Jim and Dorothy's Story

Jim and Dorothy Taken at the Escort Carrier Sailors and Airmen Association, August- September,1998. Seattle, Washington.

18th November;1999 This message was originally sent to James Murphy who has done the page on naval veterans. Your Asbestos exposure USS Laffey DD724 came through the internet and I would like to know if we can get some assistance from you. My husband served on the USS Sangamon a former oil tanker that was converted to a carrier. The year of his service was 1943 through 1946 and he was immediately assigned to the boiler room of that ship. Toward the end of the war he was transferred to the carrier USS Midway. On September 12 thru 16 we attended the ECSAA(Escort Carrier Sailors and Airmen Association in Las Vegas. Upon our return home my husband began to experience coughing that made him struggle to breathe in the night. The following week his doctor decided to have chest X-rays taken and that was when fluid was discovered present in the left lung. Today, 3 1/2 pints of fluid have been taken out of that lung so that my husband can breathe. When the cat scan and ultra sound were done it became clear to the doctors that my husband Jim had MESOTHELIOMA caused from Asbestos. The pulmonary doctor advised us to contact a lawyer who deals with asbestos cases. Military friends told us to fill out forms 21-4138, application for veterans compensation for disability incurred unknowingly from the asbestos material from the boiler room where he was assigned throughout the war in the Pacific. His ship was one of those who supported General MacArthur in the Landing at Leyte in the Philippines. Should my husband lose his life due to this malady, I will be left alone minus his company pension and will have to live on his social security alone. Our home is not paid for and like many others, we have bills to pay. Do you recommend that we get hold of a good lawyer outside of our state who deals with these type of cases? One problem with this of course is having to pay them to fly back and forth in consultation with their clients-my husband and me. We can't afford this route. Any suggestions that can help us will be much appreciated at this time. My husband and I have been married for almost 45 years and if there is any hope of his recovery we would like to celebrate our Golden Wedding anniversary in five more years. We shall be grateful to you for any help you can extend to us as soon as possible. Yours sincerely, Jim & Dorothy.

James. E Dowlen Taken in San Diego, 1943.

3rd December; 1999. Dear Mr & Mrs Murphy, The verdict on my Jim's case is finally settled. We were at the doctors office this morning for evaluation and after a lot of questions and answers, the doctor finally told us that there is no doubt that the culprit is "Mesothelioma." By the way the doctor did say that because of the advanced nature of this disease, the only thing he could offer Jim is the chemotherapy that will begin after Christmas. If this should work, it will only prolong Jims life for a while, but it will not permanently cure him. The two types of drugs that the doctor will use on Jim are Navelbine(Vinorelbine) and Gemzar(Gemcitabine). I believe these are the more current medicines for chemotherapy. You may or may not have heard of them but if you have, please let us know if thisis the right treatment that is being used. Meanwhile, we plan to spend a good Christmas celebration among our immediate family for Jim. Our grandson Mark and his wife are arriving from Michigan next week and our oldest daughter Jean and her husband Art will be arriving on the 15th of this month. The whole family loves Jim for all the good times we all had together. Until next time, do give our best to your lovely wife and son. Sincerely, Jim & Dorothy

21st May; 2000 Hi deidre, Now that I know you are putting together important information on "Mesothelioma" brought on by the culprit asbestos, you might like to add ours along with many others. In time you will have enough to put together in that book I mentioned to you which you already had in mind to do anyway. As I mentioned to you previously, my husband James and I have been married for forty-four years. During our marriage he had his gall-bladder removed and a major operation on the removal of an infected mesh that was implanted in his stomach muscles after the gall bladder was taken out. Why? Because the doctor made a large smiling scar from one side of his lower abdomen to the other side just to remove the gall bladder. This was almost ten years ago with no after effects except the numbness he had on his outer stomach where he was cut. In early September of last year, Jim began coughing and experience weakness throughout his body. The doctor disgnosed this as flu like symptoms and medication was given to him. Then we attended the Escort Carrier Sailors and Airmens Organization at a reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada for three days. It was there that he started to cough even more so that we returned home, we went to see the same doctor who again diagnosed the case as being signs of the flu. The condition became worse and after a week, the doctor decided to have X-Rays taken of the chest. To our horror, the left lung was barely visible because it was clouded with some type of fluid. A CATSCAN followed and the same thing appeared. It was then a pulmonary lung specialist had to be consulted and for five weeks in a row; going once a week, that doctor removed at least 2 1/2 pints of fluid out of the left lung in order for my husband to be able to breath properly. After the fifth week, we were sent to an Oncologist who told us Jim had two choices to make. To try chemo treatment or let the disease take over, and he was given six months to live either way. The sixth month by the way is up in June which is next month. We are still praying for a miracle and many of our friends are doing the same thing for us. The chemo and its side effects prove to be more devastating to Jims health and in three months time he lost a total of 50 pounds. To date, he continues with the chemo treatment but he is getting weaker and weaker because he has no appetite whatsoever. In fact he depends on a drink called "Ensure Plus" three times a day and twice a day on another drink called "Boost." Once in a while he can eat bacon and eggs with a piece of toast for breakfast but not always. In the meantime, my poor husband gets incontinent and wets the bed or sometimes have no control of his bowels. This makes it very difficult for both of us as he prides himself with being a very clean man, and feels bad when things like this happen. Lately he has been coughing up a storm in the middle of the night and has difficulty sleeping even with the sleeping pill I give him every night. Likewise, he has fallen face down twice when he tried to go to the bathroom by himself at night. I will continue to inform you on what is happening to my husbands health problems so that you can document. Lets hope you will benefit from it as well as benefit other wives who may be able to read your research. We are the care givers who make so many sacrifices to help our husbands and information such as this can help many of us who are going through the ordeal. Have a good weekend and send me your address so that I can mail you other information from the United States on the subject of "Mesothelioma." From your new friend who cares about you Dorothy & Jim

