Update

My days are running together. I won't go over every detail about what has taken place since my last post. I just wanted to update you all on where we are now. Mom has gone from being somewhat alert but just not that responsive in conversation to not being alert or responsive at all. She no longer eats or drinks, and her pain medicine is given through an IV as she has not been able to swallow a pill for over a week now. Her breathing varies and, at times, she has long pauses in between a series of breaths. That type of breathing may continue for hours and then it changes back to a somewhat normal rhythm. Her blood pressure is extremely low. It is so low that we cannot really get a reading on it. She moans from time to time as if she is in pain. Her temperature spikes on occasion, and we use ice packs to bring it back down. On Sunday, we thought that she might pass within 24 hours, but Mom is still with us. I pray that what we see as suffering is not how she feels. The family is with her everyday. I don't know what I would do without them, especially my aunt. Everyone has been so good to us. I always knew that my Mom was a special lady; I am just realizing that so many others think so, too. Love you all. God Bless!

Take My Hand, Precious Lord

At the end of last week, we called in hospice. They have been a blessing and big help to us. These ladies that work at Evergreen Hospice are amazing; they are truly called to do what they do. Mom has really declined since Friday. She is nonresponsive most of the time and is now confined to the bed. We decided to bring in a hospital bed. I don't know how we would make it without it. Mom doesn't seem to be in much pain now, and we pray that continues to be the case. She only eats a little bit every day, and the only thing that seems to work is yogurt, something congealed, or some boost with ice cream. I am just thankful she is eating anything at all. She is starting to have a difficult time swallowing, which makes it difficult to administer medicines and food. With the help of hospice, though, we should be able to find solutions to any problems that may arise.

The family is taking it day by day, trying our best to hold it together and do what we need to do to be there for Mom. We don't know what we would do without our friends and family. We appreciate everything everyone has done so much, even if it simply is a message of love and prayer. We cannot begin to describe how much it means to us. We pray, and we ask that you pray that Mom not suffer any more. We feel that Mom will pass within a couple of weeks. We have been told that she is at a point where she could pass at any time. As much as I want my Mom to live, she isn't really living at this point. Watching her die right before my eyes from a cruel and horrible disease is almost more than I can bare. Thank God, it is not more than He can bare. I cry out to Jesus, and I feel Him right beside me. I know that God is merciful, and I pray that he bestows his mercy upon the most gracious lady I have ever known.