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Thoughts from
Pastor Burke
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Just a Few Random Thoughts...
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Sadly, we had to say goodbye to one of our long time members, Yvonne
Champagne. Yvonne was an active and supportive member of FLC and
she will be sorely missed.
We have also welcomed Lane Leger, Amelia Dooley and Marie Fae Dooley by
Baptism.
Well, it certainly has been a roller-coaster ride for the Burkes since
Easter. To restate what has heppened...my father was admitted to
Lafayette General Hospital with bronchitis, which was greatly
complicated by COPD. The plan was to aggressively treat the
problem with IV antibiotics. It was determined that another
problem existed..."Poppa" also had a staph infection in his
lungs. As treatment was adjusted for the "new" problem, "Poppa"
refluxed, aspirated and pneumonia entered the picture as well.
After a trip to the ICU and a bronchoscopy, the IV antibiotics
continued. A swallow study revealed that the swallow reflex was
pretty much gone. So the next step was a feeding tube. An
attempt was made to increase the feeding to a point that it needed to
be done only at "meal times" failed, the result was aspiration and
another bronchoscopy. "Poppa" was released from Lafayette General
and was transferred to the rehab hospital on the 8th and 9th floor of
Lafayette General. He remained in rehab until transferred to
Camelot of Broussard's skilled nursing facility. Both physically
and mentally, he was visibly and rapidly declining. A call one
Sunday at 2:00 a.m. signaled another downward turn. "Poppa"
became less responsive and declined rapidly from this point
forward. After a week and a few days, hospice was called.
Saturday, June 21 at about 12:45 p.m. "Poppa" breathed his last with
Jo, Chris and me by his side.
There are several things I have realized because of the last couple of
months. First, one questions and re-questions decisions that must
be made...second-guessing every decision. And once a solution is
reached, the decision might make perfect sense in light of all the
facts, but it still can be difficult to accept emotionally. The
head understands, but the heart hopes. The reality of the
situation calls for a logical decision guided by facts and doctors (we
were blessed to have Dr. Steven Salopek in our lives for his guidance
and more than anything his concern) as comfort becomes primary.
Secondly, and the only way that I can describe this feeling is from a
movie I saw years ago...don't remember anything about it but one
scene. The main character, after leaving his family because of a
"mid-life" crisis, is driving his car back home as his father is dying
and in this moment of reflection he says (this is the way I remember it
anyway)...now I'm daddy. To me that means that now it's my
turn. My hope is that I can be supportive, caring and loving for
my children and grandchildren, and my family at FLC. I know that
it doesn't adequately explain this feeling, but this is as good as I
can do right now.
Again, thank you all for "being here" for the Burkes. On this
roller coaster ride that began in 2001 with a fall and ended in 2008,
Jo and I would like to thank all of the folks at First Lutheran for
their support, prayers and especially for their understanding during
the last few months. Thanks to everyone for being with the Burke
family and providing a very special remembrance before, during and
after the memorial service; to Dr. MacNair and Katharine Schendel.
(Yes, I am still trying to locate my white and purple stoles...please
look around the area where you keep your sewing - they are in a zip
lock bag...both were borrowed to take measurements for possibly making
new stoles.)
God Bless you All
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Pastor Burke
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