Very bad news from MrsGFM

Hello Friends:

In late May Greg would be having his PSA test and I would be posting his results. He was hanging in the zero club by his toenails as his PSA continued to rise very slowly. We knew radiation therapy was probably in his future.

Greg was 55 and in good health besides his rising PSA and some hypertension. He was within normal weight for his height and exercised many times per week - walking or some aerobic type activities. He had been to the Dr. within the last 2 weeks for general health.

The Kansas City area has had a lot of snow this year and Saturday night we had 7 more inches. Greg is a huge KU Jayhawk fan and he went out to shovel our driveway. He was hoping that we would be able to go down to the Entertainment District in KC to watch the KU - NC basketball game at a bar with other KU fans.

He came in the house after shoveling for a while and complained of classic heart attack symptoms. We went back and forth for a while and I called 911. He said he felt better and I should call off the ambulance. I told him it was too late for that. They would probably come in, run an EKG, tell him he just had some anxiety and that would be that.

The paramedics came - they had to have a snow plow in front of them to get to our house. They gave Greg oxygen, IV's, an aspirin and an EKG. They said the EKG leads weren't working right, so they would take him to the hospital. At first they said I could not ride in the ambulance with him, so I ran through the house getting our coats, my phone book, a book to read, water bottle, etc. and tossed them in my car. I ran back to the ambulance where they were loading Greg and said I would be there as soon as I could. It would take a while for me to clear the driveway so I could get to the hospital. Maybe Greg told the paramedics that I am terrified to drive when it is slick. Either way - the paramedic said to secure our home and jump in the front seat of the ambulance.

Greg was in the back talking with the male paramedic, I was in the front talking to the female paramedic who was driving. I think we were all talking about KU. It was open between the front and back and I could look back and see Greg.

We live about 15 minutes from the hospital. about halfway there, the paramedic asked me if Greg had a seizure disorder. I said no. He then asked how far out we were from the hospital, the driver said about 7 minutes. He told her to hit the lights and siren. I looked back and could see him bagging Greg.

We got to the ER and they ran into a trauma room with Greg. At first I stood outside the door, then they put me in an exam room right across the hall. I could hear everything. I previously worked in health care so I understood nearly everything as well. They did CPR and shocked his heart for over 30 minutes. They could not save him.

These last few days have been a blur of phone calls, decisions and tears. There are many things I am grateful for. I was home when he needed me. I called 911. The paramedics let me ride in the ambulance. Everyone did everything possible to save him in the ambulance and the ER.

Our friends and his family have been so very compassionate and kind. We married a little later in life and did not have any children.

We had the visitation Tuesday evening and the funeral Wednesday afternoon. Since Greg is Catholic, we had to get the funeral Mass done by Wednesday afternoon due to Holy week or wait until next week to do it.

Greg taught special education in the local high school. At least 10 of his students came to the visitation or the funeral. At least 10 of my own clients came as well. (I am a professional organizer).
I went back to my exercise classes Thursday and back to work on Friday afternoon with one of my favorite clients who was well aware of the situation.

So I have a new normal. Although I don't know what normal is. I did call Greg's urologist and asked for him to call me back, but he has not done so. I am not sure why he wouldn't call back. He didn't have anything to do with this emergency situation. We really liked his urologist and thought he was in great hands.

I wanted you gentlemen to know of my situation. You have been so very kind to me in the past when I had questions about Greg's health.

Here is a link to the obit and photos.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?n=gregory-f-munzer&pid=163859399&fhid=11268#fbLoggedOut

God bless you all in your journey to better health.

Darcy

I am so sorry for your loss.

I am sorry to learn of Greg's passing.  May he rest in peace.

Darcy, I don't even know where to begin - I guess first by trying to stop crying and clean off my keyboard.....

How incredibly frustrating it must be to have fought this beast and stayed ahead of it for some 5 years, and to then succumb from a heart attack, it's just not right.....

I too am Catholic and would then simply say that he is now in the hands of our Lord, at peace with everything and no longer having to worry about PSA tests and everything else he had to deal with.

My very profound thoughts and prayers are with you. Please drop in on us once in awhile and let us know how you are - like we were for Greg, we are here for you, too.

Peace,
Jeff

I am so sorry. Your remarkable well-written account brought tears to my eyes. I'm a Catholic myself, and it's my prayer that this weekend celebrating the Resurrection will bring you a bit of comfort.

Darcy, we are so very sorry for your loss. We will all miss Greg.

Please stay in touch.

K

Darcy, what can one say after reading such a heartbreaking story...as trite as it may be, I am so sorry for you and your family.

Thank you for taking the time to let us know...with all you and your family are dealing with, we appreciate your wanting us to know about Greg.

You are part of our family and hope that you will come back whenever you feel like it or feel the need for a group hug from the guys and gals at Healing Well.

Our prayers are with you.

So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.

Darcy,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss and the loss to your family.
I also am Catholic. For whatever reason, God has called Greg
home to be with Him at this time. We are all here for a period
of time until the Lord calls us back home to Him.

May the peace of the Lord be with you.

Hugs,

Bill from Florida

I too am so very sorry for your loss. 

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

May you find peace, comfort, and love through this great trial.

This hurt my heart to read so I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you. I wish you well during this difficult time. Thank you so much for sharing this with our community.

Michael

Darcy, I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. It is never easy, but the unexpected loss is so much more difficult.

As you know, my wife passed away last June from cancer, but I had 6.5 years to prepare for it.

Prayers and blessings to you and your family as you go through these trying and adjusting times. As someone else pointed out, you never forget, but the days do get more tolerable.

Sonny

Darcy,

You and your family are in thoughts in prayers. May God comfort you and yours and ease your pain and heartache, with each passing day.

Hugs...