Farkle! - Monday, January 16, 2012 (This is NOT a happy story)

I have bad news. Really bad news.  Bob Keegan (my dad) passed away today, Monday, January 16th around 2:30pm.  Love was all around him (me, my mom, my brother, my sister-in-law, and all of your thoughts and prayers).  He was a loving and devoted husband, an amazing and inspiring father, a wonderful boss, friend, co-worker and humanitarian.  He was loved and admired by more people than one could imagine.  He lived life to the fullest and is one of the most generous people I know. And no...I'm not biased.

My dad was awesome!  He will be missed more than you can ever imagine.  The family appreciates all of your love and support and we know that each of you will miss Bob too.  We are currently planning a Celebration of Life party in honor of Bob that will most likely be this Saturday, January 21st.

In true Bob Keegan fashion, he has left a list of things for us to do.  Informing people about places to donate, was on the list...so here they are:

In lieu of flowers, here are some places you can donate:

• CDC Foundation - Louise Martin Endowed Scholarship
• PATH Foundation Atlanta - bike trails
• MSF (Doctors without Borders)
• East Coast Greenway Trail
• Nature Conservancy
• Our House - Decatur

*Bob has NO interest in donating to cancer societies* (his words, not mine)

Details will be forthcoming about the party.  It will be casual.  Per his instructions "this is casual - NOT FORMAL - this is not a coat and tie affair.  This is s time to enjoy stories about Bob including his foibles, missteps, silly stories, etc."

Update - January 15, 2012

Just FYI - if you want to see any of my previous blog posts, you can just scroll down and there is a menu on the right hand side with months and years and I think I've posted every month (or almost every month) something since April 2011.

Bob's condition is getting worse, as we expected.  I have loved looking at all the pictures and reading all of the emails that you all have sent.  It's amazing to know that my father has touched so many lives.  Just wanted to let you know that even if we don't respond right away, we are trying our best to keep everyone informed and are very appreciative of all that you do to show your love for Bob. 

My mom, brother, and I are doing as best as we can be doing during this hard time.  We are frequently together and are sharing the duty of helping take care of Bob.  My aunt Alicia will be here on Tuesday to help out even more.  I will try to keep you updated as best I can. He sleeps all day so there isn't much to report.

My aunt Alicia shared some photos of my dad that I have never seen before.  See below for some early Bob pictures. Real early :-)

Quote of the Day - Jan 13 2012

Dad gets up from his nap and looks like he's trying to get up from the chair.

Me: "Dad, where are you going?"

Dad: "For a jog."

He hasn't lost his sense of humor!

Picture Request

All,

Please send your favorite 1-2 pictures of Bob to me. My email address is lkeegan24@gmail.com.

If you need to send more that's fine, just remember...I'm only one person :-)

Thanks in advance!
Bob's Daughter

The Happiness Song

Marcus and I may regret this later...we did this video with my dad at Thanksgiving per his request.  One of his bucket list items was to be on YouTube...so now he can check that off his list.  Enjoy and sorry Marcus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrcVrN93az8

The Doctor Visit - January 11, 2012

So I flew home to Atlanta this morning at 6am because I'm a daddy's girl and he WILL NOT be sick for long periods of time without me here.  He was in the hospital for a week and was released Monday night.  We (the fabulous four) went to see the oncologist today.  To save you from all the sad details, let's just say that this might have been the last doctor visit.  Hospice is coming to the house in the morning to begin at-home care. Bob sleeps most of the day and is on various medications to help with the problems he has due to a failing liver. He has stopped reading emails as he can no longer read them or stay awake long enough to read them.  He isn't really in the mood for visitors, as one could expect.  But please know that we as a family receive all of your kind words and emails and they fill us with joy to know that our father (her husband) is loved by so many people.  Hopefully the hospice nurses will be able to get him back to functioning a little more normally. And trust me, if that does happen...you all will be the first to know. Okay...maybe not the first, but you get my drift.   

Right now, I'm sitting in the living room and he is asleep in his recliner.  He has the blanket that I gave him for Christmas covering him (it has 30 photos of the family on it) and he is snoring. The rest of the Keegans in this house are about to have a drink!

Hospital Stay #2

Well, my dad is back in the hospital.  His first long-stay visit to the hospital a little after Thanksgiving can no longer be considered a fluke visit.  The new doctors at his new hospital think they have figured out why he has been unable to keep down food and has had several bouts with nausea and vomiting.  They did an ultrasound of his liver yesterday and found a blood clot.  The doctors say this clot is treatable and are keeping him in the hospital while they get "things under control."  He is very tired and taking a lot of medication. And if you know Bob at all, he's having a BLAST in the hospital (sarcasm).  I haven't spoken to him much, but my brother, Uncle Timmy, and my mom have been keeping me updated on his progress and his daily activities.  We are hoping he will be back home in a couple of days and once that happens I will be sure to keep everyone updated.