Sunday, July 10, 2011

RIP Lt. Kristoff


my Dear Husband.
I FINALLY won my battle to bring John home. All the equipment was delivered 1st and then the ambulance arrived with John straight from the ICU and the respitory therapist,to teach me how to use all the machines,about 3:00 Friday afternoon.Mike ran to Sears to buy a little door bell that he installed on the wall by John's bed,so that if he needed me and I wasn't in there he could just press the button and the bell would ring in the living room. Ron was there along with Mary Jo & Mike & the nurse who was trying to get 2 pages of meds taken care of.Ron told the kids that he was worried about me doing this alone since they saw me almost falling several times as I was learning everything I had to do and going back & forth to John's room.
I just told them,I'll be OK I just need to slow down and get into my wheelchair 1st instead of just using my cane.
I felt very sad that evening when everyone was gone. John really wasn't talking and had even turned the TV off. I was waiting for Hospice to deliver the narcotics that I needed for him.He really needed the Aderol that would keep him calm and not try so hard to breathe. I put it in a dish of applesauce and fed it to him.Then I put The B-Pap on him and told him that it was nite nite for him. I checked him before I went to bed after 11:30. I got up at 2 a.m. to check him. Something was wrong.His arms where in the same position as the last time I had checked.The machines were still going.He was so swollen I was having a hard time finding a pulse in his wrists or neck,at least that's what I wanted to believe.I kept putting the pulsacs on his finger,but it wouldn't give me a number.I kept trying to rub his chest and call his name.I laid my head on his chest and nothing.I called Hospice and the nurse came to verify what I already knew,but didn't want to believe,he was gone. She called the funeral home and prepared his body for them.It was 5:30 a.m. when they all left.I went to bed till 7:30 a.m.
This morning we had to go to the funeral home to make the arrangements I had written John's obituary.Actually I wrote it in my head and when Mary Jo came to pick me up I asked her to write it on paper as I told it to her.The picture that I'm showing here is the one I chose to be published in the newspaper with the obituary. It's totally him.His face shows the intensity of the 110% he always gave to the job he loved and gave his life for.
His funeral will be VERY tough and emotional,but I'm giving him the send off that he deserves. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-7.There will be an Honor Guard of 2 Firemen at attention in full dress uniform the whole time.One at the head of the casket and one at the foot and they will ceremoniously change guards at certain times. There will also be an American flag,to honor John's military service in the Air Force and also the Fire Dept. flag.
The funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Wed. The procession to St. Mary's Church will be the hearse and behind it the fire dept.'s rescue truck that he had a large part in designing. The pall bearers will be 6 Fireman in full dress.
The luncheon will be here where I live at Bud's building where they have a room and an outdoor patio and lawn area with umbrella covered tables set up.Cafe 83,which Bud also owns will cater. Heather,one of Bud's assistants,who's also fast become a very dear friend to me asked me yesterday if she could do this.She'll be coming over tomorrow to discuss the plans.Ever since we moved here the people have been so wonderful to me,even John only got to live here a little over 2 weeks,he loved it here too and I will be inviting all the neighbors. I hope with all my heart that I will be able to stay here.
Last but certainly not least,THANK YOU to all of you for your VERY touching posts,emails and prayers.
To a TRUE HERO, Lt.John S.Kristoff
Sherry...OUT

29 comments:

  1. oh Sherry he was waiting to come home. he wanted to be with you. My heart is so heavy and sad for you. I too am married to a firefighter they do give 110% His journey was long and now he gets to rest. take care sweet lady he is watching from heaven now.
    you are in my prayers
    Cathy

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  2. Oh, Sherry!..My heart is heavy for you..You will be in my thoughts and prayers...BIG HUGS to you!!!

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  3. Sherry, sending you my deepest sympathy.... I am saddened to learn of your dear husband's passing ... and my thoughts and prayers will be with you as you go through these most difficult days ahead.
    Take good care of yourself.

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  4. Dearest Sherry,
    I am saddened to hear of John's passing and send my heartfelt prayers to you and your family. Take good care of yourself in these days ahead and reach out to others for help and assistance.
    I'd like to send highest regards to John for his sacrifices as a firefighter and his service in the military.
    Hugs to you Sherry!
    Cathy G

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  5. I am so very sorry to learn of your loss...it seems he was just waiting to come home...my deepest sympathy for you and for your family.

    Janet

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  6. Sherry ~
    I am so sorry. Heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
    Hugs,
    Lauren

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  7. So deeply sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers.

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  8. Dear Sherry,
    I am deeply sorry for your loss. I am so glad, however, that your dear husband was able to be at home with you in the end. Know he is near you and will always be...You are in my prayers as you face the days ahead. God Bless.
    Courtney

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  9. My Deepest Sympathy goes out to you Sherry. I'm happy he was finally able to come home. Prayers lifted for you..

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  10. Oh Sherry, plz accept my heartfelt sympathy, such sad news. Wishing you peace and much love in the coming days. My thoughts are with you, may you find comfort in the memories the two of you made together...

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  11. Hi Sheri, I am so sorry for your loss. I wish you peace in the days ahead and hope that you may find some comfort in knowing that he is at rest now. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  12. Sheri, such sad news of the loss of you husband and best friend. Know that he waited till he was home and with you, the place where he was most comfortable. It sounds that you have many good people to help you though this time. Remember he will always be with you and watching over you.

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  13. Sherry, my thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss for you. I am so glad you were able to bring him home with you.
    My husband was also a Lt. on the Fire Dept. before his retirement.
    Linda

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  14. Words cannot express my love for you both, nor how sad I am that John is gone....but please know that you both hold a dear place in my heart and that I will always be here if you need me...
    L

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  15. Sherry,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you through this trying time.
    That is a wonderful photo of John and what is life was about. My God bless you and bring you peace in the coming days.

    Debbie

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  16. My deepest sympathies for you and your family in this time of loss. I am married to a firefighter and they truly do give 110% and dedicate their lives to the fire department. It truly takes a special man to do that job and even as special woman to stand by her man.. you are in my thoughts and prayers, please take care

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  17. Dearest Sherry,
    You fought so hard and did everything you could to get John home and I know he must have been very happy to be with you and Sissy again, right where he belonged. May God comfort and guide you during this time of loss and adjustment. You know I'm here for you any time you need me. With much love and sympathy, Lori

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  18. Dear Sherry,

    My deepest sympathies for the loss of John. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Take care, Lucy fr Moncton NB Canada

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  19. Sherry, you did the right thing....fighting everyone to bring John
    home. You will never regret it and it will bring you some peace, knowing that you made it happen for him. Please take good care of yourself and let people help you.

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  20. Sherry,
    Please know that my thoughts and especially my prayers are with you during this very difficult time. May God comfort you and give you strength.

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  21. Sherry, I am so sorry to hear of your loss... my thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

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  22. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Working in the fire service, I can attest that they really do give it their all. May John rest in peace and may happy memories of your time together sustain you.

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  23. I'm so very sorry to hear about John's passing...and so glad that he was able to pass with you right by his side...

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  24. Heavy heart for you.. thoughts and prayers
    May the Lord comfort you during this very
    difficult time.

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  25. I am so sorry to hear that your husband John has passed away...my heart is heavy for you. I remember when I met both of you many years ago at a craft show when we both had items at Farmers Daughter in Wellington. I will be praying for you!

    Laura

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  26. Sherry, my deepest condolences and may his soul rest in peace.

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  27. So sorry to hear of your loss. May all of your fondest memories of him outweigh the sorrow. Many blessings and healing hugs.

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