Saturday, June 23

Dad was interred last week at the National Cemetery at a noon-time ceremony. It is finally over with. Anyone wishing to visit him can get directions to his location at the front gate. This will be my last post on this blog. Thanks to everyone for joining and reading. If you have any other questions or updates I can be reached at maschellhammer@yahoo.com.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The funeral went well yesterday. About 250 friends and family. Many in town from out-of-state. Beautiful flowers and music. Wonderful eulogies. Today's he will be interred at the National Cemetery in west Dallas at 12:30. Then it will all be finished.

Funeral services will be Monday at Arlington Funeral Home on E. Division in Arlington. Family visitation will begin at 9am. The service will start at 10:am.

Funeral and Graveside Service

It's not definite, but we have a tentative date set for Dad's service.  Monday, June 11.  Arlington Funeral Home for the service, then we'll proceed from there to the National Cemetery in West Dallas for a graveside/interment of his ashes.
It will be a simple ceremony at both places.  The funeral service will be mostly eulogies and some music.  The graveside will be handled by the military.  Definite times have not been determined yet. I will post again when more details are available.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Dad passed this morning at 5:10am. The family has gathered this morning to organize the remaining portion of his funeral service and graveside service. His body will be transferred to Arlington Funeral Home this morning. His remains will will be cremated. There will be a service at the funeral home and we are coordinating for interment of his ashes at the National Cemetery in West Dallas. We plan to have both services on the same day, hopefully a Monday or Fridsy. I will be posting to this website often on plans for each service and any information. PLEASE stay with this blog site to stay up on what's happening. Let others know about the blog or contact me at 469-438-4382 for any additional information.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Dad was moved to James West Hospice in downtown Ft Worth on Wednesday . He went to sleep that night ans hasn't woken up since. The pain in his back become too intense for him to take. Radiation didn't work and doses of morphine didn't work either. His organs have started failing and he hasn't eaten or drank anything since Wednesday. He is definitely on his way out. It's only a matter of time now. We stay with him 24 / 7. The hospice center has been great for him and us. We are day-to-day and hour-to-hour. Staying in his room watching over him until it's is time. He is as pain free as we can have him, and they have him on morphine through his port. We are putting funeral plans into place as he desired.

Tuesday, May 22,2012

Dad went back into the hospital this weekend.  Apparently the pain in his back has not subsided enough during the initial week of radiation and with the limited amount of pain killers he can take at home.  So he's having to stay at the hospital where he can get morphine to control the pain.  Unfortunately, that means he's been away from his chemo for the last several weeks, and will also be away for the next week's radiation treatments.  When through he will have been away for a little over 3 weeks.  He's contemplating ceasing the chemo, if the lack of treatment has allowed his cancer to grow.  It will be a decision that will have to be made later.  Right now it's mainly treatment for the severe pain in his back, and we'll worry about the cancer later.  I will let you know more when I know more.  He's back at Arlington Memorial Hospital.