my husband Shannon died

[lunarruna]

Hi all--
I have been away from the site--my husband Shannon died on July 28th, 2007, here at home with me and hospice nurses, as he wanted it. I had the chance to post this news on a couple other sites but am just getting back here. I dont know what I would have done without these online support groups--I was researching on them multiple times every day. I will stick around, as I suppose I am considered a veteran now...I hope to continue helping others, and will be needing your support myself to deal with this huge void.

Here is his obituary for those who are interested-- hope this isnt too long..we had a wonderful memorial service 8/4.
Thanks for your support over the past year or so,
Beth


Shannon Todd Swanson, 43, died at his home in Medicine Lake, Montana, on July 28, 2007, ending a three year journey with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Shannon was born November 26, 1963 in Fargo and grew up in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. After graduating from high school in Devil’s Lake he served four years in the U.S. Air Force, and then attended North Dakota State University. At NDSU he was in the McNair Scholars Program and graduated with a degree in Wildlife Biology in 1991. He attended graduate school at Idaho State University in Pocatello. After college, he worked as a marine fisheries observer for NOAA on fishing boats in Alaska’s Bering Sea. He returned to Devils Lake in 1993 to work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1998 he transferred to Upham, North Dakota as the interagency Fire Dispatcher for the state of North Dakota.

In 1999 he married Elizabeth Madden and they moved to Medicine Lake to work at the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Shannon was a prescribed fire specialist and wildland firefighter, as well as an accomplished biologist. He traveled throughout the country working on fires from Florida to Minnesota and Arizona to Idaho.

Shannon was a brilliant yet humble person. He was filled with compassion for others and a passion for life in general. He treasured the time spent together with family, usually working on “one project or another” and always with lots of laughter. He was active locally with the Medicine Lake Trap Club, Ducks Unlimited, and the Montana Native Plant Society. He lead an active life and his loves included bird-watching, hunting and fishing, gardening, woodworking, scuba diving, sailing, and traveling. He was equally active in intellectual pursuits, as an avid reader, a connoisseur of music, and a contemplative student of science and politics.

After being diagnosed with ALS in 2004, Shannon retired from the Fish and Wildlife Service and bought a large sailboat which he sailed from San Diego to Mexico with his wife, his brother, and his devoted dog Runa. He traveled, hunted, continued woodworking, and lived life to the fullest for a year and a half before the complications of ALS set in fully. He remained a loving and happy man to the end.

[Icanmanz]

Hi all--
I have been away from the site--my husband Shannon died on July 28th, 2007, here at home with me and hospice nurses, as he wanted it. I had the chance to post this news on a couple other sites but am just getting back here. I dont know what I would have done without these online support groups--I was researching on them multiple times every day. I will stick around, as I suppose I am considered a veteran now...I hope to continue helping others, and will be needing your support myself to deal with this huge void.

Here is his obituary for those who are interested-- hope this isnt too long..we had a wonderful memorial service 8/4.
Thanks for your support over the past year or so,
Beth


Shannon Todd Swanson, 43, died at his home in Medicine Lake, Montana, on July 28, 2007, ending a three year journey with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Shannon was born November 26, 1963 in Fargo and grew up in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. After graduating from high school in Devil’s Lake he served four years in the U.S. Air Force, and then attended North Dakota State University. At NDSU he was in the McNair Scholars Program and graduated with a degree in Wildlife Biology in 1991. He attended graduate school at Idaho State University in Pocatello. After college, he worked as a marine fisheries observer for NOAA on fishing boats in Alaska’s Bering Sea. He returned to Devils Lake in 1993 to work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1998 he transferred to Upham, North Dakota as the interagency Fire Dispatcher for the state of North Dakota.

In 1999 he married Elizabeth Madden and they moved to Medicine Lake to work at the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Shannon was a prescribed fire specialist and wildland firefighter, as well as an accomplished biologist. He traveled throughout the country working on fires from Florida to Minnesota and Arizona to Idaho.

