Friday, January 14, 2011

Hospice

Yesterday, our wonderful Palliative care team found a bed for Bill here at Langley.  The transition went smoothly and we are enjoying the short walks back and forth.  Bill is able to come home at any time for short periods if he feels up to it, and it is great for him to have the opportunity to come home.

Bill is more relaxed at the Maple Hill Hospice.  He was worrying about his medications being administered here at home more than we thought.  Bill's Hydromorphone dosage has nearly doubled which is a concern for us because it makes him sleepy all the time.  He also has a hard time communicating, and finishing his sentences.  This may change as his body adjusts to the high dosages, we will have to see. For right now we are treasuring the time to be beside him, rub his back, hold his hand and talk to him for the short times he is awake.

We want to thank the many communities that have been in touch with us...Dordt College and Calvin Seminary study buddies; the Belleville, Saskatoon, Thunder Bay, Langley congregations and valued friends;  and the Surrey Christian School community who I miss dearly.  Your words of encouragement, visits, meals, calls, cards and prayers are very precious.  Thank you so much.

Dad would still like to try to keep visiting hours open from 11-12 and from 5-6 starting tomorrow at the hospice. Dad is very weak and only seldom really awake.  If dad is awake during these visiting hours, please plan just say hi for only a minute or two.

God has been so good to us and we can't thank him enough for all he has given to us including hope in abundance.    May the Lord also be with you.  Love Judy

4 comments:

  1. Thank you for making this Blog available so that we may follow along your journey with you through this difficult time. Judy, Cai and all your kids at SCS miss you very much. We are praying for all you, and are very glad to hear that you cherishing every waking minute. I have walked this journey with my 32 year old friend, and I know how trying it is for everyone. Love each other dearly, and keep cherishing every moment you have remaining. Soon this earthly journey will be over as Bill travels home to be with Jesus. Wow!! "Well done, my good and faithful servant", is what we all yearn to hear from our Lord and Savior.

    With sincere regards,
    Karin Mittet(Hoggard)and family

    ReplyDelete
  2. Judy - thank you for the update. We continue to pray for you all daily. Jacob expressed his sadness last night about missing you as his teacher. I told him I would email his thoughts to you. :) We will pray for many special moments for your family and for continued strength and peace as you walk this road.
    Sincerely, Carmen & Jacob Meier

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the update, Judy. Everyday Marc, Anneke and Johanna are checking the blog to see how things are going. Everybody sends their love. Send our regards to Bill.
    Praying for you
    Katy

    ReplyDelete
  4. God bless Bill and Judy and the whole family! My wife Trudy (nee Rozema) and myself Alan Reese were once priviledged to have Pastor Bill as our pastor at Bethel C.R.C. in Saskatoon. We are saddened to hear of Bill's serious condition but rejoice at the goodness of God even in this situation as you've shared it in the blog. We are still in Saskatoon and keep up with Jean and Andy Debeer (who shared this blog). Peace be with you!

    ReplyDelete