I’m sorry to report that in the end, my Grandpa did not have the opportunity to choose between chemo and nature. At 1:30 on the morning of October 17, with my Grandma holding his hand and clinging to his arm, he peacefully succumbed to complications from the disease that has plagued him for nearly a year and half.
On his final Saturday, Grandpa went mushroom hunting in the forest that he loved with Grandma and their friend Don Shaffer. The next day on the way back to Seattle, he enjoyed a bowl of chili at one of his favorite restaurants, the Ranch House Barbeque in Olympia. Don suggested that they go directly to the hospital from there but Grandpa wanted to give it one more night. Late Monday morning, Grandma and daughter Leah took him to the ER (with a requested stop by the chiropractor’s for an adjustment) and he was admitted on Monday afternoon. The diagnosis was another stroke, this time affecting his right side. On Tuesday his left lung had collapsed and his strokes continued, but he was still able to answer his own phone. By Wednesday, the heart that has fought tachycardia for more than a year finally began to give in and he began to suffer the symptoms of a heart attack. That evening, he could no longer see or speak. By Thursday, Grandpa was communicating in a “yes,” “no” fashion by moving one of his feet and began to actually suffer heart attacks that afternoon. He had his daughters, Leah and Alicia, there to sooth him with the very songs he sang to them when they were young. Dr. West told Grandma and my cousin Conor that the strokes had become overwhelming, and while we could hope for a miracle, it was time to make him comfortable. Dr. West also reminded them that the one thing he had learned from Grandpa was that quality of life was the most important thing to him. As his final Friday dawned, John Musgrave, Renaissance man, loving husband, father of five, grandfather of twelve, great grandfather of seven, and friend of many passed away surrounded in presence and in spirit by those who loved him.
It is not surprising to me that my grandfather was able to fight cancer with such a positive attitude. My Grandpa passionately loved living and was a very competitive man, and he was also blessed by a team of doctors that we are sure is unparalleled. From my Grandma (and all of us), “Our family would like to thank all of the staff at Swedish Medical Center and Swedish Cancer Institute, his primary care physician Timothy Johnson, his cardiologist Matthew Voorsanger, his caregiver Carrington, the doctors and nurses at Swedish/Providence Cherry Hill Hospital who cared for him during his last few days and hours, and especially his oncologist Dr. Howard (Jack) West, and Ruth and Bernadine. John was proud to call Dr. West his oncologist and thought the world of him. Dr. West helped guide us through the last year and a half with just the right touch of humor and advice.” Personally I would like to thank Doctor West for permitting Grandpa to come to my wedding immediately after a chemo treatment – risky, but thankfully along the lines of what grandpa considered to be living, rather that merely life. I would also like to thank the staff at St. Mary’s in San Francisco where Grandpa was initially treated for his first stroke – thank you for helping him to heal and for keeping him there long enough that Conor, Alison, Balazs and I were able to spend time with him and give him ice cream in the final stretch.
A memorial service will be held on November 8 from 1-4pm at Hotel Andra in Belltown, just north of downtown Seattle. Anyone who was touched by my Grandpa is welcome to celebrate his life with us, and to help us remember him as he was – a profound and amazing man who all of us are better for having known. In lieu of flowers we will be making a contribution to the Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Park on Alki to honor Grandpa and to provide funds for the current renovation and future maintenance of the park. Please email johnmusgravememorial@gmail.com if you would like to contribute memories or funds for this project.
On to the next journey…
Monday, October 27, 2008
John Robert Musgrave
John Robert Musgrave lived his life to the fullest and his absence will be felt by many. He passed away on October 17 in Seattle after complications from lung cancer. He will be sorely missed for his wise counsel, his wonderful sense of humor, and of course his excellent cooking.
The devoted family man, mentor, and friend eclipsed the description "renaissance man" as evidenced by success in his careers and many hobbies. Anything worth doing, he believed, was worth putting in your all.
John was born in Kansas City, Kansas on January 23, 1934 and grew up in Concordia, Missouri as a Southern Baptist Minister's son. He was student body president, basketball star, homecoming king, and his beautifully deep voice resonated in multiple singing groups. John graduated at the top of his class from the University of Missouri Journalism School. His first job was as a newspaper reporter in Blytheville, Arkansas where he found himself in the thick of the Little Rock segregation era.
His talents at basketball earned him a spot on the Boeing semi-pro team in Wichita, KS, and a job as a reporter on the company paper launched his career into marketing. Boeing ultimately sent John to Seattle where he published the company-wide Boeing newspaper and discovered his little piece of heaven on earth. After several years, Boeing transferred him to head up the Marketing Department of the Vertol division in Philadelphia where he traveled the world promoting their helicopters.
