Thursday, February 18, 2016

Just the Facts

Stan Here:

When I was  kid I used to watch a show by the name of Dragnet. One of the characters was a guy by the name of Joe Friday and as he was was investigating the cases he would often say "just the facts maam." So this report has just that. They are kind of blunt but they are the facts.

Going back several days Deb had a fine weekend of being alert, with her children and grandchildren, with visitors, and moments where the quality of life returned in a good way.  Tuesday morning it was evident though that a strong decline in condition had taken place.  This was evidenced by increases in the pain, some levels of confusion, a change in color and alertness and all of the rest of the stuff that points to a decline in condition.  On Wednesday things  reached the point where I called Hospice and when the nurse arrived and the vitals and signals indicated that action was required on several fronts
Blood pressure was down to 80/60 and blood oxygen counts were down.  They brought in a oxygen machine to help with that. They changed some of the pain meds and they had a meeting with us to let us know that it was clear that the final stages of life would be experienced in a short time.

Deb's sister is here today to help with the care but Hospice encouraged me to have no other visits so that Deb could attempt to have the changes in treatments reach the point of being of being more lucid and have a few days in the future better than the ones of late.  Presently we are struggling. No other way to put it.

And those are just the facts.

Stan

19 comments:

  1. Stan, Thanks for sharing the sad facts. I keep praying better health and healing. At the same time pray for strength for you and for your family and close friends during this very difficult time. Praying also that God holds you closer than ever. Hugs, Duane

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  2. Thanks for sharing...our hearts are heavy with sadness, for Deb, for the grandchildren who are losing a wonderful grandma, for the whole family, for the friends, colleagues and all the people who have been blessed by knowing her. We are keeping you all in our thoughts, hearts and prayers. We love you.

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  3. Praying for Deb and family! It is such a difficult road and support is so important at this time. May you feel God's peace.

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  4. Praying for Deb and family! It is such a difficult road and support is so important at this time. May you feel God's peace.

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  5. Dear Stan. Thanks for your honest 'facts', Stan. Mo and I have been through this. Our hearts ache for you. May our compassionate God give you the strength, wisdom and peace as you say your final 'goodbye' to your best friend and the love of your life. Give our love to Shirley H. and the rest of the family. (A special 'hi' to Krista.) You are all in our hearts

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  6. Praying for all of you and asking God to hold you close to him and to each other right now. May it be a peaceful and pain-free journey from here. (Love to Krista from Carole H also)

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  7. Deb,
    Thanks for the time we had together this past Saturday in your kitchen with the sun streaming through.....talking about your family and your nursing career. The nursing profession was fortunate to have you. God Bless....

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  8. Stan, and family. To you Stan, who tries to be strong, and passing the facts, we so appreciate.
    We will continue praying for you, and the family. Kathy & Rich Weller

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  9. Prayers and tears for all of you. Hoping for peace, and wisdom and strength and love to be near all of you.

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  10. Prayers and tears for all of you. Hoping for peace, and wisdom and strength and love to be near all of you.

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  11. Wow, Stan, I just stumbled upon your blog through Facebook and am heartbroken to hear all that you guys have been through. We so enjoyed knowing you both at Beechwood, and Deb was our delivery nurse for Katie (now 14!) and was amazing. My heart pours out to both of you in this horrible week of decline and goodbyes, and many prayers coming your way. PS - Daniel from the bus says hello and he misses you as his bus driver.

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  12. Keeping your family close in prayer for peace that passeth all understanding. Becky McCaw and family

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  13. Thinking of your family Stan. I am so sorry you have to go though this :-(. Praying for peace and strength for you and comfort for Deb. I love you guys! Julie Reiland

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  14. You are an amazing family. I've been repeatedly impressed with Deb's strength during this unbelievably difficult challenge. Your strength Stan & Mieke in relaying to us such difficult realitvities of this journey. My heart goes out to you all. Even though I've been mostly silent & far away I've been following & delighted every time Deb met a new goal of attending a special event, seeing a new grandchild welcomed into the world or what ever she set her mind to. Deb has forever raised the bar on how to live a life well & to it's fullest. You are all in my thoughts.

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  15. I cannot begin to imagine what you are going through but I am sure your faith in God and the hereafter will pull you through this. My prayer is for a peaceful end to Deb's journey when the time comes.

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  16. Peace to you my friend, I treasure all the times we've spent together and keep them close to my heart. I've been checking your diary everyday, and sometimes twice daily to read about the battle you and your family have been going through. Know that I love you and that God will give you the peace and comfort that only He can give during this time. May God bless you and all those who are so dear to your heart.

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  17. My prayers of peace and comfort are will all of you during this very difficult time.

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  18. My prayers of peace and comfort are will all of you during this very difficult time.

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  19. Lifting all of you up in prayer. May God give you peace, strength and the assurance of his constant love. Carol DeJong

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