The Rest of the Story

Well, here it is . . . the final posting on Gus’ Walk. There are so many emotions as I try to write the final script. One of the biggest lessons Gus and I learned as we walked this path was we could still have joy through our tears. Life truly is what you make out of it.

Scott, Randy and I made the famous move last Monday night. The lettering was finished on the sides of the manure spreader and it was time to move it to its final spot. Scott will finish up the last details at its new location.

Starting the Final Move

Scott giving Randy instructions on how exactly we were going to fit this in the barn

The picture on the left is when Gus had reached his limit physically and could go no further on restoring his project. The picture on the right is "The Rest of the Story".

This picture was taken with Scott strategically placed so no one could tell we do not have the seat attached yet or the tongue in place. We're still deciding how we want to do it.

I could not resist the "smug look" on Scott's face and the smug feeling I had when we had reached this moment. There were so many hours of intensity, both emotionally and physically, to achieve this picture. It was a healing experience.

Gus' Memorial Service

One of Gus' lifetime highlights was singing with this group of men. They blessed everyone with 45 minutes of praise music before the memorial service began.

Kelly, our Pastor’s wife, asked us for three of Gus’ golf clubs, preferably his drivers. She created this beautiful arrangement. Gus would have loved this expensive flower arrangement.



Gus’ memorial was such a blessing. I knew no local church could seat the people who would come to honor Gus and to honor his family. I never dreamed we would see so many. The entire service was anointed.

One of the areas I am able to go in and view on this blog is the statistics. I was not even aware of this page until a few months ago. As of today, there have been 14,464 pageviews of this blog. There are people all over the world being touched by Gus' story. The Netherlands, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Taiwan, Malta and even Latvia. In April alone, there were 4,908 pageviews. As Gus would say, "Only God could do this".

Scott and I are going to finish Gus' manure spreader as soon as possible. I have the writing on the sides and Scott has the seat and the tongue to attach. Those pictures of our finish will be the final posting of this blog.

I was reading a booklet on grief. One of their recommendations was to finish a project your loved one had started. I hope when Gus' project is finished and moved to its permanent spot at the old homestead, it will be a healing moment for the family.

To the People who Blessed Us

I had a request last night for my mailing address to be put on the blog. Kathleen Wuelfing, 170 Duncan District Road, Sheridan, Montana 59749

To the people who followed Gus' Walk, who prayed for us, who left comments for Gus to enjoy . . . you so blessed our lives. Gus would spend time regularly reading what his wife had written and loving the comments from you. When he was lying in a hospital bed knowing his fight was over, I would read him the comments. You continued to bless him to the very end.

When I decided to honor T.J.'s wishes and keep a blog on his dad, T.J. and I never dreamed it would span over a 33 month time frame. We never dreamed people all over the world would be following it. We never dreamed how Gus' story would bless so many lives.

I have plans on this blog being put into a book so Gus' children and grandchildren have a permanent record of Gus' story. His strength under adversity was amazing.

Memoirs

Last evening we were blessed to have our Pastor and his wife cook us an amazing steak dinner at Gus and Kathleen’s. It gave the family the time to sit and reflect on Gus’ walk and more importantly, the man he was. Amidst laughs and stories shared, Kathleen mentioned it was too bad we had not written down a few of Gus’ favorite stories. Those who knew Gus know how captivating of a narrator he was.

Then a call from family in Washington came today with an answer to Kathleen’s wish. The idea was to have family and friends share their memoirs of Gus, the family, the ranch, hunting, etcetera with us so that each could be shared at the service.

We are asking that those who have an antidote to either email or mail it to be shared and on display Saturday the 23rd at Gus’ memorial. Later the collection will be placed into a binder as a keepsake for Kathleen and the family.

Please send your favorite reminisces to:
Scott and April Wuelfing
PO BOX 512
Sheridan, MT. 59749
Or Email: Gus.swalk@gmail.com

Memorial Service

The memorial service for Gus will be April 23 in the new gym at the Sheridan Grade School. This is the only local facility large enough for our needs and the 23rd was the soonest available date. The service will start at 11:00 a.m.