In 1971, he left Boeing to work for the Auerbach Corporation, one of the world's first computer companies, in Philadelphia. In late 1973, he was approached by an executive search firm to consider going to Spokane, Washington to help the floundering World's Fair. Seeing it as an incredible challenge and also a way to return to his beloved Washington, he took the job and moved his family to Spokane. His role as Vice President of Marketing in charge of public and press relations, publicity and ticketing helped Expo 74 open on schedule and its success transformed the city.
In 1975, he started his own public relations firm, JRM & Associates, Inc., where he was involved in events such as managing trade shows and major events such as the World Swimming Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador. His company also started Ticketmaster in the Seattle area. One of the responsibilities he took on during that time was as Vice President of Marketing for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY where he was responsible for marketing, publicity, public relations and all revenue, including licensed products, ticketing and television rights. It was an experience of a lifetime.
In the early 1980s, John moved back to Seattle and was very active in the West Seattle community. He served as President of the West Seattle Chamber and as a member of the noise reduction committee for the 3rd runway at SeaTac Airport, the city-wide Alaskan Way Viaduct Committee, and the transportation committee, which helped plan the high level bridge, the Spokane street viaduct expansion, and the low level bridge replacement He helped start Greater Harbor 2000, a community based organization that created a new corridor plan for the Alki, Harbor Avenue, Spokane Street corridor, and served on the oversight committee that worked on plans for Pier 1/Pier 2, including the experimental water taxi.
His professional life for the last 25 included many facets of the real estate world, including selling residential real estate, brokering the West Seattle office of Coldwell Banker, and for the last 15 years as Executive Business Consultant for Coldwell Banker Corporate with responsibilities for all of the affiliate offices in Washington State, Alaska and Portland, OR.
While excelling in his professional life, John also spent his time on his many hobbies. His passions included wine collecting, mushroom picking, traveling, hiking, go-carting, fishing, and, most importantly, cooking. He spent much time racing and fixing cars with his grandson, Conor.
We all hope we can live up to John's decency, honesty and love of living. He was a tall, proud "John Wayne" kind of man who has touched so many lives.
John is survived by his wife of 29 years, Colleen; five daughters: Mary Rosner (Mike), Jeanine Hopping (Mack), Jacque Musgrave, Alicia Thompson (Ken) and Leah Applewhite; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind the mother of his children, Jan Musgrave Zwetsch (Gil), who has been a great supporter of John throughout their lives, his brother Jim (Jan), and his sisters Delcie Wakefield (Bill) and Ruth Smith, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
A celebration of his life will be held from 1-4pm, Nov. 8 at Hotel Andra, 2000 Fourth Ave, Seattle. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to honor him at the Statue of Liberty Plaza at Alki Beach and to support the Plaza maintenance fund. More info at John's blog http://mussmusings.blogspot.com.
The devoted family man, mentor, and friend eclipsed the description "renaissance man" as evidenced by success in his careers and many hobbies. Anything worth doing, he believed, was worth putting in your all.
John was born in Kansas City, Kansas on January 23, 1934 and grew up in Concordia, Missouri as a Southern Baptist Minister's son. He was student body president, basketball star, homecoming king, and his beautifully deep voice resonated in multiple singing groups. John graduated at the top of his class from the University of Missouri Journalism School. His first job was as a newspaper reporter in Blytheville, Arkansas where he found himself in the thick of the Little Rock segregation era.
His talents at basketball earned him a spot on the Boeing semi-pro team in Wichita, KS, and a job as a reporter on the company paper launched his career into marketing. Boeing ultimately sent John to Seattle where he published the company-wide Boeing newspaper and discovered his little piece of heaven on earth. After several years, Boeing transferred him to head up the Marketing Department of the Vertol division in Philadelphia where he traveled the world promoting their helicopters.
In 1971, he left Boeing to work for the Auerbach Corporation, one of the world's first computer companies, in Philadelphia. In late 1973, he was approached by an executive search firm to consider going to Spokane, Washington to help the floundering World's Fair. Seeing it as an incredible challenge and also a way to return to his beloved Washington, he took the job and moved his family to Spokane. His role as Vice President of Marketing in charge of public and press relations, publicity and ticketing helped Expo 74 open on schedule and its success transformed the city.
In 1975, he started his own public relations firm, JRM & Associates, Inc., where he was involved in events such as managing trade shows and major events such as the World Swimming Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador. His company also started Ticketmaster in the Seattle area. One of the responsibilities he took on during that time was as Vice President of Marketing for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY where he was responsible for marketing, publicity, public relations and all revenue, including licensed products, ticketing and television rights. It was an experience of a lifetime.
In the early 1980s, John moved back to Seattle and was very active in the West Seattle community. He served as President of the West Seattle Chamber and as a member of the noise reduction committee for the 3rd runway at SeaTac Airport, the city-wide Alaskan Way Viaduct Committee, and the transportation committee, which helped plan the high level bridge, the Spokane street viaduct expansion, and the low level bridge replacement He helped start Greater Harbor 2000, a community based organization that created a new corridor plan for the Alki, Harbor Avenue, Spokane Street corridor, and served on the oversight committee that worked on plans for Pier 1/Pier 2, including the experimental water taxi.