Shannon was a brilliant yet humble person. He was filled with compassion for others and a passion for life in general. He treasured the time spent together with family, usually working on “one project or another” and always with lots of laughter. He was active locally with the Medicine Lake Trap Club, Ducks Unlimited, and the Montana Native Plant Society. He lead an active life and his loves included bird-watching, hunting and fishing, gardening, woodworking, scuba diving, sailing, and traveling. He was equally active in intellectual pursuits, as an avid reader, a connoisseur of music, and a contemplative student of science and politics.

After being diagnosed with ALS in 2004, Shannon retired from the Fish and Wildlife Service and bought a large sailboat which he sailed from San Diego to Mexico with his wife, his brother, and his devoted dog Runa. He traveled, hunted, continued woodworking, and lived life to the fullest for a year and a half before the complications of ALS set in fully. He remained a loving and happy man to the end.

Hi Beth,

May God bless you, and your family. May Shannon rest in peace! He is with his Heavenly Father, and his Pals brothers, and sisters, including my son Rudy, that passed at home, too, on June 3rd, 2007. Als claimed his life, too. What a beautiful legacy Shannon left behind. My other son is named Shannon, too! Beth, you take care of yourself, I am so pleased to hear that he had a wonderful service. Als is such a horrible disease, the only thing that is kinda okay about it is that it gives us folks a chance to plan a beautiful, and memorable funeral for our loved ones. Once again, God bless you, and your family.

xoxoxo,
Irma

[vmd]

I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Thank you for sharing the obituary.

[nspoc]

Hi Beth -

VERY sorry to hear the news. I have eagerly read your posts since I have been on this site. You have been so helpful and smart - I very much noticed hearing less from you. I am terribly sad that this is the reason.

I wish I could provide for you the support I have derived from you. Just know that I have been thinking of you - and will continue to do so. Please keep posting so we know how you are.

In the meantime - I wish for you peace and serenity. You have fought an incredible battle - and now I hope we can help you with support and caring.

All my best - Beth

[Beebe]

Dear Beth, So Sorry for you, ALS is a tough journey. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Fondly, Beebe

[midwestgirl]

Beth, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband, Shannon. He sounded like a wonderful person who lived life to the fullest as long as he could. You were such a caring and supportive partner in his battle with this horrible disease. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

[sherry0459]

Hi Beth, I am pretty new to the site DX3/07, but to read Shannons story is such an inspiration to me. Life is taken for granted by so many. He sounds like the type of guy that have lived life to the fullest even if he did not have ALS. I guess some people are so wonderful they can touch so many in a short period of time. He and you have touched my life and heart even after he has left us. My prayers are with you and your families. Sherry

[caroliney]

Beth, Just read this obituary on Shannon and was sorry to hear of your loss. You touched our hearts by your kindness and careing reply, and was not aware of the void you must be feeling. I am truly sorry that we were not aware before I sent you a private message (which I hope you have received by now). Please keep in touch and perhaps we can lean on one another, I know I could use your expertise on this challenge we are facing. Love, Hugs,God Bless. Caroliney

[liz]

Beth -

So sorry for your loss. Your love for Shannon shone through in all your posts. I know you'll miss him deeply.

Peace,

Liz

[CindyM]

Beth- my definition of a successful person is one who is described in his obituary as someone who remained a happy and loving individual to the end. There is no larger or more purposeful goal to which one can aspire. All my best, Cindy

[Willow]

I am so very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Willow

[KateO]

I am sorry for your loss. I'm pretty new to this Forum and to ALS (diagnosed 3/07). With no hope for slowing down or curing this terrible disease, it is reassuring to read about spouses who are so devoted and loving to their partner with ALS.

Thanks so much for sharing your stories with us. Best wishes on your new journey. Are you considering attending the Missoula ALS workshop next Friday?

