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Following, I relate events which changed where I lived, and how I am able to live! In a real way, cigarettes brought Allie and I to Oklahoma.
My passion in fighting the life and vitality robbing effects of smoking (cancer, heart and lung disease) led me to working with “PATCH,” our local anti-smoking coalition. All my interests tennis, cycling and singing, demand strong healthy lungs. At 72, all are still on the table. I stopped in time, will you?
Helplessly, I could only watch his desperate fight with the smothering mucus. I had just finished pounding his back, attempting to dislodge the sticky phlegm that would some day end his life.
I strained with him as he struggled, hearing only wisps of air his weakened lungs could muster toward expelling the clinging mucus.
His effort was intense, and in a few agonizing minutes, he had his victory! We joyfully cheered, but knew the price he had paid. He leaned back and closed his eyes, perhaps thanking God for his temporary relief.
Our celebration was short, knowing soon, the struggle for life would visit Him, again and again!
Emphysema, cruel and progressive, leaves lungs hardened, restricting ability to intake or process air.
This condition, usually caused by cigarettes, leads to failure in providing sufficient life giving oxygen, is without cure, and can mimic manís dreaded fear of being buried alive.
When severe, lungs provide only minimal oxygen for life, and the hug of a loving Grandchild, or prayers of a visiting minister can transfer a life ending virus!
While still in California in 1980, my father had endowed me with his greatest gift.
Diagnosed with Emphysema, unlike most, he ended his 50-year enslavement to cigarettes.
Quitting then might seem to serve no purpose, The barn door was left open, the horses were out! Inspired by his action, my last pack went out my car window in Costa Mesa, Calif., dramatically changing the rest of my life!
A virus finally took his delicately balanced life, as some day we knew it would, but the gift he gave, and memories we shared here is Shawnee, are timeless.
Ron Gillham,
Shawnee
Following, I relate events which changed where I lived, and how I am able to live! In a real way, cigarettes brought Allie and I to Oklahoma.
My passion in fighting the life and vitality robbing effects of smoking (cancer, heart and lung disease) led me to working with “PATCH,” our local anti-smoking coalition. All my interests tennis, cycling and singing, demand strong healthy lungs. At 72, all are still on the table. I stopped in time, will you?
Helplessly, I could only watch his desperate fight with the smothering mucus. I had just finished pounding his back, attempting to dislodge the sticky phlegm that would some day end his life.
I strained with him as he struggled, hearing only wisps of air his weakened lungs could muster toward expelling the clinging mucus.
His effort was intense, and in a few agonizing minutes, he had his victory! We joyfully cheered, but knew the price he had paid. He leaned back and closed his eyes, perhaps thanking God for his temporary relief.
Our celebration was short, knowing soon, the struggle for life would visit Him, again and again!
Emphysema, cruel and progressive, leaves lungs hardened, restricting ability to intake or process air.
This condition, usually caused by cigarettes, leads to failure in providing sufficient life giving oxygen, is without cure, and can mimic manís dreaded fear of being buried alive.
When severe, lungs provide only minimal oxygen for life, and the hug of a loving Grandchild, or prayers of a visiting minister can transfer a life ending virus!
While still in California in 1980, my father had endowed me with his greatest gift.
Diagnosed with Emphysema, unlike most, he ended his 50-year enslavement to cigarettes.
Quitting then might seem to serve no purpose, The barn door was left open, the horses were out! Inspired by his action, my last pack went out my car window in Costa Mesa, Calif., dramatically changing the rest of my life!
A virus finally took his delicately balanced life, as some day we knew it would, but the gift he gave, and memories we shared here is Shawnee, are timeless.
Ron Gillham,
Shawnee
