The past few months at school have shown how downhill things are going in my school. Today was barely atypical.
One room where I work shares a door with a kindergarten class. All year long we have heard, through that door, a student regularly screaming and crying. The teacher's hands are tied, as are the aides'. The principal tends to be hands-off, when it comes to discipline, usually sending the social worker instead. There is only so much the social worker can do, as he still is under the direction of the principal. So, problems grow because the principal does not give consequences. He prefers trying behavior plans to try to "bribe" the student into doing what he needs to do. Teachers will tell you that it doesn't work with most of our toughest cases.
Today a kindergartener went on a rampage in his classroom, turning over all the chairs as well as doing other things. The aides got the others out of the room, while the teacher called for the principal. We now have to say, when we call, "Violent Student," or else help may not come OR if it does, it does not come quickly. I don't know all the particulars, but I know this child was sent home. The big question is this: Will he be any different when he returns? Probably not.
We have young students who try to flee their classrooms.
We have young students who have no regard for authority, thinking nothing of telling a teacher, "NO!" when they do not want to do what they are asked to do, whether it is class work or some behavior.
We have young students who purposely disrupt the class.
I sat with a group of 4th grade teachers a few weeks ago. We had one of those PD afternoons, and so we had to meet for about an hour as a group. The principal happened to come in. I am not sure how the conversation shifted the way it did, but those teachers spoke to him about a particular student who is a runner . . . a disrupter. They have tried all sorts of things to deal with the challenge. They asked the principal for help. All he did was put it back at them. Our principal does not want to deal with discipline, and problems are increasing because he won't.
I am retiring soon. This is one reason. I see what is coming. I feel bad for the younger teachers, some of whom are ready to quit at year's end. They feel they get no support from their principal. Problem students' issues escalate the older they get because they are not dealt with when they are younger. One big area is bullying. Sad.
It does not help that there are dysfunctional homes -- not just one-parent homes but also two-parent homes. So many of our challenging students need stability..... routine..... security..... love. They don't get it at home.
Teachers in my school will say that they see potential school shooters in what they see with our younger students who are major problems. There was a time when a girl would become pregnant while still in high school, and we's say the same thing -- we could see it coming. Now, though, the problems have escalated to harming others physically.
Second Timothy 3, describes the last days: "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power."
We are seeing it more and more.
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Monday, October 22, 2018
Bionic Woman II
Bionic Woman II
Here I am, two years -- almost to the day -- recovering from another joint replacement surgery. In 2016 it was my left shoulder, which had long bothered me since I injured it nearly 30 years ago. Over time arthritis set in and my shoulder joint deteriorated to being bone on bone. In 2018 it is my right hip, which had not bothered me all that long before it, too, deteriorated to bone-on-bone.
On and off the past few years, I had times when it seemed my leg/hip wasn't acting quite right. Getting into the passenger's side of the car, I sometimes would pick up my leg and set it in, as it was a bit painful to try to do it the normal way. I would get into the driver's seat an odd way as well, backing in with my knee bent, sitting, and then turning the rest of the way in. There were times I felt like I was going to fall off my leg when I was walking. At times, turning in bed to lie on that side was uncomfortable. These instances would come and go.
That changed sometime in March. I soon came to the conclusion that I should visit my orthopedic medical people and start a record. At my first appointment the first week in April, x-rays showed that I had arthritis in both hips as well as my back. I was aware that I might have it in my back because I often experience stiffness when I get up and moving, whether getting out of bed or out of a seat. It was obvious I had it in my right hip. The surprise was that it was showing up in my right hip, as nothing in that area bothers me. So, we discussed some ideas for me to get some relief: aquatic therapy, glucosamine chondroitin and ibuprofen, a steroid shot. None of them did much of anything, and my pain worsened over the months.
