Timeline
Rick's Note: The
purpose of sharing these emails is to show the utter normalcy of Jim
and Judy's life throughout 2013. There is no hint of medical
issues. I had not the slightest inkling that Jim had serious medical
issues.
There are several other
points that can be surmised here. One is that Jim and Judy
were two very busy professionals. Second, Jim and Judy
traveled a great deal. They frequently had to miss a week of dance
class or a month of dance class, but they always came back to it
when they had the time.
From: Judy K
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2012 12:42 PM
To: rick@ssqq.com
Subject: Sign us up
Hi Rick,
We've been away for a while and have missed dancing. We also
miss you, too
We, Jim & Judy, want to do the Intermediate western polka again
and see if we remember anything.
Rick's Reply:
GREAT! I will see you at Chapelwood on Monday evening. Rick
From: Judy K
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2012 9:15 AM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: Sundance Newsletter - Western Dancing at Chandelier
this Saturday!
Jim & Judy here. Just to let you know, if it's the same dance,
we used to do the "Barn Dance" to the "Watermelon Crawl", about
twice a month back in Michigan.
If you remember, I
told you that when I met Jim I told him he had to learn to
dance. I had belonged to a very large single group that had
dances every two weeks. We did a lot of mixers and line dances
so if you didn't have a partner you could still get out on the
floor. The barn dance was one.
Jim was a very good sport and tried learning them all. The Barn
Dance was the easiest. I'll see if I can twist his arm get Jim
to your open house.
From: Judy K
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 9:44 AM
To: rick@ssqq.com
Subject: sign us up
Judy & Jim here, sign us up for the slow dance class. :-)
From: Judy K
Sent: Thursday,
December 06, 2012 11:16 AM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: Sundance Newsletter - the April 2013 Mariner Cruise
is a Go
Rick,
Jim & I won't be there tonight. I have some nasty Bug which has
decided to makes its home in my chest, in addition to a horrible
cough. Don't think you or anyone else wants me breathing on
anyone. I just hope Jim doesn't get it.
The April cruise sounds wonderful but since it's the week before
tax deadline, that takes precedence. Hope to see you Monday.
Judy & Jim
PS I am not possessive ,but Jim has to take two engineers from
Taiwan out to dinner tonight while I drink chicken soup.
Rick's Reply:
Hope you feel better. Send Jim over on his own if his date w the
engineers falls thru.
(Rick's Note: At
this point, Jim and Judy were taking Sophisticated Slow
Dance from me here at my home dance studio. Previously
they had been taking Synchronized Polka and Western Polka at
Chapelwood Church)
2013: JIM AND
JUDY BEGIN MY FIVE MONTH WALTZ CLASS
From: Judy K
Sent: Wednesday,
March 06,
2013 12:55 PM
To: rick@ssqq.com
Subject: March classes Judy & Jim
Hi Rick
I did fly back from the lands of ice & snow (every day!) We
drove to Chapelwood Monday and discovered= NO class. We want to
attend your Thursday Western Waltz class. Hope there is room.
So glad to be home. See you then.
Rick's Reply:
I am so sorry about Chapelwood… they told me we could not have
class there last Monday, but we are good for next Monday.
Love to have you in the Waltz class… you will have a ball!!
From: Judy K
Sent: Monday,
May 06, 2013 12:04 PM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: SSQQ Travel Newsletter - Announcing the Rhone River
Cruise 2014
HI Rick!
Jim & I were in Cabo San Lucas and got back last night. Tax
season was rough!!! Missed dancing a lot.
Can we still get in Thursdays Western Waltz, even though we
missed April??
Rick's Reply:
Absolutely!! That class is thriving. I can't help you this week
because I already have a lesson scheduled at 615, but next
Thursday I will donate a half hour to cover some of what you
have missed.
