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Herbert
Cantor |
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Herb, oddly enough, had never been really sick during his life. As a matter of fact, the only time he was in the hospital previously was when he had his tonsil taken out as a kid. He always claimed they took out the wrong tonsil.
He did suffer from shortness of breath during the past year, and his doctors suspected clogged arteries. After an angiogram on his birthday in July, it was determined he needed heart bypass surgery.
He had a triple bypass and valve replacement operation on August 29, 2000, at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY. If it had gone well he would have been up the next day. However, there were complications, and the docs kept him sedated so that they could increase his heart output and control his fluctuating blood pressure. For twelve days he was unconscious and on a respirator.
Herb solved the doctors' problem about how and when to take
the respirator out by pulling the tube out himself on September 9 when he finally started
to wake up. He was incredibly weak after nearly two weeks of inactivity and no
nutrition. He couldn't talk or swallow because his vocal cords were swollen or damaged.
He was alert and communicating with us, even making jokes (you've probably heard them all
already). He either wrote us notes or spelled out words using the sign language
alphabet he made all his kids learn 30 years ago. While he improved in small increments,
he was frustrated, exhausted, and discouraged.
On September 19, his breathing became labored and he went back on the respirator.
The doctors suspected a massive infection. They took extensive measures and even
contemplated an operation. However, we knew Herb's wishes and his desire for a life worth
living.
He died on Thursday, September 21, 2000, at 12:02 pm. Present with him, talking with him
and holding his hand, were his wife, Millie, and his three children, Phil, Mady, and
Danny.
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