30th June; 2000 Greetings from Sunny California Deidre, I hope you will accept my humble apology for not having sent you any Email in a long time. My poor Jim's health condition was going down hill with the chemo treatment I was having a difficult time as a care giver in our home. He became very weak that he could hardly walk and he began falling in the bathroom in the middle of the night causing terrible bruises in his arms and head. In the last three weeks he has been staying at the Veterans Hospital Hospice Care Unit in Palo Alto, California near Stanford University. It is about 30 to 35 miles each way under very heavy traffic for me to travel on. My family is so over protective of me they take turns taking me there and picking me up when I decide to come home. Jim is no longer on chemo and this is the only way they would accept him in to the VA facility. The hospital is first class because it is a new building just finished, and Jim has a private room of his own. Since his condition is service connected while in the U.S. Navy we will not have to pay a cent for his care and keeping till he would pass away. Fortunately they encourage families including children and pets to come and visit; even to stay overnight in a special family room that has beds, bedding, a TV, refrigerator, coffee, a shower and bath. Then there is a cafeteria on the first floor where hot meals can be purchased. Most of the time I am there day and night when I open up my roll away bed and put it back together the next day. I only come home for a day or two during the week so that I can catch up with my Email, bills, and important papers that have to be taken care of. Now that you know a little of my schedule I do hope you will not give up on me. Meanwhile, you might like to know that my book is being published so that anyone can put in an order through the Amazon.com website under the title of."Memoir of a Woman Medical Aide in the Philippines in World War II," by Dorothy Dore Dowlen-that's me! This is about my teenage experience while growing up in that country and being a prisoner of war then, escaping to the jungles where wild natives picked us off like we were wild animals being attacked without remorse on their part. There is a lot of history in this book along with many hair raising incidents, and it becomes a challenage and inspiration for anyone who dares to live and survive in this turbulent world as I have. It is my hope that you, your family and friends will take an interest in this book and order a copy. I must catch up with other Email and mail that I am sending out to many of my friends throughout America and the world so that they too might know of my book. Till next time, be good to yourselves and do take care. Someday perhaps we shall have an opportunity to meet in your country or in the United States in the event you will have that chance to visit. Our home will always be open to you in case you will be in the West coast. Just keep sending your Email and I shall answer them as quickly as time provides. Sincerely, Dorothy & Jim

10th August; 2000 Hello Deidre, I'm home today only because I have been suffering from a terrible toothache while staying at the VA hospital in Palo Alto with my dear husband Jim. I expect to return sometime tomorrow. My Jim is going down hill and he can go any time, any day now. He and I have been at the VA hospital hospice since June 12th and by this Saturday we will be there for two months. Many times I feel very exhausted from it all but I know I have to hang in there for his sake. I don't want him to feel that I have abandoned him in his last days. Please keep in touch as you have been an encouragement to me while I am still facing the agony of losing my beloved husband. God bless, Dorothy

16th AUGUST; 2000 Dear Deidre, In order to make sure you get this message I have picked up on an old message you sent me so that this will go through without a hitch. Just want you to know that my beloved husband Jim of 44 years passed away yesterday 8/14/00 at 1:15 a.m. in the morning. We will have a church service for him on Friday night and Saturday morning 8/19/00 followed by a full military honor burial at the local cemetery. There will be 200 or more people who will be attending so that we are having a luncheon served after the burial is over. It has been a very long and strenuous time for me but it was worth it all because I was married to a prince of a man. He was most deserving and I shall miss him a lot. Must close as I am so very tired and worn out. Till next time, love & God bless, Dorothy & family

