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Main Boards => Prayers/Concerns/Honors/Ailments => Topic started by: Doc Nock on January 27, 2011, 06:12:00 PM
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Back last March I asked for prayers for my then just turned 88 yr old dad. He had a stroke 10 days after his birthday last year.
Dad started to go ok...but then quit progressing and ended up in a nursing home. The doc there told me that he doubted he'd decline quickly, but doubted he'd ever improve.
I've had to be vigilant with the nursing home as they, like many of them, are understaffed and administrative heavy... so sometimes, care issues I had to fight to get what was needed.
This past week, Dad tanked. Where before, he would occassionally drop a cup, he's now where all of a sudden, he can't hold anything, even the phone to speak to his lovely lady friend (mom died 6 yrs ago).
He sleeps constantly. Today the Doc told me he's going to try to pull as much of his meds as possible to see if it helps, but he is doubtful, but hopeful, DAd might rebound, but thinks his body is just shutting down and wore out!
Dad's blood sugar spiked to 480 over the weekend and now he's so weak...he can barely work his TV remote.
The next week will be telling...their last ditch tries either will rebound him for a bit or not.
Doc feels by mid week next week we may wish to speak to Dad to let him know it's 'end-of-life' time and bring in hospice to help keep him more comfortable. I've prepared to leave work early when that time comes so I can be there with Dad when the Doc does the hard work. :)
I know this is eminent...but now that it may just be around the corner... it's hard.
I won't even pray for anything but God's will. I gave Dad to God a long while back and refuse to take it back now because it is sad. I won't do that.
I will ask that whatever is God's will that He grant my father the peace that passes all understanding and allows Dad to feel that peace and acceptance. I ask that prayer of each of you as well.
There is no doubt that I will have that peace, but not without my fair measure of anguish...and tears. It is what must be... but I fear for my Dad in his current state of semi-confusion and anger that he can't do what he wants...
Thank you my prayer warrior friends. God bless.
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Praying hard Doc, for both of you. Like you said we know it's coming, doesnt make it easy, all we can do is our best and pray for his will. Hang on tight Doc.
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Praying for the best in these difficult times. we have just finished dealing with this with my wife's father.
Keep your chin up.
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Continue prayers for you and Dad.
Brother Dave
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Prayers sent for you bud as always. Stay strong bro we are here for you. Please contact me if there is anything I can do for you and your family. Big Ed
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Prayers sent for peace and comfort that only He can give. I am forever grateful for the words of encouragement you gave me through the toughest time in my life. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
James
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Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Our Lord has his own plan for us all, you have made the right choice to leave it up to him. I will pray with you for the Lords will with your father. God Bless.
Jim
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Lord, I'm praying along side Dave for his father. Even though I have never met him I consider him a friend and brother, I pray that you impart your will on him for you know what is best for us all, Amen.
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Doc. I know what your going through. I pray that Gods will be done and for strength and comfort for you and your pop. It never easy but you are not alone. We're here for you Doc!
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Amen. There's not a lot that I can say but I pray for God's very close presence for you and your dad.
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doc my heart goes out to you, my dad passed away one year ago today, our family was faced with the same decicions, it will be hard on your own, but kling to jesus and allow his will to be done. we never want to face the loss of someone we love so dearly. for me i was selfish in not wanting to let go, but my dad was dying of cancer, they could no longer help him. we probaly have no idea how much he was hurting, he was one of the toughest men i knew, he would fight a circular saw and give it 2 rounds head start. as i look back, i can now smile, and be happy knowing he has no pain, i will see him again, and GODS promise has been fullfilled. we love you doc, our prayers are with you, i lift you up in jesus name, to feel his love, peace, understanding, and direction in the decisions ahead. GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO WE!
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I have never quit praying for ya'll. I will continue to do so and also will pray God's will be done. Doc someday I too will have to let my Mom go and I don't look forward to that day. I hope I can show the strength that you have thru this whole thing. We as atill here for you Doc.......Dusty
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Thanks all! It means a lot to come here and read your words, one and all.
I don't know about 'strong' but I know that true love is to want for others, not for self.
When Dad's ready and God's calling, it will happen. Nothing we mere mortals can do to add or subtract a bit of it.
I'm the only "hell" my folks ever raised... so it all ends here. With the many physical issues that were bred into my genetic code, I made a tough call a long time ago to stop this gene pool (I used to tease the folks it was a cess-pool) right here!
No other family really. All Mom's people are gone as are Dad's. Cousins scattered to the winds on both sides and we've never been close.
Not really feeling that alone actually. I can say that I've tried to be there steady and true for Dad these past 10 months with daily visits while working and traveling 55 hrs/week.
