Today, at 7:40pm Hawaii time, my Uncle, Leroy George Fujita passed away. He was 43 years old and leaves behind a wife and daughter. His family was with him, by his side when he left us. I was told it was very peaceful, there could not have been a better way for him to go. He will always be in our thoughts and memories, and we will always be thankful for all that he had done for every one of us.
Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes.
Here is another picture I found from our '02 reunion. Of the 95 people that were there, this is the Fujita side. His wife/My aunt, Tracy is there sitting with him, and that is their daughter, Sanoe standing behind him.
Picture
******** UPDATE *********
Well, the worse that could happen, is going to happen. Today, they will be taking George off of life support. While during their tests, he was breathing on his own, it was very labored and short. Oxygen wouldn't actually make it to his lungs. So, my family is waiting for my aunt to give the final OK, but everyone agrees we don't want him in a bed on a machine for an extended period of time.
I want to thank all of you for your kind words and prayers, and listening to my story. I appreciate it all, and knew I could count on the AT community for lending an ear.
When I started this post, several had come forth stating they wanted to make a contribution for my travelling costs. At this time, I am going to open up a collection, not for my expenses, but for those of George. Although he did have income coming in from his accident settlement, he has no medical insurance, and they pay everything out of pocket. I don't expect a whole lot to come of this, but I know every little bit will help.
My paypal is codey.fujita@verizon.net. If you would like to make a small contribution, please make the subject "For George Fujita". Once the date of the services are determined, I will make my arrangements to attend and will give the proceeds to my aunt. I will be keeping a list of who donates and how much for verification at any time.
Again, thank you to all of you for all your bumps, prayers, and kind words. My aloha goes out to all of you and your families this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Codey Fujita
Some may remember my posting about my Uncle in Hawaii. He is handicapped (quad) and in a wheelchair due to a car accident he was in when he was 18 (he's late 30's now). Ever since that time, he's always put his family and friends before him, sometimes because he had no choice if he wanted/needed some sort of care, but most of the time due to his kind heart and love of his family. He takes care of his, and everyone else.
Well, tonight while at dinner for my fathers birthday. I noticed I had missed a call, so I checked my voicemail. The message was from my aunt in Hawaii. Her tone of voice was obviously one concern, and made it clear she was not calling for a good reason. I immediately called her.
Today, while having his normal muscle therapy at home, he stopped breathing. His therapist immediately began CPR, and called paramedics. She was able to resuscitate him and he was taken to the hospital. He is a long time smoker, and also a diabetic, which further complicate his health issues that already exist due to his handicap. Because of this, I honestly don't have the best outlook on this.
As of now, he was upgraded to critical condition. He is heavily drugged, and pretty much unconcious. They did do a CAT scan, and do show some normal brain activity, so it would seem that assuming he pulls out of it, he will still be "there". But as of now, there is really nothing the Doctors can do to improve his situation. We've been told the next 24 hours are critical, and will determine the next steps from here.
I ask that those of you who read this, say a prayer for him. He is loved and cared for by all, and for us, definitely puts a damper on the holiday season.
Here is a pic of him, with myself, one of his brothers, his mom, and a few of his nephews at our last family reunion in August '02. I'm the one showing off my mad pythons.
Pic
Thanks for reading, and your prayers. They are all appreciated.
*****Info received this morning*****
"Just an update on George. As of 4am this morning, there's been no change. His heart stopped yesterday and his therapist kept giving him CPR until the ambulance came to take him to the hospital. George is in the Kona Hospital on a respirator and still unresponsive. "
Again, thank you all for your kind words.
*****Updated @ 2:13 PST*****
Spoke with my grandmother who is jumping on a flight tomorrow morning. They have taken him off the breathing machine to test his most basic of brain functions; breathing. As of a little while ago, he is breathing on his own. That is the good news. The rest of what the Dr had to say wasn't so great. George had no pulse or oxygen for approximately 6 minutes, which is a long time. Being honest and realistic, he said it would be a miracle if he recovers from this. Many of my family members are holding vigil by his side, clinging to the hope of some sort of improvement, let alone his waking up.
I will be putting some things up for sale, in hopes of raising some cash to buy myself a ticket and/or cover some of my lost wages for going down as my current employer does not provide any paid vacation/sick/bereavement. Please keep an eye out for that thread, as it will be up shortly.
*****Updated @ 11:20 PST*****
Spoke with my other uncle who is there and stayed at the hospital with my aunt all of last night. He pretty much gave it to me straight.
While I was told George was without a pulse for about 6 minutes, it was actually 13-15 minutes. There is permanent brain dammage, and if he does wake from his coma, there is no guarantee to what sort of state he will be in. He and my aunt spent much of the night talking about things, and pretty much decided that they do not want him to be a "vegetable" as he deserves better.
