TOM IS MY HERO
He was born September 2, 1955. I met him on July 24, 1994. We were inseperable since that time. We were married on January 14, 1995. He took on a lot of responsibility when he married me. I had 3 children when we met, and Tom adopted all 3 of them. He and I raised them to be the best that they could be in everything they do. Tom was a VIETNAM VETERAN and a diesel mechanic. Our son, Zack, is planning on following in his Dad's footsteps and joining the Army.
Tom was unfortunately given DNA from his father that caused him to have heart problems. He had 5 bypasses in January 2001, and was never able to regain much strength after that. We did, however, spend almost 4 more years together after that. On September 2, 2005, Tom turned 50 years old. An age that he never thought he would see. A few days later he slumped over and the ambulance had to be called. They shocked him twice and intubated him. He spent 3 days in the CCU of the local hospital. The heart doctor advised him that without 2 stents put into his heart and a defribulator under his collarbone, or a heart transplant, he would only have about 6 months left with us. Due to his other major health problems, being degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, and arthritis he was in constant pain and had severe limited mobility. Tom chose to not have anything further done.
We had discussed this at length over the past few years when he was getting worse. I had seen this hard working man go downhill to a man that could barely move without pain. He was a proud man that never did complain, but you could see the pain on his face every time he moved.
Tom and I had decided to move to a cheaper house that would make things easier on us. I recruited all of our friends to help so that Tom would not have to have to do anything. The move went as smooth as possible. Tom was happy to be in a nice apartment and was taking it easy. He spent everyday resting and spending time with our children. Monday evening he said goodnight to the children and me, spending a little more time than usual with each of them.
The next morning when our daughter came in to wake us for her to go to school, Tom was gone. He had passed in the night. We are glad that he passed in his sleep although we miss him dearly. There are a few pictures on my pic page of Tom at his funeral... don't worry, he is laying on a bed, not a casket.
He will always be our hero for all the love and joy that he put into our lives.
THIS HERO SECTION IS DEDICATED TO THOMAS B. FORBES
~~~~SEPTEMBER 2, 1955 TO NOVEMBER 8, 2005.~~~~