Dear Praying
Friends,
We just finished one and half wonderful weeks with our sons. Last week
Jeremy came from Santa Barbara for several days for a visit and this
week Bryan was able to get five days off from the U.S. Coast Guard to
be at home with us (he's making the nine-hour drive home to Eureka as
I type this). Doug was determined to be up and around as much as possible
when they were here. He's pretty tired now but he wouldn't have had
it any other way. I am so thankful for the incredible relationship all
three of our children have with their father - something they will never
regret.
We've turned a new corner in our care for Doug. As per my husband's
request we have stopped visits to the doctor and have called on Hospice
for care. For those of you who are unfamiliar with "Hospice."
Here is a short synopsis of what they are all about: their emphasis
is on helping terminally ill patients and their families live life to
the fullest by providing comfort and relief from pain and symptoms;
services include skilled nursing care, certified home health aides,
medications, medical equipment and supplies, medical social workers,
and bereavement support. They have been great to us and we thank the
Lord for giving us a wonderful Hospice nurse who visits up to three
times a week to check up on Doug and his needs.
Please understand that Doug is not bed-bound; although slow on his feet,
he meanders around the house making us laugh at something or other.
He thoroughly enjoys short trips out of the house with family or friends.
His weekly goal is to make it to church on Sundays - sometimes that
happens and sometimes not (depending on his strength and the degree
of his pain).
About a year ago we were introduced to another family via e-mail who
are in
Christian ministry in the Midwest. This husband battles the same cancer
Doug does. Recently I received an e-mail from his wife; she encouraged
me when she wrote the following:
"2 Corinthians 5:1 'For we know that if the earthly TENT we live
in is destroyed, we have a BUILDING from God, an eternal HOUSE in heaven,
not built by human hands.' Why do we cling so tightly to our tents when
we have a house waiting for us? (Guess it's because we love our husband's
tents so much.)"
On behalf of my family: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS! They have and are
making a difference. Please pray specifically for continued pain relief
for my
husband and comfort for us and our children (Jeremy, Bryan, and Kimberly).
Daily we are overwhelmed by the encouraging e-mails and cards. This
means so
much to us. The Lord bless you.
Trusting the Lord who provides the grace needed,
Becky (for the family)
