Saturday, May 21, 2011

Not guaranteed tomorrow...

Some of you know what's going on right now... I wanted to let some others know just so prayers can be lifted up.

My Papaw & Teenie


Tuesday, my Papaw was found at the bottom of his basement stairs.

My uncle couldn't geta hold of him, went over to his house & knocked - no answer.  Called & heard the phone ringing inside with no one picking up.  He went in to find a sight that I know will forever be in his mind. 

My uncle called 911 & then my dad (his brother) & got Papaw to the hospital.  At the time the ambulance got there, they asked him his name & he said, "Thomas...I think" (which it is...he goes by Junior though).  He was even able to lift his arms to change his shirt which covered from vomit from the impact of the fall.

Every day since Tuesday, his progress has gotten less & less.... He hasnt really spoken since Wednesday, only grunts.   Yesterday, he struggled to get his eyes open only once the whole day.  He has been able to respond to commands by squeezing your hand, but that lessened yesterday as well.

We have been told he had bleeding on the brain & that his brain was swollen.  With his age (he'll be 89 in July), they say the brain shrinks which gives room for swelling, which seems good... & they said that he could be like this for awhile & time would tell us more...

... but time seems to be getting pulled out from under us....

Yesterday, we were told that his progress was declining, his body was shutting down on him & that we needed to discuss removing his feeding tube & just giving him moraphine, helping him relax until he passed away.

What happened to "time telling us more"... it hasnt even been a week.

Needless to say, we have tons of questions... not a decision you can make lightly.  A decision you definitely need peace about.

So if you all could pray for clear answers for my dad & for my uncle... for my Papaw, mainly that he isnt in pain.  My fear for him is that he is hurting so badly... or that he's trying so hard to communicate with us & its just not possible. 

All this talk going on about the rapture & the world ending & judgement day today.... my Papaw didnt know when he was going to his basement to do laundry, he'd end up in ICU with brain trauma.  Dont worry about what day the end of the world could come... because you are never guaranteed tomorrow.

...Live today for today...


19 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear about your Pawpaw. Those situations are never easy, but I'm praying for peace and clarity for you and your family.

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  2. Oh, Rebecca Jo...my eyes just teared up as I read your post and my heart just breaks for you, your family and your precious Papaw. I know what an indelible mark my "Papaw" made on my life, so I can certainly understand what you are experiencing right now.

    I join with you in praying for clear answers for your dad & uncle. And for your sweet Papaw...I pray that God would remove any pain that he might be experiencing and give him a peace which passes all understanding. His life is in the hands of the One who formed him in the womb, and only HE knows the number of your Papaw's days...not some doctor. So we place him in the hands of The Great Physician and trust His perfect plan for your Papaw.

    Praying for you, sweet friend.
    Emilie

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  3. oh rebecca, i am sooo sorry. we just lost , our dad a few weeks ago, my husbands. he was 77. he had a very rare brain disease. its so very hard to make this decision to let them go. we had to do this months ago, we let dad make that decision himself. in your case it was not possible. it is devastating when it is an accident and the burden is on the family. i am so sorry. but your pawpaw lived a full long life. i am sure if he could communicate to you he would tell you so. i assume he is a God fearing man, since you are a Christian too. i would also believe that he looks forward to his reward of being in Heaven with the Father. it is sad for those of us here on earth who remain. we are still grieving for the lose of dad. my husband and my MIL. is has literally just been weeks. i will be in special prayer for you and your family's decision. God bless you all. May His peace be with you in this, and His comfort hold you in it. xoxoxox

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  4. I am praying he is calm as he hears Jesus calling him home, and I'm praying you all feel held firmly in your grip.

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  5. My precious friend I am in tears and am certainly going to be lifting all of you up in prayers! Those are some hard decision to make and such an uncertain time about what your Pawpaw is feeling. Praying for peace, comfort, guidance & the knowledge that God is holding all of you through each & every minute of this. Love you RJ!

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  6. Bless your heart...You are in my prayers. Not just you but your whole family. Praying God wraps His wonderful loving arms around you and your family.

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  7. I am so sorry to read this and I am praying for you and your family today. Very tough decisions to make...never easy. I am praying for peace as you do.

    ((hugs))

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  8. Oh no! =( I'm so sorry to hear about this! How awful! My prayers are certainly going out to your Pawpaw and you and your whole family!! {{{HUGS}}}

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  9. Hi Rebecca! I am so sorry to hear about your Papaw. I know all too well how hard it is to see your grandparents sick and in the hospital.

    My grandma too is very sick. She was in the hospital for two weeks and is now home because there's nothing more than can do for her there. She has rectal cancer and is SO weak that there's nothing they can do treat it until she gains strength. She is basically refusing to eat. It's so hard to see her deteriorate!

    I am praying for Papaw and your family! I love what you wrote about living for today!! SO TRUE!!!

    Hugs!!!

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  10. Rebecca...this just breaks my heart. I can't tell you how sorry I am about what has happened. You KNOW that I will lift your Papaw and your entire family up in my prayers. Always remember that God is with you all and He will NEVER forsake you! I know all too well how hard this kind of situation is, so my heart aches for you. You are so right, my friend...never take a single day we've been given for granted because you just never know what tomorrow holds. Sending you love and big hugs across the miles!

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  11. OH dear one, how my heart is breaking for your family. I feel so bad for you.

    Your last paragraph was so powerful and very well said friend.

    Love you so ~~ Dawn

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  12. Oh Friend...I am so sorry...

    I just said a prayer and will continue to pray.

    May you feel the Lord's arms around you even now as all of you strive to make the right decisions.

    Hugs, my friend. Wish I could do more.

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  13. I am so sorry about your grandfather.
    The same thing happened to my dad
    back in September. Except he couldn't move anything, because the fall crushed his neck. My dad didn't want anything done, he had a DNR order on file. Since he was able to talk, he told the doctor and the family that he wanted to go to Hospice Care.
    Please know that you are in my prayers. Prayers for peace for your grandfather.
    Dianne @
    http://buterflydreamz.blogspot.com/

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  14. So sorry to hear about your papaw. Will keep your family in my prayers.

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  15. Sorry about your pawpaw but 89 years is a good lifetime. So true, we just never know when our last day will be. We have to enjoy each moment God gives us and live a day at a time.

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  16. This has been such a difficult week for so many people close to me. Several of my dear friend's loved ones passed away or have been given poor prognoses of cancer and such. I'm sorry your family is experiencing such a difficult time as well. I will pray for God's will in this and that regardless of what happens Pawpaw will be without pain and at peace. Sending you love and hugs!

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  17. I'm so sorry to hear this. I am praying for your family.

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  18. OH RJ, so sorry to read this about your pawpaw. I've been away for several days since my dad is in the hospital as well. He's got acute renal failure. Such scary stuff.

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