NNFF Dedication - John Jackson Jr.

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John Jackson Jr.

May 20, 1946 - May 26, 2004

My father, John Jackson Jr., passed away on May 26, 2004 of NF. He was born in Portland, Maine on May 20, 1946. His death was unexpected and shocked his entire family. He was of good health, but complained of a pulled muscle in his leg on a Monday morning. He went to the doctor that afternoon and complained of severe pain in his leg as well as a high temperature. The doctor told him that he pulled a muscle. If I had known about the appointment with the doctor, I would have suggested the doctor look further for a diagnosis. My father had only been to the doctors a handful of times in his life. If he made an appointment, it was a serious problem. The next day my father woke up and in excruciating pain, he flew on an airplane to a state nearby. He worked in the morning and then stated he was too ill. He went to a hotel to sleep that afternoon. That evening, he flew home with his colleagues. His colleagues insisted that he go to the hospital. He declined and stated he wanted to go home. His friends had to help him take his shoes on and off at the airport security. When my father returned home, he then decided he needed to go to the hospital. (At this point, my family should have known that he was dying. My father would never voluntary go to the hospital unless he was dying). My 18 year old brother took him. The doctors did not know what was wrong. His blood pressure had plummeted, he was confused, and renal failure began. My father passed away the next morning at 8:30 AM. I was informed that he was in the hospital 45 minutes before he died. John Jackson, Jr. was a wonderful man and he will be forever missed. It is critically important that more emergency room doctors are informed of the symptoms of NF so that others will have the opportunity to live.

Laura Block-Stewart
LBlock66@aol.com
San Clemente, CA USA
August 2004

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