From: Judy K
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 11:24 AM
To: rick@ssqq.com
Subject: western waltz
See you next Thursday in Waltz class :-)
From: Rick Archer
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 10:42 AM
To: Judy K
Subject: Thursday August Waltz class
Hi Judy,
I have one last Waltz class in me before I have to start all
over again with a new cycle. The material is not all that
difficult, and the moves are fun and practical. Now that the two
of you have quite a bit of Waltz under your belt, tell Jim he
will find this month easier than the previous ones.
I would be thrilled if you and Jim were up for the final round…
Month 5. We start this Thursday.
(Rick's Note:
At this point, Jim and Judy continued taking Western Waltz
throughout the summer 2013 here at my house. The
reader needs to understand is that I typically communicated
with Judy, not Jim. That's explains why I don't feel
like I ever got to know Jim as well as I would have liked.)
From: Rick Archer
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 10:44 AM
To: Judy K
Subject: RE: Thursday August Waltz class
This is "the Final Round". I have several great Waltz patterns
left and wanted to make sure they saw the Light of Day in 2013.
If you guys can make it tomorrow, I will throw in a private
lesson on the house to help catch up for any time missed this
month.
From: Judy K
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 3:35 PM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: Thursday August Waltz class
I would love to attend, but will have to discuss with Jim. We
will be vacationing with my family Torch Lake, Michigan up by
Mackinaw so will miss Aug 15. I am staying on another week, so
will have to see if Jim will go without me. since there are 5
Thursday, I assume you start another cycle the last Thursday.
A Letter from
Margaret Easley (note: Margaret and her husband Tom took the
Waltz class with Jim and Judy)
I am shattered over Jim’s death.
I remember Jim
clearly since he was in several of our classes both at
Chapelwood and your house. He was a very nice man and a
terrific dancer. I was always glad to see Jim “rotate” to me!
I didn’t know Judy as well, since the women didn’t dance with
each other! However, I know Judy has
to be an exceptional person to have Jim as her mate!
My thoughts and prayers are with her and
her family.
Love to all,
Margaret
Friday, August 30, 2013 - At the
Pavillion
On the last Friday in
August, my friend Gary Richardson hosted the Grateful Geezers dance
party at the Pavillion.
The Geezers play music
best suited for East and West Coast Swing. I asked my friend
Susie Allen (Soileau) to dance West Coast with me on a side floor
because the main floor was too crowded. After the song was
over, I looked up and saw Jim and Judy smiling at me.
I remember blushing. I had not realized that
they were watching. You know the old saying, 'dance as if no
one is watching'. There's some truth to that. Like
anyone else, I dance better when I relax and simply try to have fun
rather than show off. Oddly enough, by not trying to show off,
I do even better. There's surely a lesson there somewhere.
At any rate, I went over
to say hello. After the Chapelwood classes earlier in the year
and having them in Waltz class all summer, I felt like I had gotten
to know Jim and Judy fairly well.
After giving me a nice
compliment about my dancing, Judy began to ask about our River
Cruise to France scheduled for April 2014. I answered a couple
questions, and then I decided to go get the expert. So I went back
to my table and asked my wife Marla to come chat with Jim and Judy.
The three of them had a
long talk. I think I went and danced. After the song, I
came back and they were still talking.
Two days later, Jim and
Judy signed up for the river cruise. The next time I saw them
in dance class, they were so excited!
A trip like this had
been a dream of theirs for a long time.
SEPTEMBER
2013 - The Rhone River Cruise to France
At this point, two
things happened. First, Jim and Judy had learned from the
Geezer party that they needed West Coast Swing lessons. So
they taking West Coast classes from Gary Richardson.
The other thing that
happened is that Judy K told her San Francisco friend Judy E about
the trip.
Out of the blue, Judy E
decided she wanted to go to France too.
That led to one of the
best conversations I ever had with Jim. Before dance class,
Judy was busy, so I asked Jim about Judy E from California.
Apparently there had
been a high school reunion that past summer that took place out in
the Bay Area. The two Judy's had been best friends back in
high school and that friendship was as strong as ever today. Jim had
gotten to meet an incredibly close knit group at a "Big Chill" type
private reunion party hosted by Judy E. The way Jim's
eyes lit up, that party was nothing short of sensational. It was
hosted at a very wonderful wine valley estate. Jim said he had
met a half dozen couples and had the best time of his life. In
his words, "that was the best party I've ever been to!"
