Saturday, July 30, 2011

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS


My poor parents have had a REALLY rough week. My stepdad has terminal lung cancer. He was diagnosed almost 3 years ago and has done sooo well. He opted not to do chemo as he is 87 years old now (84 when he made that decision) and they told him up front the chemo would not cure him, but "might" pro-long his life by a few months. Chemo itself on the other hand, 'COULD" kill him. We all supported his decision, and it has turned out to be a really wise one. He has always been a really healthy, sharp man. You would never know he was even sick. Until now. It is really starting to catch up with him. He can't eat much at all now and is losing weight rapidly. He is weak and out of breath…wants mainly to sleep. He has good days too though every once in a while and we still play cards almost every Friday night. This week has been REALLY bad, and a whole new set of symptoms seem to be coming to the surface. My mom is of course worried sick over him and fusses and pampers him as much as she can. Meanwhile, she has recovered REALLY well from her stroke, but not all the way. She still occasionally struggles with finding the right word for things, and reads really, really slowly. She too tires quickly, but has really been her old sassy self for the most part. They take care of each other the best they can. It is really pretty sweet and inspiring to watch. How connected they are. Anyway, as they were driving to the doc's yesterday to hear the results of my stepdad's latest test, my mother appeared to have what was another stroke. She was just soo upset and frantic over the results of the coming tests. The doc's called an ambulance and she was whisked to the hospital. After many tests they decided what she had more than likely suffered from was actually a mini seizure which I guess is really pretty common after the kind of stroke she suffered last Sept. She has been on medication to prevent that, but stopped it (with the doc's orders of course) 3 months ago as she was doing sooo well. We were all glad to see that happen as the medication makes her kind of slow and dopey. Anyway, this was all of course good news as it is soo much better than another stroke. She could not speak or make any sense at all at first and it appeared soo bad. She very quickly though began to regain her speech and by the time I left the hospital last night she was almost back to her old self. She again seems to be unable to read very well, but the doc felt that 24 hours would make a huge difference. My poor stepdad is soo upset. We are all soo glad that his daughter is taking good care of him while my mom is sick. She should get out of the hospital today if all goes as they are hoping. The care the two of them is going to require will again be divided up amongst us. I just hope it is enough as more time goes by. It is soo hard to watch your parent’s age and suffer. She looks so tiny lying there in her bed, and seems soo scared. I am anxious for her to get back to giving orders and being her old self. Aging and growing old is certainly part of life, and when you consider the alternative is really where you hope to be some day. But watching pretty much hopelessly is a little harder than I anticipated. Soo many of my friends are in the same boat, or have already lost their parents. I guess it is the age I imagine. I would appreciate your prayers on this. I am headed back to the hospital this morning as I want to hear the instructions and get them settled safely back in their house. Thank you Lord for watching over her yesterday....


14 comments:

  1. I will be praying for all of you. It is so hard and hurts to see our parents suffering through old age. I pray every day for the Lord to quiety take my folks when it is his time. We have had so many scares the last few years with my Dad and my mother hardly does anything after her hip surgery.
    Not so "golden" of years.
    It does make you dread getting older.

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  2. Oh Debbie, I am so sorry to hear of this.
    I can't imagine how hard it all must be.
    I think of that now sometimes, that I don't know what I will do when I might one day be in those shoes. That is a hard part of life.
    I will keep them both in my prayers.
    they sound like such wonderful people with very strong spirits.
    I will keep you in my prayers as well. Hang in there Debbie. I am thinking of you.
    Hugs,
    Genn

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  3. {{{hug}}} Praying for you all here, too. It's so hard to watch our parents age/become ill. My dad is in his late 80's, and it's so hard to see him becoming weaker and frailer ... and to see him refuse to acknowledge that.

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  4. Oh my goodness Debbie, prayers are going out to both of them, and you as well. Hang in there. I am so sorry.
    Kris

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  5. Oh Debbie, I'm so sorry to hear this. Of course you will all be in my prayers. I don't know what it's like to be going through something like this. I'm so sorry, you are all in my prayers.

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  6. Hi Debbie, Just wish I was close enough to help you Debbie. Prayers will be going up for them as well as for your girl and grand.
    Sendng big hugs and lots of love to you today.
    Noreen

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  7. Debbie,
    Will certainly keep you and your family in prayer. We have had similiar experiences with my folks it's so difficult. What a blessing you are to have a heart to help them, praying God will continue to pour out his grace and keep you refreshed.
    Blessings

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  8. Praying right now and will continue to do so. May God's peace that passes all understanding cover all of you during this time.

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  9. Oh Deb - it really has been a most difficult week. Please know that I am praying for all of you...

    Hugs sweet friend, Jennifer

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  10. I'm praying for all of you my friend...

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  11. Dear Debbie, I am your newest follower. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Blessings, Catherine xo

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  12. I imagine this reality to be very difficult for all of you. The seasons of our lives are often hard to cycle through, especially on those of us who are unable to fix the problem. I've watched my loved ones sit helplessly by as I endured my season.

    I'll be thinking of your parents this night as I say my prayers.

    peace`elaine

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  13. Hi! Debbie, so sorry to hear this sad news, already been here w/my parents, they both passed 11 months apart! and about the last 7 yrs., after we put my mom in Nursing Home, my dad just went down! But God's Grace is sufficient in these stages of Life! May God grant you~Peace during this journey of your and their life! Beautiful couple!

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  14. Oh, Debbie, I had no idea about your Mom and Step Dad. Our situations are much the same. My Dad remarried 18 months ago and his wife is 79 and his present situation has thrown her for a loop for sure. Of course, my Dad's uncertain future is concerning to all of us but is something that we must lay at the feet of Jesus and trust Him for each and every day. It is one of the most difficult journey's I've ever been on but the Lord is certainly teaching me so much. My prayers are with you and may His peace surround and sustain you during this difficult time. Blessings my friend!

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!