My Third Hero

This is my father in-law, Paul Loy. I have three heros in my life. Jesus, my dad and Paul. In the 23 years that I have known Paul, I don't think there has ever been a time when I would have traded him for any other father in-law. He is far and away the most faithful, the most generous, the most understanding person I have ever met. He has the will of a lion and the patience of Job.

Paul got the news that he had lymphomic cancer when he was 43. They think he got it from his job with the railroad working in the diesel fuel pits. Over the years he's been through so much chemotherapy that it messed up his kidneys. He has been on dialysis (at home) for the last year and a half or so. About three months ago he started having troubles with it and went into the hospital. Things didn't improve and it also caused him not to be able to eat anything without throwing it back up. The doctor's tried everything they knew to fix it, but were baffled. Finally, my father in-law told them he wanted them to let him go. So they have decided to acquiesce to his wishes. He was transferred back to his nursing home on Tuesday (where his wife is also) and we were told that he has about a week or so to live. His first few days were good ones, however my wife said that today was a bad day. It is apparent that his body is starting to shut down. My father in-law is a Christ-follower and looks forward to being with Jesus. But, obviously, that doesn't make it any easier on his wife, my wife, her sisters, or any of the rest of us.
With my dad also battling cancer, these last few months have been really hard on our family. But, it has also brought us closer than we have been in a very long time! I love my father in-law Paul and it will be nearly impossible for any other person to fill the shoes of my third hero.