It must have been quite
a party indeed because now something strange happened. Out of
the blue, one couple after another began to sign up for Marla's
river cruise. Obviously this was a well-heeled crowd.
After the dust settled, 9 people had signed up for the cruise.
The ringleader was Judy
E. She had talked these other four couples into going.
And get this - it was supposed to be a surprise for Judy K.
Judy was not supposed to know about it! The plan was for Judy
K and Jim to get on the river cruise ship and SURPRISE SURPRISE!!
Nine people had signed
up and the only one Judy K was allowed to know about was her friend
Judy E.
Well, Marla and I were
both grateful. We were grateful to Jim and Judy for passing
the idea on to Judy E. And we were grateful to Judy E for
talking 8 friends into going along.
So I expressed my
gratitude by writing this letter:
From:
Rick Archer
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2013 2:24 PM
To: 'judye
Subject: Thank you so much!
Hi Judy
E,
I am Rick Archer,
Marla’s husband. I just got through adding the names of your
friends 33/34 Thomas and Meredith Wells to the list of
passengers for our France
Rhone River Cruise next
April.
As I said in my
most recent newsletter –
“Marla and I celebrated a very special moment this past
week. Marla sold her 16th cabin on the River
Cruise. Take a guess why that is significant.
It means we now get a free cocktail party just for our group
alone!! Ta da!
I've been grinning all week long because I can't figure out
why either of us cares so much. Obviously a free cocktail party
is a big deal on our regular dance cruises because everyone
knows how expensive drinks are on a cruise.
But on a cruise where the wine is free all week long, why
should we even care about a free cocktail party? I think it is
‘the thought that counts’. I think Marla and I are tickled pink
because selling 16 cabins is such an incredible accomplishment.
It is fun to see a big gamble pay off.
I wish I didn't have to say this, but River Cruises are very
expensive. And then you have to add in the costly
trans-Atlantic air far. The price tag alone makes this trip
very difficult to afford. So to get 32 people to sign up for an
exotic trip like this is a huge compliment to Marla. My wife
has proven to be so good at organizing these trips that people
have complete confidence in her at this point. In other words,
this trip is a real milestone in Marla's career as a trip
organizer.
I would like to put what Marla has done in a slightly
different light. This longboat only holds 190 passengers. That
means 1 out of every 6 passengers on the boat is with Marla's
group. That is a pretty incredible statistic.
There have been a couple times when Marla's group has
approached 200 people on a dance cruise, but that meant our
group was only 1/16th of the grand total. There’s a
big difference between 1/6th and 1/16th.
I remember when Marla booked this trip. Marla said she was
going way out on a limb here. She expected 8 to 10 people at
most. 32 is way beyond her wildest expectation. I can't help
but stand in awe of what Marla has done.”
I am writing, Judy,
because you deserve so much credit the success of this trip as
well. Every time a new registration rolls in, Marla and I sit
in slack-jawed amazement at your powers of persuasion!
Hypnosis? Drugs? Blackmail? Please tell me your secret!
So of course I
asked Judy Klevorn about you. I had to! Judy laughed and said
you are a very powerful lady indeed. She showed me your picture
on her phone, then spoke in glowing terms of a fairly recent
high school graduation party you threw for all your friends.
Her husband Jim nodded in agreement. Jim said it was the best
party he had been to in ages.
Naturally Marla and
I look forward to meeting you and thanking you in person. I
also look forward to meeting your California Band of Brothers
and Sisters. By the way, did you know Marla is from
California? Somewhere in Orange County south of L.A.
I understand that
you Northern California types consider Southern California to be
a different country, but Marla is so great I have to believe
some of the positive sides of the state have rubbed off on her.
Marla will be so relieved to be back in the company of
civilized, non-texas people!