I was opposed to the Easter week-end until I realized how appropriate. Gus truly believed that Heaven was not the consolation, but the great Prize.

Memorials may be made to the Ruby Valley Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 564, Sheridan, MT 59749 or to a charity of your choice.

The Battle is Over

Gus just stepped into the presence of Jesus about 45 minutes ago.

4-7-2011 a.m. update

This morning, Gus is no longer responding to our voices. Dr. Madany was not even successful in getting Gus to wake up. Since our "Warrior" has been so unique throughout this walk and this hospital stay, we cannot even guess how long before he takes that final step.

Our prayer as a family is that Gus goes to his new home. Our warrior has fought long enough.

4-6-2011 p.m. update

I did not end up taking L.T. to Dillon tonight. By the time I left Dillon at 3:15 this afternoon, came home and walked, it was too late for this tired lady to drive back to Dillon safely. I plan on Lindsey taking over this project tomorrow night. We will let you know the outcome. The Hospice lady said I could bring her right in the front door, but I prefer to bring her in a door that is right beside Gus' new room.

Scott and April spent the evening with Gus. He was no different than when I left him this afternoon. You can wake him up to acknowledge you, but then he slips back into sleep.

The room Gus was moved into is a suite. Very nice, but most important right near the nurses. They constantly are monitoring him. I was very pleased with the way they had him set up.

I will go back to Dillon first thing in the morning. April and I left the laptop there in Gus' room so that we can update the blog when we are there.

4-6-2011 a.m. update

The doctor was just in and checked on Gus. Gus seems to be in more discomfort so we have increased the pain medication.

After seven nights of sleeping in a recliner beside Gus, I am exhausted. Today they will move Gus to a room right beside the nurses station and I am going home to sleep in my own bed. I called Gloria and told her I was going home, finding L.T. (our dog), and then L.T. and I wanted a long walk.

I could never get Gus to commit to letting me bring L.T. to him to say good-bye. I am seriously thinking of smuggling her into his room this evening and at least letting L.T. say her good-bye. Any ideas on how to smuggle a 75 pound lab into a hospital? A puppy was smuggled in yesterday, but as Scott pointed out that is slightly different that what I have planned.

Gus has gone beyond every one's realm of experience here. The strength he has to continue on amazes us.

4-5-2011 p.m. update

Gus was very weak and unresponsive early afternoon, then late afternoon he bounced back and was more alert. He has rested most of the evening while the kids and our pastors were here. It was an enjoyable evening.

4-5-2011 a.m. update

Our night was uneventful. The nurse seemed to be more attentive during the night which just meant I didn't get much sleep. Gus still recognized his doctor this morning. The bond between those two is very special.

My walking friend, Gloria, came last night to take me out while the kids were here. She knew what I was desperate for without ever asking. Our walk was short and very precious to me. When I came back inside those hospital doors after walking, I was emotionally prepared again.

Lane did great last night. Lindsey had spent time preparing Lane and he can handle anything as long as Scott's arms are around him. I know I am going to need those arms around me a lot too.

The doctor and I are both amazed Gus made it through the night. He is a warrior.

4-4-2011 p.m. update

Gus continues to get weaker. Even when Dr. Madany came in this afternoon, Gus could hardly respond. When he has not been sleeping, he has been busy in his mind. He has gone from moving cows to hunting to building something to the old days in the sawmill.

I visited with a Hospice social worker today. The kids and I had debated on how much to expose Lane to. We finally decided to let him see Gus again because we felt Lane would follow our lead on emotions. Research shows that children need to be included, not excluded.

4-4-2011 a.m. update

I did not see any noticeable change during the night with Gus' condition. The nurse did need to give him a morphine boost at 3:00 this morning because of the hiccups. Since he cannot take any of his oral medication, he now deals with different discomforts. Dr. Madany could give him medication for the hiccups but the side-effects are not worth it.