[Montana Carol]

Beth, fellow Montanan, I was missing your posts and wondering what was going on with you and Shannon. I was so inspired by your commitment to freely sharing the burdens of Shannon's illness, and I hope you won't feel too alone now that he's gone from sight. I hope you have at least a fraction of the support from others that you gave to your beloved partner. God bless you and give you peace! If you feel like coming to the Montana Icebreakers conference on Aug. 17, I sure would love to meet you and continue learning from you. :cry: Carol

[olegrandad]

I don't know how you'll take this, but you're lucky. I have to fight my wife's daughter in court, unfortunately also named Shannon, for guardianship, so that my wife can die at home where she wants to be. She got a temporary guardianship and removed her from our home. Seem's I wasn't taking good enough care of her myself. I pray that I can be as lucky as you, if you want to call it that, and have my wife die where she wants to be the most. Mike

[Al]

Hi Beth. Sorry to hear about Shannon. Yes I would say you are a veteran and have lots to contribute. Please offer your advice whenever you can.
AL.

[trustinggod]

Dear Beth,

I too am so very sorry for the loss of your husband, Shannon.

I pray that you'll find comfort in knowing that you stood by him till the end and lovingly cared for him each day. Knowing he is free from the suffering has to be a relief as well.

May God richly bless you with happy memories and loved ones around you to help you walk through the days of sorrow and onto a future of hope.

Until then, always know that we are here for you and understand the pain you feel.

Hugs to you,
Jeanne

[anne]

Dear Shannon...I was so touched reading the obituary for your dear husband Shannon. He truely was a wonderful person. May you find peace knowing that he is in a better place without ALS, the cruelest disease. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless. Anne

[Frizzel]

Thank you for not just leaving the forum. Like others have shared, you have a lot to offer when you have it in you Beth. I'm sad for you and yet, I'm sure in some ways it is a bitter sweet. We appreciate you letting us in on Shannon's tribute. All the best as you face your future.

[lunarruna]

Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement...I am doing okay. I wont be making it to the MT conference because I have relatives coming then, but otherwise I would love to meet you guys....don't be afraid to ask for my help, and be sure and let me know if there are future MT meetings planned.
Mike--I am so sorry to hear that wife is not being allowed to stay at home...it really should be up to her I would think..you hang in there--tough times for sure.
Take care all--Beth

[terri]

Hi Beth,

I'm sorry to hear about Shannon. I walked you shoes when I lost LB on the 15th of July. It's tough missing them so much, isn't it?

Take care,

terri

[Montana Carol]

KateO, I missed you today at the Montana Icebreakers Conference. I have all the handouts for you, if you'll private-message me and tell me how to get 'em to you. It was very informative and heartwarming. I hope everything is all right with you, and that you didn't have trouble driving or get sick or anything. I'd PM you, but you haven't enabled that feature, I guess. Sorry to be off this thread topic. Carol

[TerryO]

Dear Beth,
i am very sorry to hear of Shannons passing. Please know that we are all here for you anytime. I am glad to here that you were able to keep him at home with you. Take care of yourself. Terry

[hkohlman]

Beth I have been really busy and just found out of Shannons passing. Please let me know if there is anything I can do. You are in my prayers daily!!!
If you ever make it to Billings I would love to meet you.

Heather:(

[Paty]

Hi good old friend Beth:

I am so sorry for Shannon's death, but now he's resting in peace like he wished to, I have been away from the forums, since my husband had a trach and gastrostomy done, because he stopped breathing, although he had told us he didn't wished to be connected to a ventilator, we couldn't let him die choking, here in Mexico you cannot sedate anyone to abide by his wishes no to be connected, it is considered Euthanasia which is not permitted unless brain death occurs.

He's going through neumonia, and hopefully we will be coming home next week.

May God bless you, and remember you now have a good friend in Mexico, thank you very much for your support.

Paty
Husband's Caregiver DX 10/17/07
Baja California, Mexico

P.D. Beautiful obituary
May God bless you