Switching to a more
serious tone, I want you to know that both Marla and I
understand full well the concept of ‘gratitude’. You have done
for us an unbelievable service by promoting this trip. It is a
real honor to know you have so much confidence in a couple of
strangers like us… so now we both wish to make sure your trip is
perfect
If there is any way
we can return the kindness that you have shown us, just say the
word. As for me, I am ready to grant you any favor that is
within my realistic power to deliver.
For example, I
understand there is some friendly cloak and dagger involving at
least one of your couples. If you wish to pull a surprise of
some sort on Judy K, just tell me what to do and I will help you
set it up.
Sincerely,
Rick Archer
One realizes of course
that September 20th, the date of my letter, wasn't that long ago.
Jim McCue would die six months later to the day. I cannot get
that thought out of my head. To see how excited Jim and Judy
were about this dream trip and to know about all the friends who
loved them enough to sign up for a trip in part so they could
celebrate their friendship... well, it hurts me to think about it.
OCTOBER 2013 - THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG
From: Judy K
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2013 11:28 AM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: SSQQ Travel Newsletter - Back from Hawaii and
October Dance Classes
Rick, Guess what?
Total of my friends
on the Rhone cruise is now up to nine, thanks to my friend Judy
E. Tom & Meredith from Cincinnati, Wow! I have known
them since grade school!
Rick's Reply:
From: Rick Archer
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2013 12:55 PM
To: Judy K
Subject: Rhone Cruise VIP
Hi Judy!
Marla and I are well aware of the extent of your contribution to
this trip's success, but I was unable to thank you properly
because I was sworn to secrecy by your friend Judy Everett. You
have surely noticed all the
anonymous name postings on the passenger page. That was at
Judy E's request.
Obviously you found out somehow. Now you are getting me in
trouble!
This was supposed to be a HUGE SECRET. They were all going to
surprise you at some point.
I hope your friend Judy doesn't think I am the source of the
leak.
Out of curiosity, just how did you find out?? I bet it is a
great story.
From: Judy K
Sent: Saturday, October 12, 2013 6:08 PM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: Rhone Cruise
Rick, Its very simple. Telephones and emails.
You shouldn't be in hot water. Judy E copies everyone in her
emails!!! If it was a secret she should have blind-carbon copied
everyone LOL!
Judy E has been
making all the arrangement for our flights, three day adventure
in Aix, before the trip, & our hotels and three days after in
Paris. Meredith called me & asked if it was Judy E. who
persuaded Jim & I to go, and asked a lot of other questions as
they are not world travelers like Judy E & I .
Another Very LOONG
story.
We finally persuaded
Tom & Meredith to stay on for Paris, at first he didn't want to
be away from work that long.
BTW. She was also
working on another couple from Michigan, but he couldn't away
from work that long. She told him to have his wife come!
Judy E is relentless.
See you Sunday
...............
From: Rick Archer
Sent: Thursday,
November 07, 2013 12:34 PM
To: judy k
Subject: sophisticated slow dance
Hi Judy,
I wanted to offer you and Jim a free dance class to thank you
for all you did to make the France trip so successful.
If you guys feel like taking the Slow Dance class again (it
starts tonight), feel free to drop by. It would be fun to see
you.
From: Judy K
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 4:30 PM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: sophisticated slow dance
Jim and I are thankful for the gift. We would love to come, but
we can't make it tonight. I just got home and Jim is working on
big presentation for tomorrow AM
See you the 14 and 17. The 28th is Thanksgiving day; are you
having any classes in December?
(Rick's Note:
I saw Jim and Judy about every other Thursday for Slow
Dancing throughout November and December. One night I
asked the class if they wanted to stay late and practice
dancing for one more song. I remember a look of
anguish that crossed Jim's face. He clearly didn't
want to dance any more. I didn't take it personally; I
assumed he was tired.)
...........
From: Judy K
Sent: Wednesday,
January 08, 2014 1:40 PM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: SSQQ Travel Newsletter - January Dance Classes
We are going to try the Four in One class. See you Thursday
Rick's Reply:
Wunderbar!
From: Judy K
Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2014 10:42 AM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: SSQQ Travel Newsletter - January Dance Classes
Oh, now what would that be in French?
