Hi again all!
I was blessed -we- were blessed beyond belief at the mass of people (estimated about 400+) who honored Allan in this last bash! I was able to catch some pictures and even a short video of the Patriot Guard Riders as they picked up Vicki from her house and motorcycle escorted her to the church. I got very few additional pictures-however, there were camera's flashing all over the place...and yes...we did see Mike in the bushes snapping away didn't we? (oh yes, I really said that.)
In short if you have pictures of the memorial service, please forward them in email!(there's a link to the right) I will be posting in the next week a compilation of the pictures that I receive right here on the blog for those who were unable to make it to the service or want to look back on the day. I would guess an additional 50ish people have emailed me that could not come. It will also be a wonderful addition to a keepsake scrapbook I am making.
Stay tuned for information on a "Memorial Run" that is in the works for those that ride. This is in the early planning stages-patience is a virtue-but it will happen.
Thank you all again for attending, it was a treat getting to fill in some of the missing puzzle pieces of his life. I walked away today feeling like I knew him better than ever, which is a comfort right now that is indescribable.
Blessings and Love
Randi Fay
PS~if you have not yet gotten the opportunity to see it, here is a link to the local obituary and a legacy guest book where all are welcome to sign and comment. It will be up for a year at which time we will print it and add to the above mentioned scrapbook. Thanks so much!
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sacbee/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=127204848
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Obituary
Readers of the local newspapers will find this website for the following obituary. Continue to scroll down for Memorial Service information and previous posts about Allan. Thank you~
ALLAN DAHLQUIST
Allan Dahlquist, 63, of Folsom, California passed away on May 5, 2009.
Allan was born on July 23, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY.
Following graduation from Bella Vista High School in Orangevale, CA in 1963, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served two tours in Vietnam as a communications specialist.
After his honorable discharge from the military in 1969, Allan began his career in communications.
In 1994, Allan married Vicki and together they parented two teenagers, motorcycled around the country, and enjoyed the company of their family and many friends. Allan was a 12 Step messenger beginning this journey in 1988, and mentored many men through the years.
He loved music and his bass guitar. He was actively involved in groups that reflected his love for people, sobriety, God and country.
Allan will be remembered for his kind spirit, encouraging word, bear hugs and his love for a little disabled roaddog named Corky.
Allan is survived by his wife, Vicki, of Folsom, CA; his father and step-mother, Allan and Eileen Dahlquist of Poulsbo, WA; son, Gregory Allan Dahlquist of Pollock Pines, two step-children, Paul Masten and Randi Fay Payton; his sisters and brothers-in law, Aleta and Desmond Gibson also of Poulsbo, WA, June and Gary Farris of Oregon and Chris and Buzz Severson of Cameron Park, CA; four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. His mother, Dorothy Dahlquist, predeceased him in 1987.
Memorial Services will be held on May 16, 2009 at 11:00 at Lakeside Church, 745 Oak Avenue Parkway, Folsom, CA A reception will immediately follow.
ALLAN DAHLQUIST
Allan Dahlquist, 63, of Folsom, California passed away on May 5, 2009.
Allan was born on July 23, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY.
Following graduation from Bella Vista High School in Orangevale, CA in 1963, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served two tours in Vietnam as a communications specialist.
After his honorable discharge from the military in 1969, Allan began his career in communications.
In 1994, Allan married Vicki and together they parented two teenagers, motorcycled around the country, and enjoyed the company of their family and many friends. Allan was a 12 Step messenger beginning this journey in 1988, and mentored many men through the years.
He loved music and his bass guitar. He was actively involved in groups that reflected his love for people, sobriety, God and country.
Allan will be remembered for his kind spirit, encouraging word, bear hugs and his love for a little disabled roaddog named Corky.
Allan is survived by his wife, Vicki, of Folsom, CA; his father and step-mother, Allan and Eileen Dahlquist of Poulsbo, WA; son, Gregory Allan Dahlquist of Pollock Pines, two step-children, Paul Masten and Randi Fay Payton; his sisters and brothers-in law, Aleta and Desmond Gibson also of Poulsbo, WA, June and Gary Farris of Oregon and Chris and Buzz Severson of Cameron Park, CA; four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. His mother, Dorothy Dahlquist, predeceased him in 1987.
Memorial Services will be held on May 16, 2009 at 11:00 at Lakeside Church, 745 Oak Avenue Parkway, Folsom, CA A reception will immediately follow.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
~Memorial Service Information~
The Memorial Service will be held at Lakeside Church in Folsom California at 11:00am on May 16th 2009.
Address of Lakeside Church: 745 Oak Avenue Parkway, Folsom, CA 95630.
A reception will follow at "the block" -the building right next to the main church-please look for it when you arrive.
All fellow bikers are requested to ride to the service in full leathers and most excellent helmets!
Formal/paper invitations will not be sent-please help spread the word to any non-internet folks who would want to attend.
