Jesus draw me ever nearer, as I labor through the storm, you have brought me to this passage and I follow though I'm worn...May this journey be a blessing as I rise on wings of faith...and at the end of my life's testing...with your likeness let me wake...

Twink, this is a song that our church choir sang, and it touches my heart

Dear Twinkle, here are some super huge ((( HUGGERS ))) for you. I shall add you to my personal prayer list here as well.
There seems nothing more painful for us humans here on earth, than to see a loved one suffer with the pain and progressive weakness with their battles of cancer. As things get worse and they have to give up living alone to have family care for them..yes it's quite difficult.
Seven years ago I went through it with my own father. He had had prostate cancer in remission for 6 years, then it returned as bone cancer throughout his whole body. Being I live out of state from where he and both of my older sisters live, they became the caregivers for Dad. The doctors said that chemo wasn't even a CHOICE at his age of 87, but did try a couple of sessions of radiation on his shoulder blade area.
From that point on it became as you said Twinkle, ...helping them get dressed, shower, eat, and eventually the help from Hospice.
I can't say enough about Hospice workers..they are fabulous!!! Working with such individuals and families on a day to day basis, they can almost pinpoint the time of death down to the HOUR !! It's never easy for us to let our loved ones "go on before us", but Hospice does indeed make it a LOT easier.

Several days before my Dad passed, he had what is referred to as "out of body experiences" where he was talking with God and my Mom who had passed away 2 yrs earlier, telling God to "hold the gate open for him, he's coming"..and telling my Mom "I'm on my way to be with you honey, in just a little bit". My sisters both said that THIS was the most difficult of all the months that they cared for my Dad.
Through it all twinkle, keep the faith. Know that your Dad will be a precious angel and that he will be looking down upon you and your family until the day comes that we are all gathered together again in heaven.
God comfort you with His loving arms,


Marilyn

Thinking of you and yours Twink

Your Dad sounds like a good man...he is ready for the next step.

But you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God's love be with you.

Continuing to keep your dad, you, and your family in my prayers, Twink.

Thanks everyone. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Also, all the kind messages -- I hadn't realized so many of you lost family members to cancer.

Dad has lost everything except his sense of humor. When the nurse leaned over and asked if there was anything else he needed, he smiled and looked at my brother and SIL and said, "Could you two leave?"

Rochelle i am sorry about my delay on posting, sorry about all of this, you are deep in my family's prayers. i sure wish i had magical words, all my love hope and prayers, always
frank deb and our very own basketball team

((((((Ro)))))))

These are things you will remember.

My brother was a stinker. He made me stay on his bed with him. Charged me a quarter just to go potty.

I asked him what he planned on doing with the money. He said...they lied..you can take it with you.

Continued prayers Rochelle,
And Curious..you're so right! It IS those little moments that just stick with us in the "memory bank".
A month before my Dad died, my husband & I traveled the 425 miles to be with him for his 87th birthday. He was weak, on oxygen 24/7, yet still able at that time to get from his bed to his recliner in the living room.
As we were ending a wonderful visit and about to head back home, my brother-in-law (a Baptist minister) suggested that we all hold hands and pray for us for a safe journey back home. He asked Dad if HE wanted to pray (Dad also a Baptist minister of that same church) declined, like he was too weak to do it. I stood there, holding my Dad's hand since I was first to his right. As soon as my BIL had said the Amen, Dad began with the prayer that he had spoken every evening at the dinner table. Word for word, it came out loud and strong. Needless to say, my hands were shaking!! I shall never forget that moment and memory. I bawled the first 2 hours of the ride back home as I KNEW it would be the last time I'd see Dad alive.
A month later, I received a phone call, saying to come as Dad was failing. He held on until I got there. Although he was in a med. induced coma at that time, I still know that he knew I was there as when I spoke, the eyelids lifted ever so slightly.
Rochelle, I'm not trying to bring you down hun, with all the mention of my memories...but I just wanted to share things that shall ALWAYS be a beautiful part of the thoughts of our dear loved ones lives here on earth.
God Be With You,



Marilyn

On the contrary, Marilyn, it lifts me to know about your wonderful spiritual experience. Thanks so much for sharing.


If everyone were like my Dad, we wouldn't need furnaces! He lies in there with NO COVERS!!! If I cover him with a sheet when he's asleep, he throws it off! And no, he doesn't have a fever. I think it might be because he's dehydrated?