And by the way, Jim & I vote for a China river cruise trip
Rick's Reply:
Magnifique!
I will let Marla know of your interest in China. Hmm. Me too!!
(Rick's Note:
As of January 9, Judy K was talking about the future.
How could any of us have known??)
......
VAGUE
RECOLLECTIONS
Rick's Note:
The email trail that helps me keep track went cold at this
point. So I need to rely on my memory which is so-so at
best. I know I had a serious conversation with Judy in
late January or early February. I don't remember if it was
in dance class or on the phone. I am guessing it was a
phone call because I can't imagine how Judy would talk candidly
if Jim was around.
Judy phoned me to
say they would have to miss dance class for a while. Jim
had experienced recent heart issues and was forced to go have it
checked. The doctor decided he need to have a stent placed
in his heart artery.
I wondered how Jim
was doing. That's when I got my answer.
From: Judy K
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 4:13 PM
To: Rick Archer
Subject: tonight lesson
We are planning on coming tonight, but we will have to see
how much Jim can do. When we went to Gary's west coast, he
could practice the steps but when it came to dancing to the
music and changing partners he sat it out. we'll just have
to see how much activity he can do.
From: Rick Archer
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 4:36 PM
To: 'jk'
Subject: RE: tonight lesson
Wow! Jim is quite the trooper, isn't he?
Bring him over; he can rest all he wants. That's amazing!
I was thrilled to
see the two of them show up for my Thursday dance class.
To my shock, Jim was walking, talking, and smiling. I
couldn't believe how healthy he looked. Even more
impressive, Jim was ready to dance!
Normally I have
people rotate partners during class, but I isolated Jim and Judy
in the corner so that he could sit down if he needed to. I
recall Jim making it through the entire class without an issue.
My friend Gary
Richardson said Jim had done the same thing earlier in his
Monday class. Jim had told Gary he just came to watch and
learn, but Jim couldn't bear sitting there. Jim got up and
danced for 45 minutes. At that point he was pooped out,
but completely happy. Jim had a big grin on his face. Gary told me he just stared at Jim
in admiration.
To both Gary and I,
Jim seemed the picture of health. Sure, he got tired, but
don't we all? To my eyes, Jim seemed well on his way to recovery.
Gary and I were both super
happy for Jim and for Judy. I believe this took place in
mid-February 2014.
After class, I
remember speaking with Judy K. I asked her how this stent would
affect the River Cruise. Judy whispered that Jim was not out of
the woods. He had to have open heart surgery at some
point. She said Jim had an appointment on Monday about further
surgery. Jim, she said, wanted to postpone the
surgery till after the River cruise to France.
I am embarrassed to
say this, but my first impression was that the heart problem
could not be serious. After all, if a heart problem is
serious, you don't get to choose the date of your surgery.
Still, I wanted to
know. So I sent this email:
From: Rick
Archer
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2014 3:55 PM
To: Judy K
Subject: RE: tonight lesson
So what did the doctor say? Before the trip or after the
trip??
I didn't get an
answer which left me worried.
After their
appearance in dance class, Judy and Jim disappeared for a couple
weeks. However, it turned out they had been traveling.
At the end of February I got an email from Judy K.
Judy was replying to Gary, but included me in her answer.
From: Gary
Richardson
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 10:16 AM
To: Judy Klevorn
Subject: How is Jim doing?
Missed you Tuesday. Hope you can join us again soon.
From: judy k
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 12:04 PM
To: Gary and Rick
Subject: Re: How is Jim doing?
I am surviving Michigan right now, Jim won't go to anything
without me. It got up to 11 today; was down to 2 last night
with a wind chill factor of -15. the weather girl there has
been over 100 days below freezing. I don't know how they can
put up with it!
I fly back to Houston tomorrow.
Jim has doctors appointments Monday and Tuesday with the
thoracic surgeon. Open heart surgery will be either
Wednesday or Thursday down at St Luke's.
He wants to postpone it until after the trip to France in
April, but we will let the doctor make the call.