Funeral Notice San Jose Mercury News August 16th, 2000

DOWLEN, James Edward - entered into rest Auqust 14. 2000 In Palo Alto, CA. Beloved husband of over 44 years to Dorothy May Dowlen, adoring father of Jean Louise Woodall and Sarah L. Luna, Adoring Grandfather of Mark Woodall of Howell, Michigan, Kelly Woodall of San Jose. Brien Woodall of Dickson. TN. Jason, Scott and Jaimie McCurry and Michelle Cole all of Santa Clara. and Michael Brito. Alexandra and Vanessa Luna and of San Jose. Great-grandfather of Jonathan, Mykaella. Jordan Cole, Nicole Ann McCurry. Julia, Sabrina and Taylor Woodall and Kirstin Porter. A technician with Pacific Bell for 37 years, and a WWII Naval Veteran in the Pacific. Also a resident of the Santa Clara Valley for over 50 years. James was a devoted member of the Escort Carrier Sailors & Airmen Assoc.. V.F.W. post #3982, Santa Clara. Telephone Pioneers of America and the Republican Party. A native of Ukiah. California. Aged 75 years. Friends are invited to attend a visitation at the CHAPEL OF FLOWERS, 900 S. Second St.,San Jose on Friday from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the First Church of The Naza-rene, 4801 Alum Rock Ave,, San Jose. Burial with honors will follow at the Oak Hill Memorial Park. San Jose.

Dear Dorothy and family, my thoughts are with you and your family at this very sad time. I thank you for sharing your's and Jim's story with us. Forgotten?-Never Friends may think we have forgotten, when at time they see us smile. Little do they know the heartaches, That our smile hides all the while. Beautiful memories are wonderful things, that last till the longest day. They never wear out, they never get lost and can never be given away, .To some you may be forgotten, to others part of the past, But to those who loved and lost you Your memory will always last. ............ Author unknown.

2nd September, 2000 Dear Deidre, I'm sorry I did not get a chance to inform you that my beloved Jim passed away on August 14, 2000 at 1:15 in the morning. He was surrounded by the whole family, our children, grandkids, great-grands and me. They all took turns thanking him for all he had done for them and tears kept spilling out from his eyes. Then I told him how much I loved him and that it was alright to let go. I told him that God was right beside him and he only need to reach out and take God by the hand so that they can walk together the rest of the way. Two big tears welled up in both his eyes and they dropped to the side of his face and he was gone. He no longer has to suffer so much pain thank God. The viewing of his body was held on the following Friday at the Chapel of Flowers followed by a service conducted by one of the clergymen. Then the funeral service was held at the First Church of the Nazarene. Between both services we had close to 400 hundred people who came. Many of them said that this was one of the most beautiful services they have ever attended. At the gravesite, three young sailors dressed in full white uniform gave the military honor then, the American flag was folded by them and handed over to me. This is what I wanted to see happen because my Jim deserved to be honored. It was a moment to be remembered. Since the death of my Jim it has been lonely but my family have been taking turns coming to stay with me. Likewise, I have been busy sending off thank you cards in response to the many Sympathy cards I received from friends. I've had a full day today so I must close hoping I would be hearing from you again. Take care and keep in touch again. Blessings to you all, Dorothy & Family

5th October; 2000 So glad that you received my mail with Jim's photo. Yes indeed he was a wonderful man. As I have been responding to all of the sympathy cards sent to me, I also respond by telling each one about my Jim. It goes like this: "This is a man sent from God to fulfil his role as a man, a faithful husband of forty-four years, a loving Dad to three daughters, a caring grandpa to ten grandkids, and a wonderful great-grand Dad to nine children. And he succeeded because he knew in his heart that his whole family loved him very much. Most of all he knew that his faithful and caring wife loved him with all her heart. That's me! I do miss him a lot especially when I am home alone. We always did together like laughing, working, going to church, gardening, and many others things. I guess you would call it being compatible in most of our thoughts and actions. Well my dear, I must close for now as I have over a dozen Email I must read and respond to. Till next time, don't worry....Be happy! Your good friend across the world. Dorothy

8th October; 2000 Good morning Deidre, The computer that my grandson Michael gave me is working so much better than my old one. Now I can view animated greeting cards and websites like yours. The only thing I'm hoping is that dear friends like you will continue to be patient with me in my picking up computer no how faster than I should. Why? Because I start out slow but once I pick it up.....look out! Because of my eagerness to learn at my age, even I sometimes wonder how I manage to learn new things that others like me would give up so easily. Thank goodness my whole life has always been faced with challenges and I seem to push on slow but sure. You said you would send me more current pictures of you and the family. I would like that very much. I'm also waiting for the print out you made regarding my book because here is something that you can add on. The publishing company gave me their direct line here in the U.S. where friends and families of theirs, living outside of the country can have them order my book. This is a free call and it is 1-800-253-2187 McFarland Publishing Company. I certainly appreciate what you are doing to get this on your internet system in NZ because then, it will reach the women in particular in that part of the world. They need to know that there is something about us that doesn't give up so easy when the going gets rough. Must close for now because with my Jim gone, I have to carry the load of two people in running my household, the grounds, and taking care of the paperwork, answering the telephone, etc., etc., etc..... When my beloved Jim was alive we did the chores together with each taking half of the work. This is what made our relationship very special as we did things as a team and we enjoyed doing them together. Have a good day and don't work too hard either. God bless, Dorothy

Do You Know What Hope Is Stories Back to Jack On To Martha Naval Veterans