Prayers for Pop

[Hooked]

prayers up for you and Pop!

[motormouth]

talked ot my own pop today, Doc. told him bout your pop. he's prayin to. his own dad is gettin on in years. and seein him in fall being so skinny and hunched really messed with him. him and i talked about B'more and all and he still keeps you in his prayers. and thanks Charlie, its good to be back javascript:void(0)

[Stone Knife]

Praise to our living Savior for all he provides and for all the days he has given us already.

[Doc Nock]

Thanks, folks.  

Nursing homes are so vital today with a bulding aging population, but they put sooo much $$$ into their fascades...and so little on staffing.

I was in for Easter Dinner w/ pop.  It's quite an ordeal. They dope him up to roll him around (amdist a lot of pain) and put a sling under him, then hoist him with this contraption and plop him in a big ole wheelchair...then wheel him to a feeding hall where young people feed a host of folks who can't feed themselves.

Dad gets gruel, called "pureed" food. He was in a lot of back pain thru the ordeal to get him in the chair... All he has to do is swallow the gruel, but it tires him out something awful.

We went out to the glass area to look outside... and then he said he wanted to get back in bed.

That was a painful thing to watch... as he cried out a lot, but then settled down and was pretty soon asleep.

But I try to go every day... can't when I'm not in town... and I no longer can call and talk to him as he just looses track of a conversation and can't form words well.

Only God knows why Dad continues to fight on.  I appreciate prayers for him ---and for me.  

Thank you one and all. If you've got folks who are aging, INVEST time with them when it can do you both good building memories.  At this state, as the Hospice Chaplain put it to me, "It's a ministry of presence".  Dad knows I'm there, but there is little interaction...

[ARCHER2]

Doc,
I know it's got to be really hard on you and your dad for sure. Rest assured we are praying for you and your's and when all is said and done, our Father in heaven will say: Well done,Son.
            God Bless You,
                Charlie

[Doc Nock]

Folks,

Perhaps an extra measure of prayer for my Dad this weekend.  He is retaining fluid on his lungs...rattling like crazy and it came on fast... they're giving him more fluid pills, but tonite, he cannot eat or drink to take pills...he's struggling but won't talk or do more than follow us with his eyes.  He has, among a myriad of other ailments, CHF, or congestive heart failure coming on.

I sat with him for 2 hrs this evening... watching him struggle... he's now running a low grade (100*) fever.

Hospice said it can be the "beginning of the ending" or just something of the overall decline.

I'd ask that if it's his time, the Lord bring him peace and ease any fears and take him quietly and without undo suffering.  Mom went in a flash after learning of inoperable cancer, but Dad has lingered for a year in this sorry state with increasing decline. I fear he will struggle thru a bitter ending of pain and suffering unless Jesus takes him by the hand and leads him "home."

Thank you for prayers for my Dad.

[4dogs]

   

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Doc,

I pray the Lord Knows what is best whether we see it or not.

aside of what we see in corporate America, there are things we are not told or shown for our own good.

Perhaps this is not the best comparison but its one I know you can relate to. What I am getting at is no matter what the suffering we see and the times we feel we should be angry, we need to remember, we do not know everything.

Everything happens for a reason!!!!

I pray for pop and for you to have the strength to get through whats in store and be at peace with life and death.  as someone mentioned earlier, this is the circle our creator has developed.

It is both beautiful and miserable at the same time.  Cry if you need to, talk if you want to and dont regret anything.

your friend

Charlie

[Winterhawk1960]

Praying each and every night for your Pop. May the good Lord above lay his comforting hands upon him........and lead him home peacefully.

Thy will be done.........            

Winterhawk1960

[bear1336]

Praying for peace and comfront for both you and your dad.
In HIS service
Brother Dave...

[Doc Nock]

Thanks, Guys.  No calls last night so that is a good thing.

I don't fear Dad's passing. I'm as ready as I can be, but it will still hurt of course and there will sure enough be tears!  It's as Charlie said, the "circle of life".  At my age, I'm next in the hopper.

Being Dad isn't communicating and can't /doesn't talk much... and of this last decline, not respoinding but with eyes, there is so much I wish I knew of his thoughts, fears or concerns that I could speak to... but whatever angst Dad lives with NOW, will be erased when he stands before Jesus and is made perfect and all-knowing.

That is my only comfort that whatever emotional suffering he's enduring locked away inside his failing body will be set right when he passes over to "home."

Still sucks to be there watching it.  I will not hover about his bed unable to do or interact. Whatever is to be will be and he's getting at least basic needs met.  I think Hospice will step up their involvement now next week.  I will continue my regular visitation daily so that he doesn't discern some "change" and add to any panic he might feel.  When time draws close, then I will be there more to ease his transition.

