Saturday, May 10, 2014

Hospice


My mother's dementia has been rapidly progressing since the day she was diagnosed about four years ago. We've been in Texas for three of those and have watched her go from being slightly forgetful to no longer having any idea who we are or who she is. Because she's only sixty-seven and her condition is considered early-onset Alzheimer's, it's moving more quickly than it does in older people. This is a curse and a blessing. The curse is obviously that our hearts ache for the many years we feel we're losing as she slips away, and a blessing in that, Lord willing, she won't have to suffer for years to come. Tuesday we started hospice care for Mom. They offer full-time physical and emotional care for the terminally ill and their families and are usually called in when a doctor deems that a person may have less than six months to live. 

Though the nursing home and the hospice nurses have been very kind and loving with Mom and with us, our hearts are heavy. We pray for peace, especially for Mom, but also for those who love her. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers. I am compiling a tribute to her life in pictures, so please send me anything you may have that you would like to share. I hope to post it here as soon as I have it completed.

30 comments:

  1. Sam, we love you, John, and the boys, so our hearts ache because yours do. The church in Natal is praying.

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    1. Thank you, Cris. We need those prayers and we love you all too.

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  2. Praying for everyone love you guys

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    1. Thank you, Jenna. We love you too and hope to see you this fall again.

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  3. praying for you all, Sam!

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  4. Samantha, my heart goes out to you and your family.

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  5. Thank you so much for keeping us posted with the details. Much love and many prayers for you, and family

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    1. Thanks, Dee. You've been a great encouragement to me.

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  6. prayers for your family

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    1. Paul, we certainly need those prayers. Thank you.

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  7. We are praying for you and your family. Lean on your church; that's what they are there for.

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    1. Thanks, Dana. You are as much our church as anyone and we appreciate your prayers.

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  8. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers!

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    1. Thank you, Georgia. The conference was very refreshing at just the right time. Thanks for all your hard work and effort. It was well worth it.

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  9. many blessings of the fruits of the spirit to you all.

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    1. Erin, thank you. We are blessed and we thank God for what we have and what we have had.

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  10. So very sorry to hear this. Praying for all of you

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  11. Praying for all of you. Love you!

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    1. Benay, Thank you so much for your prayers. I love you too and we all miss your family.

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  12. So sorry - praying that the love of friends will give you strength. I'll be praying.

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    1. Thank you, Mandy. We do have some good friends.

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  13. We understand what you're going through all too well. Peace to you and your family

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    1. I know many people have gone through a very similar experience. It seems everyone I know has someone in their life with dementia or Alzheimer's.

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  14. Hi Sam,
    Sorry to hear about your Mom’s declining health and especially not being that old! Will be praying for you guys and hang in there!

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    1. Thank you, Ron. I know you understand what we are going through.

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  15. Sam, I'm so sorry to hear about Liz. Hope all is a well as can be expected. I have a very good friend who's mother recently passed from Alzheimer's. She had to watch her mom deteriorate for years. It was very hard on her and her dad.

    Jim (your ex brother in law).

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    1. Wow! So sorry I just saw this comment. It is good to hear from you and I appreciate your kind words.

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