If you are interested in offering assistance with food coordination or bringing food to share-the help will be much appreciated. Please email me a brief email with your name, contact phone number and what you would like to do/share. Food help only please! RandiFayPayton@gmail.com
All other aspects of his Memorial Service (including military) have been delegated or personally handled. The offers of help and of information have been more than plenty. Thank you so much for the wonderful support~
For it was not into my ear that you whispered...but into my heart...
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Sunday Afternoon
I went to the hospital this morning and spent some time bedside.
Allan is still running a fever between 101.5 and 102. Pressures around 15-17.
The Doctor gave me a rundown of other things his body is doing that indicate he is not able to maintain basic bodily functioning at this point. They had done yet another CT scan and had done a neuro assessment this morning that "didn't look very good at all." I'm not sure entirely what that meant other than just that.
The usual staff is back tomorrow and I am looking forward to another sit down with such.
This weekend has been eerie.
I'm hugging and loving my kiddos while it's the weekend, trying to keep my thoughts and heart reigned in.
I will update again tomorrow, or as soon as I have word of anything different.
A sweet pic of dad and Corkie sent by a friend...I love this one and just had to share!
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Still standing~ Randi Fay
Allan is still running a fever between 101.5 and 102. Pressures around 15-17.
The Doctor gave me a rundown of other things his body is doing that indicate he is not able to maintain basic bodily functioning at this point. They had done yet another CT scan and had done a neuro assessment this morning that "didn't look very good at all." I'm not sure entirely what that meant other than just that.
The usual staff is back tomorrow and I am looking forward to another sit down with such.
This weekend has been eerie.
I'm hugging and loving my kiddos while it's the weekend, trying to keep my thoughts and heart reigned in.
I will update again tomorrow, or as soon as I have word of anything different.
A sweet pic of dad and Corkie sent by a friend...I love this one and just had to share!
.jpg)
Still standing~ Randi FaySaturday, May 2, 2009
Saturday
Today sucked.
Last night upon returning from the hospital, little Corkie dog was doing her normal kicking activities. Those of us that know her know this is pretty normal activity. She was a bit excessive but seemed to calm and quiet herself if I turned down the lights and got things hushed in the house. She drank some water and was under her little blanket with her heating pad on.
This morning, she was at it again. I knew she had medication for the occasional times that this happened, but we hadn't been able to find any at dad's when we picked her up. I called Vicki. She was more familiar with this dog-she had owned Corkie's mom and her and I delivered Corkie and the rest of that litter in her walk in bedroom closet. She knew the vet dad uses and they allowed her to fill Corkies prescription medication. She drove to El Dorado Hills and picked it up and rushed to my house.
By the time she got to my house-Corkie was having a full blown seizure. We could not open her jaws to even try to get the tiny pill down her.
We wrapped her in a towel and went to the emergency vet up the street from my house as quickly as we could. It's halfway between here and the hospital dad is at so it's not more than five minutes away...
They didn't take very long to assess Corkie. The fit she was having had been going on for a while and we didn't realize it, possibly even from last night, even though she had drank water and seemed ok. She was...and I quote the veterinarian "having a seizure that likely induced a stroke and even if they gave her medication to calm her seizure, she is more than likely mentally gone by this point." It was firmly recommended to allow Corkie to be euthanized.
We just stared at each other. There are just not even words.
We left the veterinarian office in silence. $225.00 bill and Corkies baby blanket in hand.
My kitchen is empty. I feel a twinge of guilt-hindsight is 20/20. I'm so numb I can't see straight.
Per the advice of a new found cousin in Tahoe, I'm going to bed now. I'm just not going to think anymore today. I don't imagine I could if I wanted to.
Today sucked. That's all I have to say about that.
Randi Fay
Last night upon returning from the hospital, little Corkie dog was doing her normal kicking activities. Those of us that know her know this is pretty normal activity. She was a bit excessive but seemed to calm and quiet herself if I turned down the lights and got things hushed in the house. She drank some water and was under her little blanket with her heating pad on.
This morning, she was at it again. I knew she had medication for the occasional times that this happened, but we hadn't been able to find any at dad's when we picked her up. I called Vicki. She was more familiar with this dog-she had owned Corkie's mom and her and I delivered Corkie and the rest of that litter in her walk in bedroom closet. She knew the vet dad uses and they allowed her to fill Corkies prescription medication. She drove to El Dorado Hills and picked it up and rushed to my house.
By the time she got to my house-Corkie was having a full blown seizure. We could not open her jaws to even try to get the tiny pill down her.
We wrapped her in a towel and went to the emergency vet up the street from my house as quickly as we could. It's halfway between here and the hospital dad is at so it's not more than five minutes away...
They didn't take very long to assess Corkie. The fit she was having had been going on for a while and we didn't realize it, possibly even from last night, even though she had drank water and seemed ok. She was...and I quote the veterinarian "having a seizure that likely induced a stroke and even if they gave her medication to calm her seizure, she is more than likely mentally gone by this point." It was firmly recommended to allow Corkie to be euthanized.