Summer was a challenge, as we headed South on vacation. Both the Syracuse and Charlotte airports were under major renovation, and so I had to do a lot more walking on hard surfaces than usual. That irritated my hip. We mostly just relaxed in Charlotte. Gary and Marilyn had been on a lengthy vacation and just returned. We were content with not being tourists. In Greenville, Milt and Janice had planned things so that I would not have to do a lot of walking. We did enjoy a trip up to the mountains, where we enjoyed a pontoon ride and then went on to Hendersonville for lunch and a visit with my cousin and her husband as well as my aunt. We managed to go to a church picnic and enjoy fireworks, and the guys got in some golfing while Janice and I enjoyed a park, visiting, and getting coffee at a local coffee shop. NICE.
Things continued to deteriorate. Between April and the end of June, I had made four visits to the doctor. Added to my regimen was tramadol, a light narcotic, in case I could use a boost while we traveled. Sometimes, I could not sit comfortably no matter how I tried. More and more, it was difficult for me to stand up from sitting. I felt as though my bone may have shifted a tiny bit and I was needing it to slip back in.
The end of July I had another appointment, after it was obvious aquatic therapy was of no use to me. At that time I told my doctor that I was not going to try another shot. The first one didn't do much, AND I knew that if I got a shot, I would have to wait three months, if it was decided I needed surgery. From my first visit in April until this time, we had talked about joint replacement surgery. In April, I thought that was way off in the future -- may spring or next summer. By July, that wasn't an option. My situation was worsening. If I kept putting off surgery, who knows what effect that would have? I was really hurting as it was.
My surgery was scheduled for September 24. My surgeon, Dr. Ian Dickey, met with me and told me what he planned to do. At that time, I must not have been paying a lot of attention. I thought that once I had the surgery, there would be about six weeks I would not be able to bend more than 90 degrees. My recliner would not work for sleeping because sometimes I end up in a tighter angle than 90. I wasn't too sure how I was going to sleep, how I was going to dress myself, and lots of other things.
As it turns out, my surgeon used a newer procedure, anterior arthroplasty: smaller incision, no cut muscles, less pain, quicker recovery. I would be able to bend, but I did have a few other restrictions.
So far, my recovery has been uneventful. Both the therapist (came to my house) and surgeon said I was "ahead of the curve." Friends are amazed at how mobile I became so quickly.
Bets are now being taken for which joint it will be in 2020. Any guesses?
Here I am, two years -- almost to the day -- recovering from another joint replacement surgery. In 2016 it was my left shoulder, which had long bothered me since I injured it nearly 30 years ago. Over time arthritis set in and my shoulder joint deteriorated to being bone on bone. In 2018 it is my right hip, which had not bothered me all that long before it, too, deteriorated to bone-on-bone.On and off the past few years, I had times when it seemed my leg/hip wasn't acting quite right. Getting into the passenger's side of the car, I sometimes would pick up my leg and set it in, as it was a bit painful to try to do it the normal way. I would get into the driver's seat an odd way as well, backing in with my knee bent, sitting, and then turning the rest of the way in. There were times I felt like I was going to fall off my leg when I was walking. At times, turning in bed to lie on that side was uncomfortable. These instances would come and go.
That changed sometime in March. I soon came to the conclusion that I should visit my orthopedic medical people and start a record. At my first appointment the first week in April, x-rays showed that I had arthritis in both hips as well as my back. I was aware that I might have it in my back because I often experience stiffness when I get up and moving, whether getting out of bed or out of a seat. It was obvious I had it in my right hip. The surprise was that it was showing up in my right hip, as nothing in that area bothers me. So, we discussed some ideas for me to get some relief: aquatic therapy, glucosamine chondroitin and ibuprofen, a steroid shot. None of them did much of anything, and my pain worsened over the months.
Summer was a challenge, as we headed South on vacation. Both the Syracuse and Charlotte airports were under major renovation, and so I had to do a lot more walking on hard surfaces than usual. That irritated my hip. We mostly just relaxed in Charlotte. Gary and Marilyn had been on a lengthy vacation and just returned. We were content with not being tourists. In Greenville, Milt and Janice had planned things so that I would not have to do a lot of walking. We did enjoy a trip up to the mountains, where we enjoyed a pontoon ride and then went on to Hendersonville for lunch and a visit with my cousin and her husband as well as my aunt. We managed to go to a church picnic and enjoy fireworks, and the guys got in some golfing while Janice and I enjoyed a park, visiting, and getting coffee at a local coffee shop. NICE.
