Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 1:36 AM
To: William Murphy; Bill Hasencamp; Bernd Straehle; Alex Roberson; Andi
Ramer; Andy Waters; Brian Chun; Brian Schaeffer; Bruce Anderson; Bruce Taylor;
Byron Ho; Clyde Butt; Colin Stokes; Dale Greenhalgh; Dave Stefanides; David
Goggins; David Jones; Gordon Miller; James Gathercole; Gregory Pschaida;
Holdeman, David (FMSCOE); Jim Brewer; James Kurtz; Jeff Dewey; Jim Cook; Jim
Plante; Kitty Goursolle; Jim Poppy; Michael Abell; Manuel Morrow; Martin Hukle;
Sandy Earl; Maurice Waters; Paul Defeo; Michael Gaiman; Mike Sturgill; Sol
Ameen; Stephen George; Steven Elliott; Thomas Lavallee; Timothy Woudenberg;
Thomas Fante; Todd Schultz; RUSSELL CAMMELL; Reve Ramos; Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh;
Matt Wilson; Lori Cherry; Kristina Tocce; John Harja; Garth Powell; Carol
Rutter; Brian Tercznski; Adam Trosterman; Carl Haakmeester; Steve Smart; Dennis
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Scott Doyle; Sean Smith; Tom Milton; Steve Meichtry; Tony Martinez; Jessica
Harbour; Tony Musorafite; Tracy Barill; Major Matthew Harbour; Karla Johnston;
Kermit Ganier; Ken Campbell; Jerry Brown; Les Medlin; Wick Waltmire; Cycleman;
Tom Miller; Chuck Bramwell; David & Edna Evans
Subject: Our Friend Dan Crain
Today, Sunday, about 2pm I went to visit Dan.
The Thoracic surgeon happened to stop by and remove Dan's staples and apply a
fresh dressing. He said everything looked good.
Dan said he'd just gotten back from a walk around the 4th floor, and that he
felt much better today than yesterday.
His Sister & Bro. in law from Washington had visited this morning.
He read the humorous card I brought him.
After holding his hand just a brief time, he said he was tired and just wanted
to rest. I understood, and left shortly thereafter.
About 3 hours later, he got up to use the bathroom, assisted by his male
nurse. The nurse was in his room while when Dan complained of being
dizzy. The nurse called for help and several helped get
Dan back into his bed. At this time they called a "Code
Blue" as they realized he was not breathing and his heart was not
beating. The Code Team worked on him for half an hour trying to revive
him. This is the hardest thing I've ever written. Dan is no longer
with us.
I had called him and left a message on his cell at about 8pm telling him the
recovery time may be a tough one, but we'll just take it one day at a time, and
that I knew he was tough and strong and could handle any challenge ahead
of him.
About 9 pm or so, his Sister Sandy called me, crying, and was trying to
tell me..but I just could not hear it .I just went into a state of
shock & denial; I kept saying "What?, Is this Sandy? Dan
Who?? Dan What? Dan What? ?????!!!!!!
I went to the hospital to see for myself. There is just NO WAY
Dan...could actually leave us. He's way to strong, and positive, and
motivated!! Picked up Ken Campbell on the way, one of his Best
Friends.
It's just the most awful feeling, walking down the hallway to his room.
His door was closed. His male nurse (differnt from the one this
afternoon), opened the door, the curtain was drawn, I slowly walked
around the curtain..."Dan, I called" There he was, lying
in his bed, just the way I'd left him, except an airway tube was left in his mouth...for
the Coroner to see. I talked to Dan...and so did Ken. I just kept
talking to him, and I'd stroke his face, or his hair, or his
hand. I lifted up the covers to see his feet...and there was his
bandage. Everything seemed like he should still be there, but he
wasn't.
The male nurse came back in the room and explained to us what had
happened. They think he had a pulmonary embolism, a fatal
blood clot in his lungs, not uncommon after surgery. (The
Coroner will do an autopsy to verify this.)
The male nurse said he had taken care of Dan the past few days and
that he couldn't believe it either. Said he was a really nice
guy. (As we all know).
Dan had a very positive attitude, was looking forward to going to rehab for
several days before returning home.
He was putting his Daughter Danielle through a 2 year Master's program in So.
Carolina, and was then planning to retire. He had talked about riding
across the U.S., and even around the world. He was motivated to live, and
prepared to live. There's just no way any of us expected
this.
It sounds like the Doctors and all the hospital Staff did everything
"right", and that this was Dan's time to go. I know he wanted
to put his daughter through college above all else. He would have never
left her or any of us. He just got through sending his son to Diesel
Mechanic school. He still on-goingly supported the Mother of his kids,
whom he met as a quadripeligic in college, and stayed with for over 14 years.
They both told me that Dan was not the one who left the
relationship.
I just cannot believe this. No one seemed in better shape for his age of
65 than Dan.
I will keep you posted as to funeral arrangements. His Sister says it
will be at her family's church, in Irvine @ Harbor Christian Church.
Dan was there with me at all the other funerals of our Cycling Friends.
