It is with a mix of great sorrow and great joy that we would like to let you all know that Ariel Adams (Emily’s father) passed away this evening. As we had already posted, Mr. Adams went into the Hospital last weekend with double pneumonia (it is not uncommon for people struggling with lung cancer to repeatedly contract pneumonia, so this was not entirely disturbing to the family). Mr. Adam’s sudden rapid decline began on Wednesday, however, when he awoke to find that he could barely see. The only explanation that the doctors could think of for this was that the tumors in his brain had grown much more aggressively than had been expected. They gave Mr. Adams a radiation treatment Wednesday afternoon in attempt to shrink the tumors, and Emily was able to visit with him Wednesday evening. They had a good conversation despite Ariel's blindness and occasional confusion (which is apparently a normal bi-product of radiation treatments). Unfortunately that was the last real conversation Emily had with her father. Wednesday evening one of the tumors in his head began to bleed, causing Mr. Adams to have a stroke. The left side of his body and his ability to communicate were largely crippled by this incident. Although he still was able to hear and respond to things going on around him, his responses were limited to squeezing his right hand, moving his right arm, and with an extraordinary amount of effort saying a short slurred phrase.
Thursday morning all of Emily’s immediate family and a wide variety of other family members and friends went to the hospital with the knowledge that Mr. Adams’ time here would not be long. Providentially, the Dingles were able to get their flight back from Japan pushed up a day, and they also arrived Thursday evening. Although Ariel’s breathing became more and more labored and he mostly slept, he was able to make key closure with all of his children by forcing out “I love you” on two separate occasions. Additionally, the children and Mrs. Adams were able to speak with him and say their goodbyes knowing that he could here them, and at least getting a hand-squeeze in acknowledgement. Friday Morning at approximately 1:30 AM Mr. Adams was able to tell his four daughters that he loved them one more time before losing consciousness for good. Thursday and Friday were both very long days spent with praying, crying, singing, hugging, telling stories, and even occasionally laughing as family and friends processed and coped with the fact that Ariel’s death was imminent. Ariel’s friends and family essentially took over the ICU waiting room at Howard County General Hospital, with many of Ariel’s children sleeping on air mattresses and couches over both nights. By Friday evening the whole family had made peace with the idea of Ariel’s passing, and Saturday was a somewhat less somber day as the family remained by Ariel’s side waiting to see him off. Ariel remained unresponsive and his condition deteriorated throughout the day, but his breathing had become less labored and more peaceful, and he was medicated well to handle any pain he may have had. At approximately 8:45 PM on 12/01/07 Ariel Adams went home to be with his Lord and Savior. His passing was quiet and peaceful, and for a lung cancer patient relatively short. It was probably as quick and painless a passing as anyone with his disease could have wanted. Unfortunately it came much sooner than anyone had expected.
Thursday morning all of Emily’s immediate family and a wide variety of other family members and friends went to the hospital with the knowledge that Mr. Adams’ time here would not be long. Providentially, the Dingles were able to get their flight back from Japan pushed up a day, and they also arrived Thursday evening. Although Ariel’s breathing became more and more labored and he mostly slept, he was able to make key closure with all of his children by forcing out “I love you” on two separate occasions. Additionally, the children and Mrs. Adams were able to speak with him and say their goodbyes knowing that he could here them, and at least getting a hand-squeeze in acknowledgement. Friday Morning at approximately 1:30 AM Mr. Adams was able to tell his four daughters that he loved them one more time before losing consciousness for good. Thursday and Friday were both very long days spent with praying, crying, singing, hugging, telling stories, and even occasionally laughing as family and friends processed and coped with the fact that Ariel’s death was imminent. Ariel’s friends and family essentially took over the ICU waiting room at Howard County General Hospital, with many of Ariel’s children sleeping on air mattresses and couches over both nights. By Friday evening the whole family had made peace with the idea of Ariel’s passing, and Saturday was a somewhat less somber day as the family remained by Ariel’s side waiting to see him off. Ariel remained unresponsive and his condition deteriorated throughout the day, but his breathing had become less labored and more peaceful, and he was medicated well to handle any pain he may have had. At approximately 8:45 PM on 12/01/07 Ariel Adams went home to be with his Lord and Savior. His passing was quiet and peaceful, and for a lung cancer patient relatively short. It was probably as quick and painless a passing as anyone with his disease could have wanted. Unfortunately it came much sooner than anyone had expected.
The Eastern Orthodox have an Easter hymn that goes, “Christ is risen from the dead; trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.” While the words of this hymn are meant to directly refer to Matthew 27:50-53 (after Jesus yields up his spirit, the veil of the temple is torn and, “The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised” NASB), they also are meant as an allegory. Christ’s death on the cross defeated death once and for all bestowing life upon all who believe in Him. In this knowledge, Ariel’s family now takes their joy, knowing that Ariel was not afraid of leaving this world because he lived with the knowledge and the love of the Risen Lord. We will all miss him greatly, but then we can all look forward to seeing him again (relatively) soon. Please continue to pray for the family, as we learn what life without Ariel will look like, and as we all adapt to filling the many roles that he played in our lives. Thank you.
1 comment:
It is very encouraging to read your blog about Ariel. I only know him from the times that we shared at the Christmas parties, and the times I was able to talk with him at Church. He was a good man. A great father and a great husband. I am so excited and astounded to think that he is now with our Lord. Adams family, we will be thinking of you as we serve here in Cambodia. The Lord is good.
Post a Comment