Thursday, October 29, 2009
Scripture reading
Mom's Bible is sitting on her table, and she so enjoys hearing people read to her. Kathy told me that the young man who sits at the front desk at Mom's nursing home said that Mom asked him to read the Bible to her. He was very glad to do that for her. See--we have trusted God to provide "angels" to care for Mom, and He is providing in many ways.
Happy Thursday!
Good morning, and Happy Thursday to you! (I always remember a waitress at a breakfast place where Tim took us years ago; it was Thursday and she kept singing that to us)
Lizzie and Emma and dear sister Sarah have arrived! Their Southwest Airlines flight came in to SFO last night and we picked them up on the curb on the first g0-round! SOOOO good to see them!!! Travels went well and all are feeling great. We are at the McBirneys this AM, getting ready to go see Gramma in a little bit.
We were not able to go see Mom yesterday evening, as it was late, but I heard from Mom's sister Noelle that they had a wonderful visit yesterday, a real answer to prayer that they could have a special time of showing appreciation for one another. Cousin Margo bent over backwards to make the trip, and they must be exhausted today after waiting for ever to get across the SF Bay with the Bay Bridge being closed. Thank you Margo.
Noelle said Nan was there when they arrived, helping Mom with her lunch. Noelle also helped a bit later, but there were tears of frustration when the tiny bits that Mom tried to swallow kept coming back out of her mouth.
We are so glad that in spite of frustrations about eating, Mom has joy in her heart and she has been able to have these special "last times" with her family and friends.
Lizzie and Emma and dear sister Sarah have arrived! Their Southwest Airlines flight came in to SFO last night and we picked them up on the curb on the first g0-round! SOOOO good to see them!!! Travels went well and all are feeling great. We are at the McBirneys this AM, getting ready to go see Gramma in a little bit.
We were not able to go see Mom yesterday evening, as it was late, but I heard from Mom's sister Noelle that they had a wonderful visit yesterday, a real answer to prayer that they could have a special time of showing appreciation for one another. Cousin Margo bent over backwards to make the trip, and they must be exhausted today after waiting for ever to get across the SF Bay with the Bay Bridge being closed. Thank you Margo.
Noelle said Nan was there when they arrived, helping Mom with her lunch. Noelle also helped a bit later, but there were tears of frustration when the tiny bits that Mom tried to swallow kept coming back out of her mouth.
We are so glad that in spite of frustrations about eating, Mom has joy in her heart and she has been able to have these special "last times" with her family and friends.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
a brisk day
Nan just called and said she is with Mom now; Mom wanted to go outdoors to enjoy the fresh air but Nan told her "it's so cold outside!" Also, the nursing staff has Mom on oxygen again, and they said she should not go outside away from her oxygen. Visits from friends like Nan and others will certainly brighten any kind of blustery day! Thank You, Lord.
hymns of joy and gladness
We are packing the car to go see Mom, and a dear friend just called and gave a wonderful suggestion that I had also thought of--perhaps someone could bring in a CD player or a tape player and Mom's nurse or someone else could turn on a CD of hymns for Mom to listen to. We don't have a portable CD player but we will look! Feel free to contact me if you have some ideas!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
"Tomorrow?"
Tonight I called the front desk at Mom's nursing home and Winter, the nurse, said Mom was wide awake and she would help answer Mom's phone if I called her. So, I was able to talk to Mom and her voice sounded so eager and almost excited, although very weak. I told her Lizzie and Emma are coming tomorrow night, and I am coming tomorrow. "Tomorrow?" she said, with a joyful anticipation. "Yes! And, your sister Noelle and Margo and Vic are coming tomorrow to see you too!" "Tomorrow?" She said the word so clearly. Tomorrow will be a good day!
Winter told me that Mom still has not swallowed anything. She said the hospice nurses came again today. The doctor was supposed to come and check Mom, but Winter said she did not see a record that the doctor had come. Maybe tomorrow.
No matter, we know Mom is in the hands of her Great Physician, and He knows the way for ALL her tomorrows.
Winter told me that Mom still has not swallowed anything. She said the hospice nurses came again today. The doctor was supposed to come and check Mom, but Winter said she did not see a record that the doctor had come. Maybe tomorrow.
No matter, we know Mom is in the hands of her Great Physician, and He knows the way for ALL her tomorrows.
family
Last night Mom told me she really wants to see all her family. She misses her grandchildren a lot, and thinks about them a great deal. We did not think Lizzie and John would be able to make it out from Ohio to see Gramma again, and unfortunately, John's work schedule will not allow him to come. But, his sister Sarah has made an opening in her schedule and she will accompany Lizzie and baby Emma on a flight coming tomorrow evening! When I gave my mom the news, I could hear the relief in her voice. We are praying for smooth travels for everyone, and that the Lord will orchestrate the timing for each family member to be with Gramma and give her the "in-person loving" that she so wants and needs at this time. (Actually, we need it too!)