Rick's Reply:
Tough call on
the 'timing'. If the surgery is done 'NOW', what are Jim's
chances of recuperating by the time of the trip?
From: Judy K
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2014 12:40 PM
To: Rick Archer
Subject: Fwd: RE: How is Jim doing?
We will have to see what doc says.
He's bound & determined to go.
Told him we
might have to see about a wheel chair which went over like a
lead balloon
..............
From: Judy K
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 12:05 PM
To: Rick
Cc: Subject: Jim
Jim will have open heart surgery Monday March 10, 2014. We
have to be there at 5:30am.
He should be in the hospital at least a week.
Keep him in your prayers.
From: Rick Archer
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2014 10:28 AM
To: Judy K
Subject: RE: Jim
I will certainly keep Jim in my thoughts. What are his
chances of recovering in time for the trip to France??
From: Judy K
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2014 3:21 PM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: Jim
Jim still thinks he can do it.
Doc said lifting suitcases is definite no-no, but my friend Judy
E said there will be three other men in our group to help. Doc
said that Jim being a diabetic, the sternum may take longer
to heal, so 4 weeks is pushing it.
Rick's Reply:
Count me in -
carry stuff, push a wheelchair, lend an arm… you name it.
Whatever it takes.
Rick's
Note: I still did not completely grasp the
seriousness of whatever procedure was being scheduled.
All I knew is that Jim had been dancing again within
days of the Stent placement and was ready to postpone
the surgery until after the River Cruise. However,
the fact that they decided to go ahead with the surgery
before the trip did not sound good. I began to worry.
In retrospect, I feel so
foolish. The thing that I wanted the most was for Jim to go on
that river cruise trip. Every time Jim came to dance class, we
would chat about that cruise during a break in the action. Jim
talked about putting his feet up on the railing and sipping a glass
of wine as he watched the French vineyards pass by from his
riverboat perch. I told him I would like to join him for that.
And then we would both smile.
What I should have been
thinking about was his health, but Jim never once said a word about
his heart problems.
.............
From: Judy K's son Matt wrote
this letter
Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2014 9:38 AM
To:
Subject: FW: Update On Jim
As of this AM Jim was doing better. Blood pressure and
hemoglobin are up and maintaining. So they are taking able
to reduce some of the medications. This includes the amount
of sedatives most responsive to date. All good signs so the
doctors are making plans to get him off the ECMO by Monday.
But his heart is
not strong enough to work on it's own. So he being evaluated
for either an external pump, he would then have an internal
pump/artificial heart or transplant. This involves a lot of
screenings of Jim's health and support network (i.e. Mom).
So far they have cleared the first couple including the
Social Work - Transplant screening.
He will continue to recover through the weekend. Then on
Monday morning he will likely go info for an External Heart
pump.
Mom is also working with a team of nurses and social workers
to help with everything from health insurance filings and
disability to just keeping bank accounts managed and letting
the dogs out.
She was staying at a hotel close to the hospital for the
first couple nights. Neighbors, friends and their pastor
have been helping out, but the dogs, house and bills need
tending to. She is back at home and doing the 1-3 hour
commute each way. I swear, Houston traffic is worse than
Chicago. Mom will go be back in the hotel Sunday night so
she can be there for the surgery first thing Monday AM.
For now, he
needs to keep getting stronger in prep for Monday,
Both of them needs your thoughts, prayers and support.
Please feel free to let others know. I know she would really
appreciate texts and email of love, prayers and
encouragement. Just please know, mom is under a lot of
stress right now so please keep the phone calls to an
absolute minimum.
She can talk your ear off later!!!!
Love and hugs to you all, Matt
.............
Rick's
Note: I was left in the dark after Matt's
email. Based on Matt's email, it seems like Jim had just had
his surgery (forgive me if I am wrong). And it seems like they
were getting ready to do a second surgery [Matt: For now, he
needs to keep getting stronger in prep for Monday...]
This is what happened
next.