Sometime during the night the nurse removed Gus' oxygen. We do not know why but he is not in any discomfort, so the doctor and I are leaving it alone. Comfort is all we care about at this point.

Gus is definitely slowly fading. Touch alone no longer gets a response. He still knows his doctor, though. The most alert we see Gus is when Dr. Madany is close.

4-3-2011 p.m. update

April had a laptop at home that she delivered to me today. I can update the blog now from the hospital room, so I will try to update each morning and evening.

Gus is refusing all food and when he tried a few sips of water this morning, the water upset his stomach. He refused any more fluid. He has had a restful day and the increased continuous morphine is controlling the pain.

Scott, April and Lindsey were here earlier and he made sure I knew he was enjoying their talking. He usually only whispers so you have to listen closely.

I am so thankful for the port in Gus' chest. When we arrived at the hospital, it took only minutes to start the IV. I cannot imagine trying to keep an IV going in his veins right now.

My cousin, Ellen, had given me a CD of religious music being played on the piano. I think she gave it to me when Gus was in the Seattle hospital. Anyway, I brought a CD player and that music plays continously. It seems to be very soothing to Gus.

Changes

April per Kathleen: "Today has brought more changes. Gus refused all food at lunch time and as a result I canceled his evening meal. He has required more morphine in addition to his continuous morphine.

In a very quiet voice Gus told me this morning 'this has been pretty easy.' He even repeated it so I would understand. I believe he is referring to this final step of life."

Gus had a good night

Gus had a restful night with very few interruptions and his eyesight is still excellent. As an example, his nurse during the night was a very attractive young woman. Last night around 11:00 p.m. his back was causing him pain. She not only gave him a boost of morphine, but she also gave him a back rub. As she left the room, his comment was "I wonder if she is as good looking in the daylight as she is at night". Even Lane, our grandson, was impressed with Papa's nurse.

Gus still has his sense of humor. The hospice nurse came and saw him this morning. She is still offering him that catheter and he is still saying no thanks.

To me, you see the true personality of a person when they are dying. Gus is absolutely a sweetheart to everyone. He so appreciates every effort being made for him.

Prayers

From April: Kathleen asked me two weeks ago if she could call on me to up-date the blog for her if needed. I told her absolutely. Yesterday afternoon was my first trial run of operating the blog with the accomplishment of a successful update. I would have never dreamed just a few short hours later, we as a family would be en-route to Dillon hospital. These are the words of Kathleen:

“Gus collapsed last night when I got him up out of his recliner to go to bed. I called his doctor and then the ambulance. We now have a second home here in the hospital in Dillon. The chances of Gus ever going back home again are very slim. The doctor was shocked at the change in Gus since Sunday. We will try to keep the blog updated for how we are doing. We are limiting visitors to close family, but please keep us in your prayers.”

Gus' New Wheels

Gus was thinking about some new wheels this summer. Maybe a golf cart, possibly even a four-wheeler with a wood splitter on the back. I myself, being a little more practical, was hoping for new lawn mowers at both our place and the old homestead. Turns out we were both wrong. Yesterday Hospice delivered a walker for Gus. He now has a new set of wheels, just not the ones he had hoped for.

For the first time throughout this cancer walk, Gus’ oxygen levels are dropping. Last Friday, his levels were low. The doctor called me Sunday morning to see how Gus was doing and then he came later in the day to see Gus. He now has a stationary oxygen tank with 50 feet of tubing and he has portable oxygen tanks for leaving the house. You may think that Gus doesn’t ever get his way, but yesterday when the Hospice nurse wanted to bring him an oxygen mask for nighttime, he said “No Thanks”. She then wanted to put a catheter in, he said “No Thanks”.

Today is the neighbor’s bull sale that Gus always cooked at. Lindsey was going to bundle her dad up in his warmest clothes, attach his oxygen tank and take him to visit with his friends at the bull sale. Gus was too weak to go. For the first time, he did not have the strength to walk from our bathroom to his recliner. I found him sitting on his walker in the hallway.

