There are no words...
Just got this email. it hasn't yet hit me that he's gone.
My husband Michael Rachman died in my arms last night. This is what my mom
wrote.
Love,
Barbara
Last night my dear, precious son-in-law passed away after a catastrophic
illness that started almost 3 months ago (on Sept. 18). He had been on life
support since September 26. His lungs were scarred from ARDS (acute
respiratory distress syndrome) following a virulent pneumonia. His kidneys
and liver failed and his brain was beginning to swell. He didn't drink or
smoke and had been very vigilant about taking care of his health.
Mike was the best father I have ever known to my grandchildren Joey, 4,
and Julia, 2. He would take care of them like he was a main care giver and
not just a stand-in babysitter like many fathers. He was a lot of fun and
very enthusiastic. He always talked so fast that I had a hard time following
him. He was a computer wizard and very generous in helping everyone with
their computer problems. He loved music and could identify the name of the
song and group when he would hear a tune. He had been a DJ at one time. He
had gone back to college 2 years ago so he could qualify for a better job.
A month before he got sick he had been very supportive visiting my
sister in the hospital and praying at her bedside while she was in ICU in
the process of dying following a cardiac arrest.
He was very passionate about the state of our country and an avid Obama
supporter. He had bumper stickers and an Obama tee shirt. He talked to
anyone who would listen about his concerns. He was aware that Obama had been
elected.
I never had a son and Mike called me Mom from the beginning of his
marriage to my daughter, Barbara. I felt as close to him as if he were my
son. My daughter loved him dearly and never missed a day spending time with
him at the hospital. She was his strongest supporter and was praying for a
miracle.
Mike was raised Jewish but he and Barbara began attending the Friends
Fellowship in Riverside a little before their son, Joey, was born. It's a
very small group but they have all rallied to support Barbara and Mike
throughout this crisis. Many people from different contacts have volunteered
to help with the kids or drive Barbara to the hospital when she was too
upset to drive. Their friends have raised money to pay for a nanny to help
take care of the kids in the morning and get them to day care. People from
all different faiths spread across many states have been praying for Mike
and the family. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
With love, Janet Chandler
My husband Michael Rachman died in my arms last night. This is what my mom
wrote.
Love,
Barbara
Last night my dear, precious son-in-law passed away after a catastrophic
illness that started almost 3 months ago (on Sept. 18). He had been on life
support since September 26. His lungs were scarred from ARDS (acute
respiratory distress syndrome) following a virulent pneumonia. His kidneys
and liver failed and his brain was beginning to swell. He didn't drink or
smoke and had been very vigilant about taking care of his health.
Mike was the best father I have ever known to my grandchildren Joey, 4,
and Julia, 2. He would take care of them like he was a main care giver and
not just a stand-in babysitter like many fathers. He was a lot of fun and
very enthusiastic. He always talked so fast that I had a hard time following
him. He was a computer wizard and very generous in helping everyone with
their computer problems. He loved music and could identify the name of the
song and group when he would hear a tune. He had been a DJ at one time. He
had gone back to college 2 years ago so he could qualify for a better job.
A month before he got sick he had been very supportive visiting my
sister in the hospital and praying at her bedside while she was in ICU in
the process of dying following a cardiac arrest.
He was very passionate about the state of our country and an avid Obama
supporter. He had bumper stickers and an Obama tee shirt. He talked to
anyone who would listen about his concerns. He was aware that Obama had been
elected.
I never had a son and Mike called me Mom from the beginning of his
marriage to my daughter, Barbara. I felt as close to him as if he were my
son. My daughter loved him dearly and never missed a day spending time with
him at the hospital. She was his strongest supporter and was praying for a
miracle.
Mike was raised Jewish but he and Barbara began attending the Friends
Fellowship in Riverside a little before their son, Joey, was born. It's a
very small group but they have all rallied to support Barbara and Mike
throughout this crisis. Many people from different contacts have volunteered
to help with the kids or drive Barbara to the hospital when she was too
upset to drive. Their friends have raised money to pay for a nanny to help
take care of the kids in the morning and get them to day care. People from
all different faiths spread across many states have been praying for Mike
and the family. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
With love, Janet Chandler