THE
WEDNESDAY 10:30 PM
PHONE CALL (March 19)
Sometime around
10:30 pm, Wednesday, March 19, Judy called Marla on Marla's
business line and left a message . Judy relayed some
very depressing news. The first thing Judy said was
that she would have to cancel the cruise.
I remember
Judy's exact words, "I know it will break Jim's heart
to cancel that cruise..."
The irony in
that statement is impossible to miss. I am still
haunted by those words.
Judy went on to
say the surgery was a fiasco. Jim had basically died
on the operating table only to be revived. He had then
been placed in a medical coma. The horrible details
Judy listed about everything that had gone wrong in the
surgery detailed a medical scenario pretty close to the
worst nightmare possible.
As I listened to
the pain in her voice, I started to cry. It didn't
sound like Jim had much of a chance.
We all hope for
the best, but we know that sometimes things go terribly
wrong.
Judy's phone call
came in around 10:30 pm March 19 and Jim died on March 19.
Therefore I have to assume Jim died shortly
after Judy's phone call.
CONFIRMATION
The very next
morning I turned on my computer at 7:30 am. This email
froze me on the spot.
From: Gary
Richardson
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2014 7:18 AM
To:
Subject: Jim McCue passed away yesterday afternoon
(03/19/2014)
I received a message this morning from Judy Klevorn that Jim
passed away. Jim had heart troubles. He and Judy have been
in my dance class for many recent months...great guy. For
those of you who knew him, I know all of us will miss him.
From: Rick Archer
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2014 7:53 AM
To: Judy K
Subject: I am so sorry!
Judy, just got the news from Gary Richardson. Marla and I
are both very upset.
If there is anything we can do to help you through this
tragedy, just say the word.
From: Judy K
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2014 2:10 PM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: I am so sorry!
Thank you. The girls had a list of people to call and you
were on the list. They are out having lunch and admitted
they haven't started on it. Everything is so hard. My Body
is still reeling and my mind can't accept that he isn't here
and won't be; that all our plans and dreams for the future
are just gone.
I am in the beginning phase of having a memorial next Sat
about 11:00 am. Details in the works. I'll ask you send to
our dance community friends.
After that and when everyone is gone is when I'll probably
need some time with friends to keep me occupied.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Rick's Note:
In my opinion, Jim's
sudden passing was a tragedy. I am not a doctor nor do I
know any facts regarding Jim's medical condition. I simply
have a gut feeling that Jim didn't catch a single break.
Whatever could go wrong, did go wrong.
I know the doctors
at Saint Luke's are the finest heart doctors in the world.
And I also know that Jim had everything to live for - a loving
wife, great kids, great job, great friends and a dream vacation
awaiting him that he keenly anticipated.
Therefore it is hard
for me to accept that the doctors could not save this man.
If it was a medical emergency where the paramedics brought the man
in on life support, that one's thing. But to have Jim
McCue walk into the hospital under his own power for a scheduled
surgery and see everything under the sun go wrong is very
upsetting to me.
I heard from a
source that my instincts were correct - something did go
terribly wrong.
Jim had heart
surgery back in 1998. There was apparently some scar
tissue, whatever, but the area of the previous work needed a
"patch". So they took a vein from his leg and used it to
repair the area from 1998. Only one problem - the vein
they took was no good. It was damaged in some way and
completely blocked.
In other words, it
was the repair job that created the fatality. By the time
they realized what the problem was, the blocked vein did so much
damage that now Jim needed a completely new heart.
Should Jim have gone
on the river cruise? Well, this is a question I am not
qualified to answer. I do wonder why they didn't test that
vein ahead of time.
All I know is that a
good man is dead long before his time.
A
WELL-RESPECTED MAN
The one thing my
friend Gary Richardson said over and over was what a nice guy
Jim was. Always friendly, always smiling, always a joy to
be around. I completely agree with Gary's opinion.
Jim was a very warm, affable person, easy to like.
I would like to add
that Jim had a toughness about him. I saw Jim tired on
several occasions, but through will power he made sure he
participated nevertheless. I respect Jim for that.
