I am sure many are wondering what happened to Jimmy and I feel I need to make sure everyone knows the facts.
Several years ago Jimmy was working at a Guest Ranch in Colorado and injured two vertebrea by lifting a very heavy rock, he was in severe pain so the doctor put him on Oxycontin (this was before we had ever heard of that drug and how terrible and powerful it is). This injury was really bad. Later Jimmy would be told he needed a risky surgery but refused because of the chance something might go wrong. Jimmy needed the medicine for his pain and eventually his body just needed the drug. He tried several times to go off the drug but just couldn't, the withdrawal symptoms were so bad. Sometime not long ago (I'm not sure when but within the last year) a doctor put him on Methadone to help him get off the Oxycontin. This past October, out of the blue Jimmy came to Rexburg for a visit, he was really sick the whole time he was here (I thought he had the flu) but after he left Glenn said Jimmy told him he was going cold turkey off the Methadone. Jimmy felt this drug was as bad or worse than the Oxycontin. He had to go back to Seattle (being away from his son was hard) so he went back. Thanksgiving he came to Utah and came home with us again. He was still trying not to take the Methadone and still had terrible symptoms (couldn't sleep, terrible anxiety attacks and stomach problems) but seemed to get a little better. He wanted to go back to Seattle to have an early Christmas with Jayden and then come back to Rexburg. Something went terribly wrong, we would call to see when he was coming back and he just kept saying tomorrow. The last day, he didn't even sound like himself. Glenn tried to get a flight out on Saturday and couldn't, then they found him dead Sunday morning. We thought at first he had taken his own life but after the investigation they (the police) think (Cindi and Michael agree) his symptoms were still bothering him which made his depression worsen. He tried over the counter drugs but they did not help. He still had some Methadone which he took but after being off it for so long the dose was just too strong and his body had a violent reaction and he died in his sleep.
I believe that Jimmy never got a drug that he didn't have a legal prescription for. It really saddens me that doctors hand out powerful medicines just for the asking. We all feel we made some terrible mistakes, we should have encouraged Jimmy to work with a doctor and not go off the drug cold turkey, he should have never gone back to Seattle alone (he needed constant moral support to handle the withdrawal symptoms) and we should have gone immediately when we saw things starting to go wrong. We will forever wish we could go back and do thing differently. We do know Jimmy knew we loved him very much and we are so very grateful for the last few weeks we had with him.
9 comments:
It is so hard to know how a person is struggling or what they are going through without having some experience with the problem. I know that Jimmy had a great desire to get his life back on track, be there for his son and "feel normal again" as he expressed to my mom. He was just trying to succeed in these efforts when his life was cut short. I too know that he knew that his family loved him, especially his parents, and that they would do anything for him. Thanks for sharing his story mom. I hope that others will hear it and come to understand the dangers of prescription drugs!!
People don't understand the seriousness of these addictions - thanks for sharing mom.
Our family has created a blog in Jimmy's name to hopefully educate people on the dangers of prescription drugs. Spread the word:
http://ourbrotherjimmy.blogspot.com
Thank you for posting this story. I know it must have been very diificult. I only just met Jimmy a little more than a month ago, but I appreciated his warm nature and ready smile. I feel a small part of your loss and want you to know that your whole family is in my prayers. ---Cindi's Roomie
I am glad you shared this mom! I love you so very much!
Jimmy was an awesome person. He was in a bad place, as we have all been at some point in our lives but he truely wanted to be the best he could be. He did not intend for this to happen. Jimmy was following the directions of a doctor and for whatever reason the wrong day, hour, minute things effected him wrong. I know with all my heart he would not have purposely hurt his family. He had his resume ready and clothes packed to return home with his mother and father. His love for his son is proof enough that he wanted to get things taken care of. Everyone goes through hard times and everyone makes mistakes Jimmy was no different. He was one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. He knew to much if you ask me. Jimmy only wanted to succeed and he had every intention to do so. God just needed him more. He was the greatest person I have ever met. He is my best friend and he will be missed. Mom and dad you should be proud for raising one the most big hearted caring people i have ever had the priveledge of being close too. We need more people like him in this world. He was to good for this life. He will be missed forever. In death as in life he brought us closer together. NEVER FORGET!
So well said Michael - Jimmy was an awesome person and I cannot see where we will ever get past the pain of missing him. There will always be "should haves" but we can't dwell on them - we will make ourselves crazy - we have to hold on to the facts that there is a purpose in all things and that Jimmy really was too good for this life -
We need to focus on educating people in the dangers of prescription medications and the seriousness of dealing with these type addictions.
He will be missed forever & in death as in life he has truely brought us closer together. ~ Never Forget! I love you Jimmy - I love you all!
This life is only a second in the eternal time frame, before you know it we will all be with Jimmy again, and we will be glad that Jimmy was able to have relief from the suffering that he felt in this life from his bodies addiction. Jimmy truely had a huge heart and he knew what he wanted in life.. his family, he just didn't have control over what his body wanted and felt like it needed. Kristi is right, there are plenty of "what ifs" things we can beat ourselves up about. God saw his suffering and being the caring compassionate being that God is he took Jimmy when he felt Jimmy's body could not possibly fight it anymore. I know he is at peace right now and Jason is taking care of him. We will all be with them before you know it, now it is our part to be prepared (the best we can) for the time we meet them again.
I compeletly agree will jeremy. I know that this pain feels like it will never end, and it wont, it will always be there, but God knew that he couldnt handle it anymore and took him in his arms and told him it would be okay that there would be no more pain. I love jimmy so much and i will miss more than anyone will ever know, but I know that he his in no more pain and is finally happy again! I love you jimmy!
Post a Comment