His professional life for the last 25 included many facets of the real estate world, including selling residential real estate, brokering the West Seattle office of Coldwell Banker, and for the last 15 years as Executive Business Consultant for Coldwell Banker Corporate with responsibilities for all of the affiliate offices in Washington State, Alaska and Portland, OR.
While excelling in his professional life, John also spent his time on his many hobbies. His passions included wine collecting, mushroom picking, traveling, hiking, go-carting, fishing, and, most importantly, cooking. He spent much time racing and fixing cars with his grandson, Conor.
We all hope we can live up to John's decency, honesty and love of living. He was a tall, proud "John Wayne" kind of man who has touched so many lives.
John is survived by his wife of 29 years, Colleen; five daughters: Mary Rosner (Mike), Jeanine Hopping (Mack), Jacque Musgrave, Alicia Thompson (Ken) and Leah Applewhite; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind the mother of his children, Jan Musgrave Zwetsch (Gil), who has been a great supporter of John throughout their lives, his brother Jim (Jan), and his sisters Delcie Wakefield (Bill) and Ruth Smith, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
A celebration of his life will be held from 1-4pm, Nov. 8 at Hotel Andra, 2000 Fourth Ave, Seattle. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to honor him at the Statue of Liberty Plaza at Alki Beach and to support the Plaza maintenance fund. More info at John's blog http://mussmusings.blogspot.com.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
NOT SO GOOD NEWS
My CT scan yesterday showed a worsening of my condition. Other tests showed thar my oxygen absorption rate has fallen to 80 which is very low. So, the doctor put me on oxegen.It is a bit of a pain to haul around, but does make me feel better. It has not however alleviated the severe shortness of breath we have been experiencing the last few days. The Tarceva was obviously doing no good so we are stopping that. Since that drug causes shortness of breath I am hoping that condition will improve. I have a couple of choices now. Give chemo another try or do nothing and let nature take its course. I'll let you know what I decide.
Friday, October 3, 2008
NOT MUCH NEW TO REPORT
The political scene has been interesting so that has kept me occupied. I think I am becoming a news wonk. Like everyone else I suspect I view everything through my own narrow lens, but I think it is interesting to watch people supposedly intelligent enough to be called experts differ completely on their analysis depending on whether they have a D or an R behind their name. The subject doesn't seem to make any difference. If the Ds say one thing the Rs will take the opposite point of view and vice versa. It makes you think that there is very little independent thought going on these days. It will probably come as a surprise to no one that I am supporting the Obama/Biden ticket. I truly believe we need a fresh approach to things and I believe those two will give us that. I wish everyone would join me in that choice, but then, I guess that is just my narrow point of view. I have been having a lot of trouble with fatigue the last couple of days. Of couse Afib, lung cancer, amiodarone and tarceva all have fatigue as side effects so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I have another CTscan next Wednesday so will let you know how that goes.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
UPDATE
My visit to the doctor today was uneventful. We did a blood test, but the results weren't back yet so we didn't learn anything from that. The main purpose of the visit was to assess how I am doing with Tarceva. So far I am having very minor side effects. So the next question is whether the medicine is doing any good. We will have another CTscan on Oct. 8 to see if the medicine is working. If it is we will continue to take it. I will keep you posted.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
GOOD NEWS
Our visit to the doctor today was quite encouraging. The cancer continues to show no sign of growth. In fact the doc says it has actually reduced to a small degee. He is recommending that I start on a drug called Tarceva. It is a once a day pill that is designed to keep the cancer from growing. So we will give it a try. There are some potential side effects, but the doc doesn't think they will be too severe. If that turns out to be true we will keep taking it. If not we can stop taking it. I'll be seeing the doc again in two weeks to assess results. I'll keep you informed.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
PROGRESS
comes slowly, but we are making progress. Physically
I am doing quite well, gaining strength and walking a mile a day. My hands are still a problem, but they are getting better. I am just impatient and want it to be quicker. I am sure that I will recover fully from the effects of the stroke. The wild card in all of this is the cancer. We will find out more about that tomorrow as I am scheduled for another CTScan. Our hope is that the cancer will still be showing no sign of progression. I will post again tomorrow and let you know where we stand.
I am doing quite well, gaining strength and walking a mile a day. My hands are still a problem, but they are getting better. I am just impatient and want it to be quicker. I am sure that I will recover fully from the effects of the stroke. The wild card in all of this is the cancer. We will find out more about that tomorrow as I am scheduled for another CTScan. Our hope is that the cancer will still be showing no sign of progression. I will post again tomorrow and let you know where we stand.
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