Those that are flying in now, are really going to say their aloha to him, and see him while he is still (somewhat) with us. In other words, based on "the numbers and odds", it's really just a matter of time.
I thank you all for your kind words and support, as it means very much to me.
Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes.
Here is another picture I found from our '02 reunion. Of the 95 people that were there, this is the Fujita side. His wife/My aunt, Tracy is there sitting with him, and that is their daughter, Sanoe standing behind him.
Picture
******** UPDATE *********
Well, the worse that could happen, is going to happen. Today, they will be taking George off of life support. While during their tests, he was breathing on his own, it was very labored and short. Oxygen wouldn't actually make it to his lungs. So, my family is waiting for my aunt to give the final OK, but everyone agrees we don't want him in a bed on a machine for an extended period of time.
I want to thank all of you for your kind words and prayers, and listening to my story. I appreciate it all, and knew I could count on the AT community for lending an ear.
When I started this post, several had come forth stating they wanted to make a contribution for my travelling costs. At this time, I am going to open up a collection, not for my expenses, but for those of George. Although he did have income coming in from his accident settlement, he has no medical insurance, and they pay everything out of pocket. I don't expect a whole lot to come of this, but I know every little bit will help.
My paypal is codey.fujita@verizon.net. If you would like to make a small contribution, please make the subject "For George Fujita". Once the date of the services are determined, I will make my arrangements to attend and will give the proceeds to my aunt. I will be keeping a list of who donates and how much for verification at any time.
Again, thank you to all of you for all your bumps, prayers, and kind words. My aloha goes out to all of you and your families this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Codey Fujita
Some may remember my posting about my Uncle in Hawaii. He is handicapped (quad) and in a wheelchair due to a car accident he was in when he was 18 (he's late 30's now). Ever since that time, he's always put his family and friends before him, sometimes because he had no choice if he wanted/needed some sort of care, but most of the time due to his kind heart and love of his family. He takes care of his, and everyone else.
Well, tonight while at dinner for my fathers birthday. I noticed I had missed a call, so I checked my voicemail. The message was from my aunt in Hawaii. Her tone of voice was obviously one concern, and made it clear she was not calling for a good reason. I immediately called her.
Today, while having his normal muscle therapy at home, he stopped breathing. His therapist immediately began CPR, and called paramedics. She was able to resuscitate him and he was taken to the hospital. He is a long time smoker, and also a diabetic, which further complicate his health issues that already exist due to his handicap. Because of this, I honestly don't have the best outlook on this.
As of now, he was upgraded to critical condition. He is heavily drugged, and pretty much unconcious. They did do a CAT scan, and do show some normal brain activity, so it would seem that assuming he pulls out of it, he will still be "there". But as of now, there is really nothing the Doctors can do to improve his situation. We've been told the next 24 hours are critical, and will determine the next steps from here.
I ask that those of you who read this, say a prayer for him. He is loved and cared for by all, and for us, definitely puts a damper on the holiday season.
Here is a pic of him, with myself, one of his brothers, his mom, and a few of his nephews at our last family reunion in August '02. I'm the one showing off my mad pythons.
Pic
Thanks for reading, and your prayers. They are all appreciated.
*****Info received this morning*****
"Just an update on George. As of 4am this morning, there's been no change. His heart stopped yesterday and his therapist kept giving him CPR until the ambulance came to take him to the hospital. George is in the Kona Hospital on a respirator and still unresponsive. "
Again, thank you all for your kind words.
*****Updated @ 2:13 PST*****
Spoke with my grandmother who is jumping on a flight tomorrow morning. They have taken him off the breathing machine to test his most basic of brain functions; breathing. As of a little while ago, he is breathing on his own. That is the good news. The rest of what the Dr had to say wasn't so great. George had no pulse or oxygen for approximately 6 minutes, which is a long time. Being honest and realistic, he said it would be a miracle if he recovers from this. Many of my family members are holding vigil by his side, clinging to the hope of some sort of improvement, let alone his waking up.
I will be putting some things up for sale, in hopes of raising some cash to buy myself a ticket and/or cover some of my lost wages for going down as my current employer does not provide any paid vacation/sick/bereavement. Please keep an eye out for that thread, as it will be up shortly.
*****Updated @ 11:20 PST*****
Spoke with my other uncle who is there and stayed at the hospital with my aunt all of last night. He pretty much gave it to me straight.
While I was told George was without a pulse for about 6 minutes, it was actually 13-15 minutes. There is permanent brain dammage, and if he does wake from his coma, there is no guarantee to what sort of state he will be in. He and my aunt spent much of the night talking about things, and pretty much decided that they do not want him to be a "vegetable" as he deserves better.
Those that are flying in now, are really going to say their aloha to him, and see him while he is still (somewhat) with us. In other words, based on "the numbers and odds", it's really just a matter of time.
I thank you all for your kind words and support, as it means very much to me.