Almost every day brings a first. We are just so thankful for the support team we have. I cannot imagine this walk without those that surround us with their love, compassion and knowledge.

Labor of Love

What a week and what a finish!

Scott and my goal this week was to have everything painted by Thursday evening, so that when TJ got here on Friday, assembly could begin. My part was painting the boards which I had in the garage. Scott’s part was spray painting all the metal which he was doing in the shop. April and Lindsey both helped Scott paint.

It turned into quite the showdown to see who could finish first. I won only by default because the order of green paint Scott needed from Spokane was cancelled. The Napa store in Spokane would only deliver as far east as Missoula. No one knew that until the order did not show up on Thursday as planned. We had already bought everything that Denver and Billings had.

I could not understand why TJ chose to fly into Missoula when his destination was Sheridan. Thursday evening it became quite clear why we needed one member of the crew to be in Missoula instead of the Butte or Bozeman airport. Someone needed to get that paint to Sheridan.

Friday evening was spent spray painting the last of the metal. By looking at this picture taken Wednesday evening, you can see how much was left to paint green. What you see on this table was only the large pieces. All the smaller ones were yet to be added.

When TJ saw the reality of all those assorted pieces of metal sitting on that work table, he knew the true meaning of panic. There was no way they were going to pull this off before he had to be in Missoula Sunday evening to fly home.

Looking at that table of assorted metal pieces, Scott believed that in all likelihood there would be numerous pieces with no permanent part on the manure spreader. He was going to just attach them to the outside edge and call it good.

One of the crew members needed extra instruction

Gus was only able to spend a small amount of time with his sons answering their questions. Even though we had a fire going, he could not stay warm. Gus was there for the beginning and one time in the afternoon. He did not see the completed project until Sunday.

Scott and TJ spent 14 hours on Saturday doing the impossible . . . creating a restored manure spreader from sketchy pictures. By dinnertime, they were confident that they could finish by the end of the night. It was 11:00 Saturday night when that final piece was permanently attached. April and I helped throughout the day whenever an extra pair of hands was needed.



Gus never dreamed he would see his project completed. He really struggled with the emotions of the moment.



Scott has yet to do the tongue of the wagon and he needs to attach the seat. We had the seat painted, but the bar that attaches the seat to the wagon was the wrong one. Scott will design one.

I have to put the green lettering on the side that says New Idea. Both Scott and I have touch up to do on the paint. Then you will see a picture of the final look.

My cousin, John Brim, did the research on the original colors for the horse drawn New Idea Manure Spreader. This is the shade of the green Gus discovered deep in the gears. It is also the same shade of green that is on The Fenton House.

So what do you do when the project is complete and there are parts left over?

You point fingers at each other!!

This was definitely a memorable weekend for all of us, but especially for TJ and Scott. They will never look at this wagon without remembering the beauty of the day and the day they accomplished the impossible. This was a true Labor of Love!

Progress !!!

Scott just starting on the project

Notice how shiny the rotating blades are where Scott is working

A week ago, Gus came up with the brainstorm of renting a sand blaster for removing the old paint. Gus had bought a sand blaster a couple of months ago, but he and Scott could never get it to work.

Yesterday, Gus asked a friend to drive him into Butte to pick up the rented equipment. I never realized that Gus' part ended there.

Scott spent most of the day today blasting sand into the atmosphere. At 4:00 this afternoon, he and April drove to Butte to return the rental. What a difference stripping old lead paint from metal when you have the right machine and the right operator.

All the metal parts on the manure spreader are now a beautiful shiny color just like those blades in the picture above. The next step is to blow the residue sand off with an air hose and then start painting.

How much Gus will actually be able to do, I am not sure. His heart is still in the project, just not the strength to physically do much. Gus was thrilled today even though he had a hard time enjoying himself.