Jim was 62 years old
when he passed. That is far too young.
There is no rhyme or
reason to Jim's death. I can't sit here and think of a
single "silver lining" to offer. My strongest memory of
Jim was that there was an incredible amount of life left in him
and far too many unfulfilled dreams.
Therefore I am not
only
filled with sadness, but a great deal of regret too at my missed
chance.
I wanted to spend time with Jim on that river cruise. I
wanted to get to know Jim better and meet the nine people who
were coming to celebrate their friendship.
It really hurts me
that Jim and Judy did so much to make this river cruise trip a
success only to see their own dreams be so horribly shattered.
Nine people. Think about it. NINE PEOPLE were taking
time out of their busy lives and flying 5,000 miles to France
specifically because they wanted to share this experience with
Jim and Judy.
And now it's all up
in smoke. I'm sorry, but the unfairness of it all is so
difficult for me to accept.
Another thing that
was unfair was the cruelty of the circumstances surrounding his
death. Some people die a death I can accept, but that is
certainly not the case in Jim's passing.
Approximately one
year ago, another friend of mine, Bill McDougal, died of a
sudden heart attack. Although Bill lingered for a couple
days, he never regained consciousness. Believe it or not,
Bill died on the dance floor. He had a heart attack right
in the middle of dancing a Polka with his wife, the modern day
equivalent of dying with his boots on.
Bill had the kind of
death that I can actually smile at.
What we all hope for
is a long life to the point where we are too tired and too achy
breaky to do much more than turn the TV on with the remote, then
one night die in our sleep. But we don't get to choose, do
we?
Jim McCue was a
noble man, but his death was exactly the kind of death none of us want.
Jim died the kind of death we all fear. Jim wanted to live.
He was full of ambition and dreams. Jim was prepared to
have fun with his wife and take visits to Michigan, visits to
California, a River Cruise in France, maybe a river cruise in
China the following year, watch his children enjoy their lives
and so on.
Jim did everything in his power to take steps to prolong his
life, but his life was still taken away from him.
Furthermore Jim died
what I call a "D-Day Death", the hardest death of all to face.
A D-Day death is the gut-wrenching fear in the boat on the long
trip to Omaha Beach that this could be it... and sure enough
this is it. The fear of a life threatening surgery is one
of the hardest fears of all to deal with. It preys on one's
mind, consumes one with anxiety every waking moment of the day.
None of us want to go through this.
I know that Jim had
to be a very brave man to face the very real possibility that
this terrible fate awaited him.
The message here is
to remember it could all be gone tomorrow for each of us.
At our age - Jim was 62, I am 64 - we all need to grab our
dreams NOW before it is too late.
Those days of
delayed gratification are over. If there's something I want
to do and I can afford it, I should do it. There are no
pockets in shrouds. Can't stick the money in a pyramid.
Well, Jim, one day
soon enough I promise to sit in a chair on the Rhone River and
order two glasses of wine. Then I am going to put my feet
up on the railing and say a
toast to you and salute you wherever you are. And then I
am going to throw that second glass of wine into the river in
your memory. I will have Marla take a picture to
commemorate the moment.
It is a simple
gesture, of course, but it has meaning for me. I am going to
keep you in my thoughts throughout the trip.
My greatest
regret is that your wonderful wife Judy will not be there. Not that she
would be in the mood to go, but I still wish I could have her
with us and I known her nine friends all feel the same way.
No one is ever happy
when a good man dies young.
However, I can at
least say this - Jim McCue had the finest reputation of any man
I know. He was a kind, decent man who was loved
by his wife Judy and his children very much. Jim was a
hard-working businessman who was successful in his career.
In the opinion of
everyone in my own circle, Jim was what we call a
"well-respected man". Every single person who knew Jim has
said the same thing - Jim was a really nice guy.
Therefore I believe
I have the right to say that Jim died with many people who loved
him and respected him.
I can also add that
I believe Jim McCue lived a
good life. In this sense, Jim has every right to rest
in peace.
Jim was a good man,
a high compliment indeed.