I can hold out a while longer! :)Dad was always this quiet rock...didn't say much and endured a lot of guff from my Mom but never mouthed back.
:) I'd have done well to model him more but I was too much like my mother to let it slide all the time.
Dad will likely go as he lived and that is my prayer: Quietly and peacefully.
I pray the Lord will wrap him in such peace there will be no regrets and no fear...just the unshakable knowledge that Jesus waits for him on the other side.
Thanks folks... :) You are MY rock...along with Jesus.
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Doc,Prayers from here.
Have been in this same boat with my Dad.
If you feel the need to Talk please feel free to call.(253) 203-8722 its on 24/7. If I cant answer leave a message I will call you back..
Again prayers from here
Later....Buzz
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prayers sent and Gods peace to you......
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Prayers sent Doc. God's will shall bring him to his Kingdom, where he shall be at peace for eternity. May God Bless your Dad, you, and your family during this time. Stay strong brother.
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Doc. My prayers are with you and for your dad. All things that one loves is always the hardest to have to let go of. Stay strong my friend.
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I will be honored to pray for your Dad.
Charles.
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Nurses tell me he's weakining daily. Before it all hits the fan, I got out for a last day of deer here in PA in special reg areas.
I'd not been hunting any other seasons since Fall archery ended mid nov. Just too covered-up with "stuff."
We found 8"++ of snow down where we went. it was tough walking anywhere...but so very beautiful as this last snow hung on everything and it was a winter wonderland.
We pushed too hard... and by mid afternoon, I was in near tears with my legs/knee hurting, but I'd not trade that time out for anything! I needed to be with God's nature for a break.
I called to check on Dad. He is much weaker...he couldn't sit up & hold his head up.
Trying to pay all his bills today before my POA expires when he does. :(
Thanks for the continued prayers and support. I can feel this sense of calm, surely from your prayers and God's love... I know I'm ok with Dad's passing and very resigned to that.
The thought of him actually being "GONE" is what brings tears quickly. Since 3/26/10 I've been visiting him daily...that alone will leave a huge "hole".
Pop being the last of family and none of my own...well...that kinda sucks. :( But I know it opens opportunities that have been delayed for the 20 yrs as I stayed local to watch over and help care for both parents as they aged.
I just continue to pray for a peaceful passing for dad without fear or anxiety. Those of us left behind, God will care for in His way, but it's Dad's actual passing that I pray for peace for him!
Lord in your Mercy...
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Continued prayers brother....
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Tomorrow I meet the Doc at 3:00 to tell Dad that this is it and he's not going to make it.
I'm NOT sure Dad has a clue... he sleeps constantly, doesn't question what's up... and can barely talk...but things he does say...it's like he's expecting it all to be "better soon." I hope I'm wrong, but I have memories of how hard it hit him when he learned in August he wasn't going to get better enough to go back to his apartment.
My prayers are renewed that the Lord be with him tomorrow when the Doc gives him the "news". This feels like it's going to be harder than burying him will be in the end. :(
Lord in your Mercy, Be with Tite tomorrow.
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Praying for mercy, peace, comfort and strength for you and your Dad, from the Father. Hard times, but not the end.
God Bless,
Nathan
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DAd took the news from the Doctor about being in "end times" like a typical German Lancaster County Dutchmen! There was a point where tears welled up and his lip trembled, but he fought it down and even the doctor didn't see it. I saw the doctor struggling to find a positive set of words to share "end of life" concepts.
We signed Dad up for Hospice last night to come in to tend to some of Dad's needs the over-worked nursing staff at the nursing home cannot.
I'm battling to get as many things done as possible before the end, but truth is dad could linger like this for a good while, or not.
Someone's signature/tag line here said something about life is like an hour glass glued to the table..line from a song I think. Sure hits the nail square when you watch a loved-one start to slip from this earth to His kingdom.
Thanks for the continued prayers. God is good and I'm trusting Him to fill Dad with the Holy Spirit and ease his concerns and regrets in passing from this life to the next everlasting one.
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Doc, my prayers and sympathy goes out to you and for your dad. When the day comes, he will be forever at peace.
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I pray that our Lord brings you and your dad peace. It's never easy to say good bye. I didn't get to in time. That I regret. Just take heart that dad will be in Gods arms and will be renewed. God Bless you Doc!
Keeping the Faith!
Matt
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Amen David and more.
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Prayers continue for you and Dad to be strong and the LORD do his will and no one can stop it nor understand it,all one can do is just accept it.
Dave
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Thanks, All.
Matt, when we stand before Christ, we're all made perfect. Have no regrets for what was left unsaid to those gone ahead. The minute they are with Christ, they become all knowing in that 'perfection' and know all that you would've said if you could've. Regrets have no place but to feed the devil's grief.
