene had a camping trip for her 20th year of camping with her club. Dad wanted her to go, but she didn't want to go without him. Dad was weak and needed more help with walking and doing things. He also was forgetting things and that really bothered him. I think, though, that Dad had a talk with God and asked him for the strength to go on this one last trip and God granted it. They left on a Tuesday, but by Sunday he was exhausted and almost totally unable to help himself. Irene called me and I went and picked him up at the campgrounds. He came home to my house and he stayed there until that night. Irene felt that he needed to be at his house so we could help him there.
I think by this time, Dad decided between him and God that he had enough. On Tuesday of the next week, he insisted we take him to Sharon Richardson Hospice Center. We had talked to them the previous night, but Dad wasn't sure if he wanted to go there. So when he was so insistent that we took him there, we knew he felt the time was near. We took him by ambulance to the center Tuesday afternoon. We let family and friends know and he had a lot of visitors, but by Wednesday morning things got worse. With all the pain medications he was on, just to be comfortable, he was unable to communicate with us. I feel in my heart that he knew his love ones were nearby. As he started to decline, Irene started singing his favorite songs to him. My sister, myself, and our dear special friend, Barbie, sang with her.
God came and took Dad at 9:30 Wednesday night, June 19, 2013. We lost a wonderful and loving father, Irene lost a precious friend and companion, and his buddies lost a good friend. Our church doesn't seem the same without Dad's presence. I know God had a plan for Dad - that he needed a special angel - and I am sure he is up there watching over us. Someday, hopefully, I will be there with him again.
Our family is still devastated by Dad's passing, but we know he is a better place without pain. The days are still hard not to see him and talk to him, but it's a little easier when I think of his love and memories.
In honor of his birthday, May 8, Walter will represent Mile 8.
Make a donation in memory of Walter and others we have lost, those still fighting, and those who may one day be spared this fight because of what we‘re doing.
Give to make yourself a part of this historical effort.
No comments:
Post a Comment