Things continued to deteriorate. Between April and the end of June, I had made four visits to the doctor. Added to my regimen was tramadol, a light narcotic, in case I could use a boost while we traveled. Sometimes, I could not sit comfortably no matter how I tried. More and more, it was difficult for me to stand up from sitting. I felt as though my bone may have shifted a tiny bit and I was needing it to slip back in.
The end of July I had another appointment, after it was obvious aquatic therapy was of no use to me. At that time I told my doctor that I was not going to try another shot. The first one didn't do much, AND I knew that if I got a shot, I would have to wait three months, if it was decided I needed surgery. From my first visit in April until this time, we had talked about joint replacement surgery. In April, I thought that was way off in the future -- may spring or next summer. By July, that wasn't an option. My situation was worsening. If I kept putting off surgery, who knows what effect that would have? I was really hurting as it was.
My surgery was scheduled for September 24. My surgeon, Dr. Ian Dickey, met with me and told me what he planned to do. At that time, I must not have been paying a lot of attention. I thought that once I had the surgery, there would be about six weeks I would not be able to bend more than 90 degrees. My recliner would not work for sleeping because sometimes I end up in a tighter angle than 90. I wasn't too sure how I was going to sleep, how I was going to dress myself, and lots of other things.
As it turns out, my surgeon used a newer procedure, anterior arthroplasty: smaller incision, no cut muscles, less pain, quicker recovery. I would be able to bend, but I did have a few other restrictions.
So far, my recovery has been uneventful. Both the therapist (came to my house) and surgeon said I was "ahead of the curve." Friends are amazed at how mobile I became so quickly.
Bets are now being taken for which joint it will be in 2020. Any guesses?
Monday, October 10, 2016
Bionic Woman
Nothing like being someone with these "strikes" against her, when it comes to her joints:
- When I was in my mid-30s, I dislocated my shoulder while I was playing volleyball. The x-ray of it was rather disgusting, with the knob of my humerus bone very obviously in my armpit. For a month I was velcroed together to heal, followed up by some physical therapy -- but not enough to completely rehabilitate me. I lost my ability to do much that required a left-handed overhead motion. Forget throwing. Forget some high reaching. Forget being able to move that joint in a completely normal fashion. There would always be times when my shoulder blade would ache after I had been hunched over a desk or table, working. I learned to accommodate the limitations I had.
- Arthritis runs in my family. My mother had issues, especially with her hip as she aged. My father had issues with his lower back. So, I was not shocked the first time I was told i had the start of arthritis in my body.
- I spent most of 2012 battling breast cancer. Although both sides were affected, it was that left side that required more attention. The more intense surgery was on that side, as the more serious problems were on that side (Stage IIIA versus Stage 0). Chemo, followed by radiation were no help to my body. My tamoxifen pills also take a toll on the bones and joints
Initially, my being sent to an orthopedic office was to try to get relief for persistent tendinitis that was plaguing my upper left arm. I was sent to physical therapy, which did help immensely. The issues with my shoulder, though, would make themselves evident. It did not take too long before I was back with the tendinitis, although not as severe as before. By the following spring, I decided that I had had enough and went back to the orthopedists. In addition to PT this time, there were a few other things we tried: trigger point injections, ultra sound massage, electronic impulses, and eventually a shot in my shoulder (October). By spring, I was again having problems.
A new xray, followed by an MRI showed that the root of my problem had become a shoulder joint with no cartilage and some small tears in the surrounding tendons. No wonder I was hearing and feeling grinding and crackling in my shoulder. My choices were to endure increasing discomfort or have shoulder replacement surgery.
