Today marked the 5th day that my dad has been more or less unconscious. He has awoken for a few minutes each day to interact non-verbally: stroking my dog's foot, smiling, blinking, nodding. He does not seem to be in any pain, which is good. My mom and I have gotten very good at being LPNs. We change him, adjust his position, clean his teeth, wash his face, apply lotion to his legs and back, do his nightly dialysis, administer meds in a way we never thought we'd have to. We can even change the sheets on the bed with him in it. The hospice nurses dropped off a suction machine yesterday and trained us on how to remove extra fluid from his mouth as he is too weak to do so on his own. My Aunt Lis and Uncle Walter and his wife Aunt Brigitte are here now as is my husband Chris and they are all helping us immensely with the endless caregiving and household chores that accumulate. 
I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all of you that have helped us along this painful and difficult path. From letting us put an extra bag in your trash can on trash day to lending us your house for overflow guests to driving to Duke to grocery shopping to baking cookies to sitting with my dad to bringing over greasy burgers and fries for one of my dad's last real meals to leaving comments of support and encouragement on this blog. You've all helped us so much and we won't ever be able to verbalize it appropriately or with enough gratitude but know that what you did and still do for us has closed the gap on how vast and overwhelming this year has been. 
Please continue to send strength to my dad. 
-Hillary
Steve and Sally
12/18/2013 06:38:10 am

Hillary,Steve just realized you had updated the blog. As we told your mom the other day, give your dad big hugs and kisses from us and let him know we think about him every day.Praying for him daily. Thanks Hillary for taking the time to update the blog,

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Marie-Jeanne
12/18/2013 09:15:16 am

Thank you, Hillary, for taking the time to update the blog..Just to let you know we are thinking of Peter and all of you every day and we would like so much to be able to help you.(After Peter posted the Willie Nelson song, I wanted to leave a comment of support on the blog, but I didn't find the words ...).We send strength to him and our love.Marie-Jeanne and Frédéric.

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Bob and Helga
12/18/2013 11:51:43 pm

Bless you all. If possible please let Peter know we are thinking of him.
This is a difficult time for all of your family and wish there was something we could do to help. You have only to let us know what we might do. Peter is such a wonderful man and has been a friend to anyone he has met in his life time. One of a kind. Helga and Bob

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Adrienne
12/19/2013 12:02:59 am

Thanks, Hillary, for updating the blog. Jess and I are thinking of all of you every day, and we're sending our love and prayers. Please give Peter and Carol a big hug from us.

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Marianne
12/19/2013 01:59:34 am

My heart breaks for all of you - I'm so glad that so many of the family are there with you - somehow at times like this there is so much strength gained - a never ending circle of love and support.

Praying.....

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Steve Van Duinen
12/19/2013 02:57:46 am

Hillary- if possible could thank your Dad so very much for telling me
about Platelet Rich Plasma. He used it to recover from his shoulder problem and it is the only thing that could do the same thing for me. I,am going to miss my medical mate and his help very much.

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Frédéric
12/20/2013 05:30:48 am

Strength to you Peter. Lots of love. Nous sommes à tes côtés. On pense très fort à toi.

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Carol
12/20/2013 10:49:47 pm

Hillary, you said it all so well. Our family is indebted to all of you for the thoughtful things you have done for us over the past year. Thanks to Chris and Hillary for the heroic support they have given us. We even have a beautiful Christmas tree up and lit, thanks to them, and we send you our best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season.

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Steve and Sally
12/21/2013 02:55:52 am

It is so hard being so far away, but know we are thinking of all of you every day.

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