TJ is flying here on the 18th of March to see his dad and help with the manure spreader. Scott, April, TJ and Lindsey will live inside the shop until the doors open and a totally restored manure spreader is wheeled out. Just like in those reality TV shows.

No Progress

Not much progress has been made on the manure spreader. Gus just has not felt well enough to go outside. He has put on a substantial amount of weight but not because of his eating. Gus is retaining fluid. After starting on Lasix, he has been able to drop 7 pounds. I know there are still several more pounds to lose before he is at his true weight. His ankles and feet still have swelling.

Gus has no appetite. He does not skip meals; he just does not eat very much. Nothing appeals to him. The pain is steadily increasing. With the pain medication that Gus is on, though, it is fairly easy for us to keep the pain controlled.

It is not unusual for Gus to take a lengthy nap in the afternoon. It’s been 2 ½ years since radiation. That was when Gus would go back to bed during the day to rest. Sleeping in his recliner has been his preference until just lately.

We have finally activated Hospice. For two months, Gus has been on Home Health so the same nurses will be coming to the house; they are just able to offer more services with Hospice. They will continue to monitor his blood levels and check his vital signs.

TJ, Gus’ oldest son, is talking about flying to Montana for a week-end. I am going to try and talk him into bringing his tool belt with him. I think it will only be right for Gus’ kids to spend the week-end putting the manure spreader back together.

It would definitely be a labor of love at a time when Gus really needs an emotional lift. Nothing would make him smile more than watching his kids have to reassemble something he disassembled.

Progress Report

Gus was very disappointed that not one of his friends commented on his life being centered around spreading manure. What are good friends for if not to ridicule?

As you can tell by the picture, Gus has been busy dismantling his project. I found a manual on e-bay for the manure spreader. It will really be useful once Gus starts the assembly. The new wood has already been delivered and is sitting in the shop ready.

Our trip to Fairmont was enjoyable. Gus did not feel well the Saturday that we drove there so once we arrived, he went to bed. He did feel good enough to enjoy our family dinner that night celebrating Lane's birthday.

Last weekend we drove to Missoula to attend April's grandfather's funeral. He passed away Monday January 24th from hyperthermia. Ron had dropped his daughter off at the airport and had only a few miles to drive to reach home. Somehow he became disoriented and drove into the mountains instead. The mountains in winter are not very forgiving for an elderly man, lost with no cell phone coverage.

We had never met April's grandfather, but you could tell by the outpouring of love at the funeral that he was a very loved man with the community as well as his family.

Gus' New Project

Gus' New Restoration Project

It is the old 1940 New Idea manure spreader that was up at my grandparent’s old homestead. Gus and Scott moved it down to Gus’ shop ten days ago. Restoring it has been Gus’ desire for years . . . long before we started working on the old homestead.

The manure spreader was the first piece of equipment my grandparents bought new. Of course, it was pulled by a team of horses. My aunt Virginia tried to tell us that she was sure the main color had been green. I want you to look closely at the picture and tell me where the green is. Well, today Gus dismantled enough to actually find the original color buried deep inside the metal parts. You guessed it. It is green.

Throughout our walk of restoring the old homestead, Gus and I have been continually amazed at Virginia and my father’s ability to remember details from seventy years ago. This is just another example.

Gus still has good days and poor days. His coumadin levels have seemed to stabilize finally so we will only do blood work every two weeks.

Our biggest opportunity is pain management. Dr. Madany came and checked on Gus last Wednesday. He increased the daily dose of pain medication. Instead of taking the long term every twelve hours, Gus now takes it every eight hours. The breakthrough pain is very minimal now and Gus has been sleeping great at night.

Tomorrow the family is headed to Fairmont Hot Springs to celebrate Lane’s 7th birthday. Scott, April, Lane, Lane’s friend, and Lindsey will spend many hours in the pool and on the waterslide. Gus and I will spend many hours watching. We will only be gone one night. It is too hard on Gus to be away from his warm, soft bed and all of us have to work Monday morning.