We just stared at each other. There are just not even words.
We left the veterinarian office in silence. $225.00 bill and Corkies baby blanket in hand.
My kitchen is empty. I feel a twinge of guilt-hindsight is 20/20. I'm so numb I can't see straight.
Per the advice of a new found cousin in Tahoe, I'm going to bed now. I'm just not going to think anymore today. I don't imagine I could if I wanted to.
Today sucked. That's all I have to say about that.
Randi Fay
Friday, May 1, 2009
Friday Night
Allan's sister Aleta is coming from Washington and will arrive tomorrow afternoon. We look forward to her being present in person in these oh so important meetings.
His fever this evening was up and down averaging 103. He was under cooling blankets, and given tylenol (yeah, tylenol to control fever, even in trauma ICU). Yet, the 103 was persistant.
His cranial pressure was between 17 and 19.
He has a confirmed yeast infection in his mouth.
The ventriculo...--ok, the little post it with that word spelled out is gone from my notes. The "last ditch" procedure they performed....it pulls fluid out of the center of his brain-if I understand correctly it literally removes your spinal/brain fluid to make room. It's sucked into a little tube the size of a small baby bottle (forgive me, that's the most familiar comparison I have) next to his bed.
Still nothing solid about infection causing fever. The neuro said it is likely due to his brain not being able to maintain it.
Of course everything else-lungs, bones etc is the same.
They have special shoes on his feet to keep them bent-they remind me of his crocs, but with more velcro. His legs are wrapped in special equipment to prevent deep vein thrombosis-or him throwing a big blood clot from the legs to the lungs or brain....as if there wasn't enough to worry about.
The hardest part of any of this is that nothing is set in stone. There's no test that can answer the questions we all ask. The medical personnel commit to nothing, and rightfully so.
I come home. I kiss my babies. I pet the dogs. I assure Corkie that I am allowed to go into the kitchen. She assures me with certainty that I am totally wrong.
The words still do not seem to find a way to my fingertips.
So, we await Big Al's little sister with eagerness.
We are all just exhausted. We (my husband and I) made a promise to curl up with the kids and watch Shrek. I don't know how much I will focus, but I will stare at the screen for the sake of normalcy in their little lives.
I hope it is excused that I insert emotions on the blog. Even though the response via email and comments is alot, when it's just me and the "create post" screen it feels so personal . I don't expect everyone to feel what I feel. But I suppose you are forced to experience my perspective just a tad.
I light a candle. On the hierarchy of emotions, just under hope, lies wishing. (at least on my list). I light a candle. I stare at the little flickering orange flame, I watch it slowly melt the wax and I wish with all my being that things were different. The knowledge that they are not brings me to my knees.
His fever this evening was up and down averaging 103. He was under cooling blankets, and given tylenol (yeah, tylenol to control fever, even in trauma ICU). Yet, the 103 was persistant.
His cranial pressure was between 17 and 19.
He has a confirmed yeast infection in his mouth.
The ventriculo...--ok, the little post it with that word spelled out is gone from my notes. The "last ditch" procedure they performed....it pulls fluid out of the center of his brain-if I understand correctly it literally removes your spinal/brain fluid to make room. It's sucked into a little tube the size of a small baby bottle (forgive me, that's the most familiar comparison I have) next to his bed.
Still nothing solid about infection causing fever. The neuro said it is likely due to his brain not being able to maintain it.
Of course everything else-lungs, bones etc is the same.
They have special shoes on his feet to keep them bent-they remind me of his crocs, but with more velcro. His legs are wrapped in special equipment to prevent deep vein thrombosis-or him throwing a big blood clot from the legs to the lungs or brain....as if there wasn't enough to worry about.
The hardest part of any of this is that nothing is set in stone. There's no test that can answer the questions we all ask. The medical personnel commit to nothing, and rightfully so.
I come home. I kiss my babies. I pet the dogs. I assure Corkie that I am allowed to go into the kitchen. She assures me with certainty that I am totally wrong.
The words still do not seem to find a way to my fingertips.
So, we await Big Al's little sister with eagerness.
We are all just exhausted. We (my husband and I) made a promise to curl up with the kids and watch Shrek. I don't know how much I will focus, but I will stare at the screen for the sake of normalcy in their little lives.
I hope it is excused that I insert emotions on the blog. Even though the response via email and comments is alot, when it's just me and the "create post" screen it feels so personal . I don't expect everyone to feel what I feel. But I suppose you are forced to experience my perspective just a tad.
I light a candle. On the hierarchy of emotions, just under hope, lies wishing. (at least on my list). I light a candle. I stare at the little flickering orange flame, I watch it slowly melt the wax and I wish with all my being that things were different. The knowledge that they are not brings me to my knees.
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