I chose replacement surgery. I did not want to be like my mother who had refused to do anything about her hip, and i saw what that did to her and how it affected her life -- not pleasant at all.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Some Thoughts
I was glad that I made the time to go to Ohio to see my mom once more. I had decided that my reasons for not going were not all that good. Yes, it was disheartening to see Mom, compared to what she had been like the end of December. I have found that my fear of having a good final memory displaced by this one, that was not the case.
In my time with her, she only spoke to me once, and at that time it was my name she said. A few times Thursday and Friday, I tried to get her to drink a little -- water on Thursday and some of my milkshake on Friday. She did take a few sips of water through the straw; but she negatively reacted to me about a sip of my milkshake -- in a way, that was humorous, as that is the type of reaction we could have expected from her.
Because Easter Weekend is busy for ministers like Mark, Becky and I were glad to be in Ohio to free up Debbie and Mark for their responsibilities at church. We found it timely, in light of the discussion with hospice Friday evening that we (Becky, Dad, and me) had with Terri and the fact that 24/7 kicked in late the following afternoon.
When I left Ohio on that Saturday, I had with me Mom's writings about her life. My assignment was to try to sift through the material and come up with what to share about her by her at her memorial service. Most of the people who would be at her service, did not know Mom very well. We, the family, thought that if we could convey who our mom was, they would understand us better -- the people we have become, her legacy.
I did go to school Monday and Tuesday, although not many people were aware of what had occurred. Some knew I had been to Ohio and why. The teacher I work with is a long-time friend, and she knew what had occurred. Although she was surprised to see me at school those days, she understood why I wanted to be there. She made me feel comfortable about things and let me know that if I needed to take a breather for a bit, just to do it. I had with me to work on in my free time, my mother's writings. I did not have a lot of time to get 25 pages of typed material condensed to a presentation that would last about five minutes at the most.
As long as I did not talk much about what was going on in my life, I was fine. Talk to me, though, and I would get choked up.
I had two of the girls in my 2nd grade class ask me that Monday morning about my mother, as the teacher had told the class where I was. I said to them that my mother had spent the last part of Easter in Heaven. They thought that was pretty cool!
I did not want to make plans for time off until plans were settled about the memorial service. The primary piece of the puzzle was when would we be able to have the committal at Ohio Western Reserve Military Cemetery. Mark and Debbie were going to go make the plans that Monday.
It was odd to be saying farewell to Mom, when I left Ohio that Saturday. I knew that was it. It was odd to know that our family was changed. Yes, I have my moments. I get tears. I cry a little. Mom has always been here, even when she was in her bed, asleep, away from the conversation that was going on. She was a presence.
In my time with her, she only spoke to me once, and at that time it was my name she said. A few times Thursday and Friday, I tried to get her to drink a little -- water on Thursday and some of my milkshake on Friday. She did take a few sips of water through the straw; but she negatively reacted to me about a sip of my milkshake -- in a way, that was humorous, as that is the type of reaction we could have expected from her.
Because Easter Weekend is busy for ministers like Mark, Becky and I were glad to be in Ohio to free up Debbie and Mark for their responsibilities at church. We found it timely, in light of the discussion with hospice Friday evening that we (Becky, Dad, and me) had with Terri and the fact that 24/7 kicked in late the following afternoon.
When I left Ohio on that Saturday, I had with me Mom's writings about her life. My assignment was to try to sift through the material and come up with what to share about her by her at her memorial service. Most of the people who would be at her service, did not know Mom very well. We, the family, thought that if we could convey who our mom was, they would understand us better -- the people we have become, her legacy.
I did go to school Monday and Tuesday, although not many people were aware of what had occurred. Some knew I had been to Ohio and why. The teacher I work with is a long-time friend, and she knew what had occurred. Although she was surprised to see me at school those days, she understood why I wanted to be there. She made me feel comfortable about things and let me know that if I needed to take a breather for a bit, just to do it. I had with me to work on in my free time, my mother's writings. I did not have a lot of time to get 25 pages of typed material condensed to a presentation that would last about five minutes at the most.