The nursing home is not very conducive to large groups, so here is a specific prayer request: Although Mom has the sweetest roommate, I am praying that Mom might be able to move to a room where there is no roommate for a time, so we can sit around and sing hymns and have fellowship with her with just a bit of elbow room. The nursing home is being remodeled and they are not receiving new patients at this time, so this may be a possibility.
I along with the younger children will plan to head over to Mom's, first thing in the morning.
Thank you for praying!
The nursing home is not very conducive to large groups, so here is a specific prayer request: Although Mom has the sweetest roommate, I am praying that Mom might be able to move to a room where there is no roommate for a time, so we can sit around and sing hymns and have fellowship with her with just a bit of elbow room. The nursing home is being remodeled and they are not receiving new patients at this time, so this may be a possibility.
I along with the younger children will plan to head over to Mom's, first thing in the morning.
Thank you for praying!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Mom called tonight
What a nice surprise--Mom was able to call us tonight on her phone, using her auto dialer. We are so grateful for the help in getting her phone fixed!
Mom was quite clear in her thinking tonight. The only thing that is weak is her voice and her energy. She is wrung out and without strength, not having eaten or had much in the way of liquids for quite some time.
Her hospice nurse said she is without pain. What a praise that is! And, Mom is not taking her oral morphine for her breathing pain, because she cannot swallow the drops. So, what do you think of that? No pain without her morphine??? That is such a gift from God.
I was alone at home for much of the phone call time this evening, and was able to just read Scriptures to Mom (Psalm 139), and I prayed for her and sang to her. We talked about all the people she will see in Heaven--of course Jesus first, and then Dad, Ruth Patterson, Dad's friend Howard Efting, Mamie Crader, her friends, her sisters, and she will meet the little babies that she miscarried. I also reminded her that she will get to meet all the people we've learned about in the Bible who loved Jesus, like Mary and Martha. She is tearful, not about going to Heaven, but perhaps about us having to say goodbye to her. She always looks out for others. I told her I will miss her sooooo much, but the Lord will take care of us--also, she has prayed for all of us so much, and God will answer her prayers.
Today the hospice nurse told me once again that she offered to Mom that she could have an IV and a feeding tube to get nutrition and hydration. She said she explained it all simply to Mom. Mom declined, saying clearly that she is ready to go Home.
Tonight I asked her once again. She answered the same as yesterday when I was with her. She does not want a feeding tube. She is ready to go Home. It is good to talk about it, but oh so hard. Would it be easier if Mom were not so aware of what is going on? We do not know. For some reason which we do not know, this is the path the Lord has allowed for her and for us. It is hard. So very hard.
Mom was quite clear in her thinking tonight. The only thing that is weak is her voice and her energy. She is wrung out and without strength, not having eaten or had much in the way of liquids for quite some time.
Her hospice nurse said she is without pain. What a praise that is! And, Mom is not taking her oral morphine for her breathing pain, because she cannot swallow the drops. So, what do you think of that? No pain without her morphine??? That is such a gift from God.
I was alone at home for much of the phone call time this evening, and was able to just read Scriptures to Mom (Psalm 139), and I prayed for her and sang to her. We talked about all the people she will see in Heaven--of course Jesus first, and then Dad, Ruth Patterson, Dad's friend Howard Efting, Mamie Crader, her friends, her sisters, and she will meet the little babies that she miscarried. I also reminded her that she will get to meet all the people we've learned about in the Bible who loved Jesus, like Mary and Martha. She is tearful, not about going to Heaven, but perhaps about us having to say goodbye to her. She always looks out for others. I told her I will miss her sooooo much, but the Lord will take care of us--also, she has prayed for all of us so much, and God will answer her prayers.
Today the hospice nurse told me once again that she offered to Mom that she could have an IV and a feeding tube to get nutrition and hydration. She said she explained it all simply to Mom. Mom declined, saying clearly that she is ready to go Home.
Tonight I asked her once again. She answered the same as yesterday when I was with her. She does not want a feeding tube. She is ready to go Home. It is good to talk about it, but oh so hard. Would it be easier if Mom were not so aware of what is going on? We do not know. For some reason which we do not know, this is the path the Lord has allowed for her and for us. It is hard. So very hard.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