Pop might yet again "rally" and the dieuretic (?) pull off the fluid, but they warned me that it is a diminishing return as they increase doseage near the end.

My concerns are not for myself, only for his peace during this time where he cannot communicate. I pray God will whisper in my ear what is appropriate for ME to share with Dad to make this time easier on him...

Not to ausage my own needs, but to minister to Dads.

Lord in your Mercy...

[Nosight]

Doc, prayers for you and Dad.

You have it right "The whisspering  words of the Lord"

Just remember we are all here for both of you ...

[Killdeer]

Funny how flashes of insight can happen, even with limited methods of communication. Just having you there, warm and breathing, must be a comfort. Reminiscences or accounts of the day's events or discoveries add to your dad's life learning and bonding with you. We learn or help someone every day, which is the only reason I can fathom for being here. Bless you for being such a good son, and you are blessed with the learning that you are (albeit painfully) attaining through this process. You are maturing into a human that will put a joyful sparkle into the eye of our Creator.
I cannot think of a better goal.

Killdeer

[Keefer]

Doc,
 Have ya told your Dad Thank You for your Life and being a Dad that has raised a fine caring Man...You are a good son to be right there by "Pop" as he heads Home and if you have time sitting with him and I'm sure you already may have done this by now but talk to him about those special days you and he might have had in your life..Even if there was a bad moment when he might of scolded you let him know you appreciate all the moments he has instilled in your life and you will cherrish them all...Let him also know you have come to peace with God and to go Home till you and Pops meet again..As a brother Dave I lend my shoulders to you and I lift you up for comfort as you see Pop prepare for his Homecoming...When you sit next to Pop we are all sitting next to you and remember we may not be right beside you but we want to help carry you while you feel alone...Thank you for giving us an update when you do and I have come to get a lift in life from you and your messages I pray you feel the same with us...God Bless you and keep you and you are in my prayers...Your friend Keefers <><

[Doc Nock]

Killy & Keefer,

I've not done the parting review stuff with Dad yet... My gut tells me that would freak him out.

I talked to him a few weeks back when he asked about this or that happening and that it was his poor tired body just wearing down...something the Doctor and I told him over a year ago... and again, he teared up.

Dad's not ready yet to consider checking out. I can tell... today when I was in, he was "better" in that the rattles were much subdued.

That was 3:45...by 4:15, his breathing sounded like a bag of marbles.

In between, I was doing some personal things like removing the hot full length support stockings and booties they have on him for heel sores... gently.  I told him his lungs were having fluid on them...he wanted to know how I knew...I explained the rattles... and how he occassionally coughs up stuff to clear it.. and eventually he said he could hear it...

I told him not to be afraid... as it was a natural part of the aging process and his long term heart issues...and how proud I was of how long he's managed to fight thru and remain on top of these things...

Then he told me he was tired...so I turned off his TV at his request and let him rest before they brought his evening meal.

I will prayerfully KNOW when the time is right to have talks about things...I just sense that the time is not there yet... for his best interest.  He's always been very, very private about those levels of emotions, but when he can, he does respond back when I tell him how much I love him before I leave.  

We know.  Always been a lot of "non-verbal" communication between us. Good thing. Hasn't been much verbal for a good while for him.

I will keep your words close to heart... nice image of you all being there thru prayer with me and Dad... I like that.  

Thank you all.  I'll try to do more "history review" with him starting tomorrow...

Thank you all!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

David,

You have been a GREAT Son. Most families are not as blessed to have children like you.  

Keep up the good lords work!  

[Keefer]

Pop,
 You raised a great son and he loves you much...My thoughts and prayers are with you Doc and thanks for letting us be prayer warriors for POP...We will miss him on our prayer chain Doc..God Bless you...
                    Keefers <><

[motormouth]

Doc,
I teared up reading some of the last posts. ok, i lost it. but i feel like when you go and spend time with your pop, our prayers go too, and wrap him up for a while. however, when you leave, and tell him you love him, our prayers stay, giving him the strength to get by until he gets to see you again. and trust me, i know that is the highlight of his day is seeing you. you're all hes got and you coming to see him, visit with him or just simply sit with him makes his day, i know this in my heart.

Doc, i'm only a phone call away, talked to Killy the other day, has a great conversation. miss hearin from my B'more buddies. just know that the father is always there to listen and give ya someone to lean on, as am i.

be well, big brother, and we'll get thru this.

"Keep the son in your eyes"  

-MM

[AWPForester]

Will do bro.  Proverbs 3:5