Jordan Duckworth
College Composition and Research
Narrative Essay
September 7, 2016
A Death In The Family
“Pulmonary edema” -that’s the name of what killed my father. That’s one of the words I didn’t know the meaning of until I realized I wanted to join the healthcare field. Not being able to leave the hospital for a week, not knowing half the words the workers said, and not being able to help my father the whole time was the single most frustrating experience of my life. My father's death gave my life a purpose and showed me that I didn't want to lack the knowledge to help those dying in the future. My father’s death taught me about diseases i had never heard of, taught me to be there for family members, and taught me that i want to help people.
“Neurofibromatosis” the disease that I found out my father had. Later on I found out that it's a rare nerve disease. At the time I heard the word, I didn't pay it any attention because I didn't know what it was. I knew my whole life my dad had a disability. My dad never let the disability hold him back so I never thought much of the disability. I thought my family was invincible, that we were immune to tragedy. Even though my dad had a nerve disease my whole life, he never complained and always took me out to do fun things when he could.
“Pneumonectomy” -the procedure my father had to go through just after my tenth birthday. A few weeks before the procedure, my dad’s disease started to progress and develop cancerous cells in other parts of his body. We went in for a checkup and two tumors were discovered one attached to the left lung and one in his neck. The doctors told us that to remove the one attached to my father’s lung they would have to remove most of the lung as well. The news made most of the family scared for him but I didn’t totally understand the severity of the situation because I was a naive 9-year old.
“Buckled vertebral fracture” -the injury that put my father into the hospital for the last time. I was pulled out of school early that day, I was told my dad was in the hospital. I was so worried about him so we rushed to the ER to see him. I found out due to the tumor in his neck his balance had been off and it caused him to fall and break several bones in his neck. After being examined for a while, the doctors decided to move him to the city to put him on traction and reduce the stress on his body. I went home frustrated that I wasn't at the hospital to help him through these tough times.
“Barbiturate coma” the procedure that brought the whole family to the hospital. A few days after my dad was sent to the city I was once again pulled out of school. My grandparents didn’t know exactly what had happened which made the drive there uncomfortably silent. When we got to the hospital, my mom told us that the doctors had found another tumor and put him into a coma to monitor him. The next day we had no course of action, the doctors came in and told us his remaining lung had begun filling with fluid. He had a week at most. My father would be returned to consciousness, as well as moved to a more comfortable room so we could spend our final moments with him.
“Pulmonary edema” the name of what took my father's life and ensured my life was focused on healthcare. Only a few of the family remained at the hospital the entire time. I slept in the waiting room and spent the days with my dad. Every time the doctors came in, I hated that I didn't understand why they couldn't help my dad. I hated that I couldn't help him either. On November 9th, 2009, at 10:51 P.M. he passed away; the doctors came in shortly after and pronounced his death.
I will never forget the day or the months before my father’s death. Even though it was an awful experience to go through, it made me who I am today. If he would not have died, I probably would not be as interested in healthcare and helping others out as I am. My main goal in life is to try to make it so no one else has to endure a loved one suffering, or not know what's going on when they are suffering or dying. I feel that everyone has a right to the highest quality of life, a peaceful death, and the family has the right to know what's happening. While his life unfortunately ended that day, mine found its purpose.
College Composition and Research
Narrative Essay
September 7, 2016
A Death In The Family
“Pulmonary edema” -that’s the name of what killed my father. That’s one of the words I didn’t know the meaning of until I realized I wanted to join the healthcare field. Not being able to leave the hospital for a week, not knowing half the words the workers said, and not being able to help my father the whole time was the single most frustrating experience of my life. My father's death gave my life a purpose and showed me that I didn't want to lack the knowledge to help those dying in the future. My father’s death taught me about diseases i had never heard of, taught me to be there for family members, and taught me that i want to help people.
“Neurofibromatosis” the disease that I found out my father had. Later on I found out that it's a rare nerve disease. At the time I heard the word, I didn't pay it any attention because I didn't know what it was. I knew my whole life my dad had a disability. My dad never let the disability hold him back so I never thought much of the disability. I thought my family was invincible, that we were immune to tragedy. Even though my dad had a nerve disease my whole life, he never complained and always took me out to do fun things when he could.
“Pneumonectomy” -the procedure my father had to go through just after my tenth birthday. A few weeks before the procedure, my dad’s disease started to progress and develop cancerous cells in other parts of his body. We went in for a checkup and two tumors were discovered one attached to the left lung and one in his neck. The doctors told us that to remove the one attached to my father’s lung they would have to remove most of the lung as well. The news made most of the family scared for him but I didn’t totally understand the severity of the situation because I was a naive 9-year old.
“Buckled vertebral fracture” -the injury that put my father into the hospital for the last time. I was pulled out of school early that day, I was told my dad was in the hospital. I was so worried about him so we rushed to the ER to see him. I found out due to the tumor in his neck his balance had been off and it caused him to fall and break several bones in his neck. After being examined for a while, the doctors decided to move him to the city to put him on traction and reduce the stress on his body. I went home frustrated that I wasn't at the hospital to help him through these tough times.
“Barbiturate coma” the procedure that brought the whole family to the hospital. A few days after my dad was sent to the city I was once again pulled out of school. My grandparents didn’t know exactly what had happened which made the drive there uncomfortably silent. When we got to the hospital, my mom told us that the doctors had found another tumor and put him into a coma to monitor him. The next day we had no course of action, the doctors came in and told us his remaining lung had begun filling with fluid. He had a week at most. My father would be returned to consciousness, as well as moved to a more comfortable room so we could spend our final moments with him.
“Pulmonary edema” the name of what took my father's life and ensured my life was focused on healthcare. Only a few of the family remained at the hospital the entire time. I slept in the waiting room and spent the days with my dad. Every time the doctors came in, I hated that I didn't understand why they couldn't help my dad. I hated that I couldn't help him either. On November 9th, 2009, at 10:51 P.M. he passed away; the doctors came in shortly after and pronounced his death.
I will never forget the day or the months before my father’s death. Even though it was an awful experience to go through, it made me who I am today. If he would not have died, I probably would not be as interested in healthcare and helping others out as I am. My main goal in life is to try to make it so no one else has to endure a loved one suffering, or not know what's going on when they are suffering or dying. I feel that everyone has a right to the highest quality of life, a peaceful death, and the family has the right to know what's happening. While his life unfortunately ended that day, mine found its purpose.