As long as I did not talk much about what was going on in my life, I was fine. Talk to me, though, and I would get choked up.
I had two of the girls in my 2nd grade class ask me that Monday morning about my mother, as the teacher had told the class where I was. I said to them that my mother had spent the last part of Easter in Heaven. They thought that was pretty cool!
I did not want to make plans for time off until plans were settled about the memorial service. The primary piece of the puzzle was when would we be able to have the committal at Ohio Western Reserve Military Cemetery. Mark and Debbie were going to go make the plans that Monday.
It was odd to be saying farewell to Mom, when I left Ohio that Saturday. I knew that was it. It was odd to know that our family was changed. Yes, I have my moments. I get tears. I cry a little. Mom has always been here, even when she was in her bed, asleep, away from the conversation that was going on. She was a presence.
Bye for Now, Mom
To the family from Debbie:
"I am sure you are aware of the news of Mom/Grandma's passing into Heaven last night. Here is the obituary from the funeral home's website. I want you to know that Mom/Grandma passed away very peacefully. Her breathing had become very shallow for the last 30 minutes or so, until we could hardly hear her taking a breath. She was in no pain. Then, just as the nurse walked in the room to give her a little more medicine, Mom took one last breath, and then, for the first time in a while, she made an expression of a smile, and then she was gone.
It was a beautiful moment, because, in spite of our sadness, we knew that her last whisper of a smile here was most likely the first moment she opened her eyes into eternity. I don't know who the smile was for, or who was greeting her, but I like to think it was Jesus...as the beloved hymn says, 'I long to see my Savior first of all.'"
==============================================================
MILDRED ELIZABETH ASHLEY (nee Geraldson), 93, of Sagamore Hills, OH, formerly of Binghamton, NY, beloved wife of Willard Ashley, loving mother of Mark (Debbie) Ashley, Elizabeth (Dennis) Eaton, Sharon (Gary) Augustson, Milton (Janice) Ashley and Becky (Ron) Villa, dear grandmother of 11, great grandmother of 12, sister of Helen Johnson and the late Torris Geraldson, Lillian Waid and Stanley Geraldson. Died Sunday March 27, 2016.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Gideon's International or Kindred at Home Hospice.
Service will be Thursday March 31, 2016 at 7:00 pm at the Northfield Baptist Church, 311 West Aurora Rd., Northfield, OH, where the family will receive friends from 6-7 pm. Interment will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
"I am sure you are aware of the news of Mom/Grandma's passing into Heaven last night. Here is the obituary from the funeral home's website. I want you to know that Mom/Grandma passed away very peacefully. Her breathing had become very shallow for the last 30 minutes or so, until we could hardly hear her taking a breath. She was in no pain. Then, just as the nurse walked in the room to give her a little more medicine, Mom took one last breath, and then, for the first time in a while, she made an expression of a smile, and then she was gone.
It was a beautiful moment, because, in spite of our sadness, we knew that her last whisper of a smile here was most likely the first moment she opened her eyes into eternity. I don't know who the smile was for, or who was greeting her, but I like to think it was Jesus...as the beloved hymn says, 'I long to see my Savior first of all.'"
==============================================================
MILDRED ELIZABETH ASHLEY (nee Geraldson), 93, of Sagamore Hills, OH, formerly of Binghamton, NY, beloved wife of Willard Ashley, loving mother of Mark (Debbie) Ashley, Elizabeth (Dennis) Eaton, Sharon (Gary) Augustson, Milton (Janice) Ashley and Becky (Ron) Villa, dear grandmother of 11, great grandmother of 12, sister of Helen Johnson and the late Torris Geraldson, Lillian Waid and Stanley Geraldson. Died Sunday March 27, 2016. The family suggests memorial contributions to Gideon's International or Kindred at Home Hospice.