I don't have a problem with Dad leaving this life... it's that he'll be GONE that will leave a hole. :) As it should be...as it should be.
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David,
I pray that you can be there to share that last farewell with Pop...It is one of the most painful things we go through in this life but also an exciting moment watching a True believer take that step in to our eternal Home.. I pray you get to hold Him tight and feel that same feeling I felt when my Mom stepped across the line and I witnessed first hand the tears of happiness and joy of Jesus taking her hand and leading her across the finish line...Something surely happened to my Mom cause tears ran down her face when she took her last breath of life here on earth and I just kept telling Mom to keep going don't turn back..It's O.k. Your job is done here and a feeling I never felt before just let me take a deep Breath and I thought to myself You are Home and I'll see you later Mom...My heart is with you Brother Doc...God Bless you and Pop! Keefer's <><
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When it is our time to meet Jesus, you are correct Doc, that we are perfect. Regradlass of the ohsical world, when we reach the spiritual kingdom of God in Heaven, we are indeed, perfect. The void will be forever unfilled, but the memories created and shared shall forever live within you. I just Baptized my daughter yesterday, and although it was a joyous day, there were still moments of deep sadness because so many were not here to celebrate her union with Christ. I know they were smiling down from Heaven, and we embraced their legacies and remembered them during the Prayer of the Faithful, my eyes welled up at times.
Prayers continue for you and your family. May God Bless your Dad.
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Prayers from Indiana. Doc I can't even begin to tell you what you and your kind words have meant to me during this winter of turmoil, but like gold I will emerge from the furnace purer for the experience. Your dad will be "casting crowns" to the throne when he passes into eternal life with Jesus. Yes, there is eternal life and questions that we have to account for but our sin isn't one of those, it was paid at the cross!!! Love ya Doc and you do have family, may not be blood but you are my brother in Christ and in the bow!!
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Prayers sent for Doc's father and his family. I feel for you and yours I lost my Dad after along down hill year. God Bless Don
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Thank you one and all!!!
Today, I snuck into see Dad mid-day before the others (only 2 or so) made their way.
Amazing thing: a family was in there I didn't know. They were there to visit another resident and there are 2 pretty young girls in the family. One peeked in and Dad was actually awake and invited them in. They came in, saw the pics I drug up and put around his room. One of Mom and one of dad in full uniform.
This incredible young couple thanked dad for his service in WWII, and stayed to visit. Total strangers!
I came in as they were to leave and got to visit briefly. Amazing how God works to fill an old man's time and vision! Bless them.
Then Dad and I had a chance to talk. I asked him how he was taking the doctor's news about being "end times". He said it doesn't bother him much. Dad is a quiet and private man, so I dind't press as I'd have liked, but chose to respect his privacy.
I told him how I'd miss him, but didn't want him to linger in a state where all that he cherished in being an insatiable reader, loving to visit with people, were all taken from him and that when it was time for him to go, he should do so without a worry about me as God would see me through.
He just looked at me.
:)
I know I will make it. I also know it will suck out loud in stereo, but with God, all things are possible.
Saw a movie with James Garner: NoteBook. Amazing bit of cinema. To know such love here on earth!
If you've not seen it, watch it with your family while you've got them. Pre-screen it as it has some earthy aspects, but the message of love is powerul indeed!
thank you for being a family I no longer have. :)
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Doc we're the family you will always have. God's best to you and you're dad
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Doc,like you said it is Gods will and he will be in a better place for sure,a sad time,and a happy time to know it will be so-peace for your father and yourself.I too thank him for his service to god and country.And praise you for being there everyday,peace brother!
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Doc,
You are a part of this family...Tell Pop you Love him and thank him for me for his service also...Sounds like Pop is packed and ready for his flight so to speak Doc...I never got to meet Pop nor you as of yet Doc but one day we will ...I'm praying for you daily and you are on my mind ...God Bless you Brother .... Keefer's <><
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Continue prayers Brother Dave for the both of you.
In HIS serivce
Dave
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prayers sent Doc God Bless
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Doc, As I was reading your last post I am reminded of the last days of my Father-N-Law who was more of a Daddy to me then my own. He didn't want anything from us except to be left to live his life his way. He did that to the end and when it was time he laid over in the bed and went home. My wife got to be there with him to the end and she was able to heal more quickly because of it. Doc, I pray daily for you, more so to know comfort then understanding. You understand this is the cycle of life and that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I pray for you and Pop everyday for your needs to be meet. Pop is blessed to have a son like you. There are so many that don't. God bless you Doc.......Dusty