Many of you know of the relationship DH and I had with BIL. I haven't talked much about him because he had been holding his own--working at a supermarket, paying his rent with his SS check. Waiting for a better housing situation than the one he has been in.
On Thanksgiving, he had major surgery to repair a perforated bowel. He was in the hospital for 9 days and then 2 weeks in a rehab. He returned to the hospital after I took him to his PCP, who told him he didn't look great and should go to the ER. He spent a day in the ER, and two nights in the hospital. He was discharged last Friday. I called him Saturday and Sunday to be sure he was OK. But today he didn't answer my calls. My son, who lives a couple of blocks away, said he had also texted him and got no response.
So my son went to his apartment, where he apparently (and hopefully) died in his sleep. I've told my kids that his heart just wore out--he had cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation and left ventricular tachycardia. He was a sick man. But we all feel bad because it still took us with a bit of surprised.We are all going through the "shoulda/coulda/woulda's." His 63rd birthday was 5 days ago, in the ER. I was going to buy him a mattress topper for his bed.
DH is taking it really hard. The stress will not be good for his health.
The kids are remembering how funny BIL was, and how he taught them how to bowl.
I hope BIL is at peace.
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