Service will be Thursday March 31, 2016 at 7:00 pm at the Northfield Baptist Church, 311 West Aurora Rd., Northfield, OH, where the family will receive friends from 6-7 pm. Interment will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
March 27, 2016 -- Resurrection Sunday
Morning news from Ohio was that there was no real change overnight in Mom's condition.
Mom's condition has not changed much overnight. Dad slept and we went home to sleep as the hospice nurse felt she could call us at any time and we could get there before anything major happened. I was there this morning to make sure Dad went to breakfast, which he did without having to convince him - he was really hungry :) Mark is going over before he heads to church - he is planning to preach this morning. It's a beautiful Easter morning here, and all is well :)
--------------------
I decided that if Mark could preach, I could do the singing I planned to do at church. Friends at church knew I had been to Ohio and why -- I decided I would be all right with this, as long as no one asked me about my trip. Any who did I told I would talk about it after church. Initially, I had thought I would not go to church nor go to Dennis's mom's for dinner; but with this report, I went ahead with the day's plans.
--------------------------
About 3:30 pm this is what Debbie shared: "Mom's vitals are decreasing. The nurse could not find a pulse just now but she is still breathing. Seems she may go to heaven tonight." I knew that I did not want to leave the house the rest of the afternoon or evening, after we got back from dinner. I knew my mom was near the end of her earthly life, and I really did not feel like going anywhere OR missing the call I would receive, as Debbie had said that they would not tell us first by messages, someone would call.
------------------------
About 8:30 pm, this was the update: "Not much to report. Mom's breathing is more shallow. David Geraldson called and Mark held his phone up to Mom's ear and he spoke to her for a minute. Ginny called and talked to Mark. They are planning to come for the funeral. Jonathan came and said goodbye to Grandma. Friends from our church stopped by and ended up chatting with Dad for a while and listened to all his war stories. Dad went in again this evening and spoke to Mom. He does seem to realize the finality of things. Right now we found a TV show on airplanes so he is telling the hospice chaplain all about the airplanes he has flown. So we continue to take things as they come...."
---------------------------
By 9:00 pm, Mom was in Heaven, spending the last part of Resurrection Sunday in Heaven with her Savior! When Milt called me to tell me the news, I said to Dennis, "She's gone." I was teary, how I would be for days to come. Mom is rejoicing.
Love this sculpture
Mom's condition has not changed much overnight. Dad slept and we went home to sleep as the hospice nurse felt she could call us at any time and we could get there before anything major happened. I was there this morning to make sure Dad went to breakfast, which he did without having to convince him - he was really hungry :) Mark is going over before he heads to church - he is planning to preach this morning. It's a beautiful Easter morning here, and all is well :)
--------------------
I decided that if Mark could preach, I could do the singing I planned to do at church. Friends at church knew I had been to Ohio and why -- I decided I would be all right with this, as long as no one asked me about my trip. Any who did I told I would talk about it after church. Initially, I had thought I would not go to church nor go to Dennis's mom's for dinner; but with this report, I went ahead with the day's plans.
--------------------------
About 3:30 pm this is what Debbie shared: "Mom's vitals are decreasing. The nurse could not find a pulse just now but she is still breathing. Seems she may go to heaven tonight." I knew that I did not want to leave the house the rest of the afternoon or evening, after we got back from dinner. I knew my mom was near the end of her earthly life, and I really did not feel like going anywhere OR missing the call I would receive, as Debbie had said that they would not tell us first by messages, someone would call.
------------------------
About 8:30 pm, this was the update: "Not much to report. Mom's breathing is more shallow. David Geraldson called and Mark held his phone up to Mom's ear and he spoke to her for a minute. Ginny called and talked to Mark. They are planning to come for the funeral. Jonathan came and said goodbye to Grandma. Friends from our church stopped by and ended up chatting with Dad for a while and listened to all his war stories. Dad went in again this evening and spoke to Mom. He does seem to realize the finality of things. Right now we found a TV show on airplanes so he is telling the hospice chaplain all about the airplanes he has flown. So we continue to take things as they come...."
---------------------------By 9:00 pm, Mom was in Heaven, spending the last part of Resurrection Sunday in Heaven with her Savior! When Milt called me to tell me the news, I said to Dennis, "She's gone." I was teary, how I would be for days to come. Mom is rejoicing.
Love this sculpture
March 26, 2016
from Debbie
. . . The news to share tonight is that there are signs that Mom's body is beginning to shut down. There was no output of fluids today, which is an indicator that the kidneys may be shutting down, which is usually the first thing to happen. Also, there are some specific markings on the body that are indicative of things shutting down. Mom was not responsive at all today. She was occasionally restless, but not like she had been previously. [Terri had talked about these markings to Becky and me Friday night.]
Liz and Becky talked with one of the other hospice nurses this evening for a while. This nurse, based on her 13 yrs experience, suggested that perhaps Mom could last 7-10 days longer, Of course, there is no way to really know, but this nurse noted that Mom is a strong, "stubborn" woman, so who knows what will happen :) On the other hand, due to her extreme weight loss, she could go quickly. This same nurse talked to Dad this evening and gave him some very basic info and chatted with him. Dad seems to be doing OK overall, seems to grasp generally what is coming.
As things progress, and it seems Mom's passing is clearly coming, there will be hospice nurses there around the clock, so Dad will not be alone, nor will Mom. Of course, we will also be there as much as we can -- we will take this one step at a time. . .
----------
Becky and I stopped by Saturday morning on our way home. We took time to read with Dad from his devotional book and then pray with him. I then said to Becky I wanted to go in and read to Mom and pray with her. Becky didn't think she could help me out with that. So, I went in, took a seat, and read to her Psalm 121 and Psalm 23. I prayed with her. Hard, but it was what I wanted to do.
As I got up to leave, I said to Mom, "Thanks for being a good Mom. I love you." Then I kissed her and left. Becky went in after me, but I have no idea what she did or said.
By Saturday evening, things really began to change. I cried again.
--------------------------------------
"Just got a call from hospice - Mom has declined significantly this afternoon. They are beginning 24 hour vigil. Oxygen levels are declining. Breaths are farther apart. She could pass away as soon as tomorrow."
. . . The news to share tonight is that there are signs that Mom's body is beginning to shut down. There was no output of fluids today, which is an indicator that the kidneys may be shutting down, which is usually the first thing to happen. Also, there are some specific markings on the body that are indicative of things shutting down. Mom was not responsive at all today. She was occasionally restless, but not like she had been previously. [Terri had talked about these markings to Becky and me Friday night.]
Liz and Becky talked with one of the other hospice nurses this evening for a while. This nurse, based on her 13 yrs experience, suggested that perhaps Mom could last 7-10 days longer, Of course, there is no way to really know, but this nurse noted that Mom is a strong, "stubborn" woman, so who knows what will happen :) On the other hand, due to her extreme weight loss, she could go quickly. This same nurse talked to Dad this evening and gave him some very basic info and chatted with him. Dad seems to be doing OK overall, seems to grasp generally what is coming.
As things progress, and it seems Mom's passing is clearly coming, there will be hospice nurses there around the clock, so Dad will not be alone, nor will Mom. Of course, we will also be there as much as we can -- we will take this one step at a time. . .
----------
Becky and I stopped by Saturday morning on our way home. We took time to read with Dad from his devotional book and then pray with him. I then said to Becky I wanted to go in and read to Mom and pray with her. Becky didn't think she could help me out with that. So, I went in, took a seat, and read to her Psalm 121 and Psalm 23. I prayed with her. Hard, but it was what I wanted to do.
As I got up to leave, I said to Mom, "Thanks for being a good Mom. I love you." Then I kissed her and left. Becky went in after me, but I have no idea what she did or said.
By Saturday evening, things really began to change. I cried again.
--------------------------------------
"Just got a call from hospice - Mom has declined significantly this afternoon. They are beginning 24 hour vigil. Oxygen levels are declining. Breaths are farther apart. She could pass away as soon as tomorrow."
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