New update from my Mom:

Need to update before I lose this computer again!!

This last week has been full of many little surprises! The occupational therapist come out on Monday and tested Bob's swallowing ability. He did well on two tiny spoons of applesauce, but not on two other spoons, coughed a lot. So we will wait for a few days and try again. He is drinking water out of a cup, tho. James suggested that we cut a paper cup down about two thirds, so that he can hold it easily. All my cups were too heavy for him to hold. (With a little help). He also can have ice chips from a spoon four times a day. He loves it but says they are cold. He is moving his left leg from the hip quite well and just started shrugging his shoulders a little yesterday.

On Friday Hospice delivered a wheelchair and "Hoyer"---which is the sling and hoist to lift him into the chair. Jenny and Doug, Rick and a couple neighbors participated in the demonstration---it is definitely a two (or three) man job. So when Bob feels ready, we will try the wheelchair---could be a few days or longer.

He is talking more and out loud a lot more. He now smiles with both sides of his mouth except when he is tired. All in all, his progress is encouraging. He is still very fragile and tires easily. He loves company but often falls asleep in the middle of a visit. Feel free to visit every day except Tuesdays from 2:00 to 4:30, but please call first because we have found that we cannot hear the knock or doorbell with the oxygen pump, fireplace fan and sometime the TV going.

Thank all of you again for making my life easier, and all the encouraging cards, letters, prayers and holiday wishes.---Will update again, sooner, I hope. Keep praying, please!

Priscilla

Hello,

Below is an update from my Mom. Her internet has been on and off, so it has been awhile since she's been able to update. Please feel free to pass this along to friends and family to keep them in the loop. Our apologies for not responding to everyone's individual phone calls and emails - it's so much easier to just do these big updates to everyone. But we really do appreciate the support.

Thank you. May you find peace, comfort and joy during this holiday season.

Love,

Noelle

I am sorry that I have not written before this, but I have found Home Hospice the most overwhelming and demanding venture in my life. Hospice is finally realizing that Bob is not ready to leave us and is bringing the needed supplies and additional aides. Because they were told that he wouldn't live more than two or three days, I was given minimum supplies, which added to the stress.

Bob is holding up well; I see tiny improvements every day. He whispers a lot and makes sense about eighty percent of the time. He is also talking out loud a little. It is so good to hear his voice again! He is moving his legs and arms more every day. We are doing gentle physical therapy with him every day and he is responding with some resistance, which is great! He has had two massages and loves them, sleeps like a baby afterward. He has begun to swallow more and now wants to suck the water out of the mouth cleaning sponges, so after we clean the mouth, we let him suck a little. Since he is on constant oxygen, his mouth is dry. I am sure the cold water tastes good!

Bob loves company; he recognizes everyone and is able to stay awake for short periods. Because the mornings are so busy, we are limiting visiting to the afternoons. From 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm are good visiting times. Every day except Tuesdays---he has a massage on Tuesdays at 1:00 and sleeps the entire afternoon after that. Please also try to keep phone calls during the same time frame. This helps let the phone be available for health care workers to call in.

Thank you to everyone for the cards, food, prayers, emails, phone calls, visits, errands and general help. It is greatly appreciated. My refrigerator is full - so unless you want to buy me a new fridge (just kidding!) - please keep food limited to Tuesdays and Fridays. If anyone wants to volunteer to be my "food coordinator" - that would take some stress off of my plate and I'll just communicate through that one person. Please let Noelle know through email and she will confirm with you.

A special thank you to Carol Nohavec. She has done an incredible job coordinating volunteers from the church to help with different things. I'm surprised she hasn't sprouted wings by now.

Once again, thank you and please keep praying for his recovery.

Priscilla

My Mom's computer is having issues, so she hasn't been able to write another update. My Dad arrived home safely to his new hospice bed on Sunday. He is doing ok. There have been several hospice aides who have come through. My Mom is exhausted from all of the care that goes into a hospice situation.

Thank you everyone for your continued support, prayers and offers to help. My Mom will let you know when help is needed. This is definitely a stressful transitional time.

Love,

Noelle

She wrote this last night:

Bob's "peg' surgery went well. He was somewhat tired but I think he feels much better with the feeding tube out of his nose and all that tape on his face (so that he wouldn't tear the tube out) cleaned up. When I left the hospital, he was resting calmly. After 24 hours, he will be ready to leave---!!!

The hospice bed was delivered this afternoon with all the oxygen, suction pump, etc...this is going to be interesting. I was checked out on the equipment but am still a bit nervous. Thank goodness there will be a hospice attendant with me---at least at first.

It is time to go back to the hospital----will have a better update in a couple days.

Thanks again for all the prayers and good wishes.

Priscilla

Here is an update from my Mom:

Bob continues to stay about the same, at times he seems stronger, but with all the noise at the hospital, his sleep is constantly disturbed. He was very exhausted this morning, he coughed a lot last night and it was not until almost eight this morning that we could get respiratory to suction him deeply. Then he tried to sleep, but was constantly interrupted. I know the medical personnel are doing their job but it would be nice if they could all come at about the same time. I am able to suction him, but I don't dare go deeply for fear of dislodging the oxygen or feeding tubes.

He is still very weak. Physical and occupational therapy are working with him a little every day; he tires so easily. We are proceeding with the Home Hospice Care, and if all works out he should be home by Saturday. Then a new era begins.

Thank all of you for the prayers, good vibes and wishes and offers of food and help. At this time I am not home enough to eat, but there will be the time when I may need help, so you may be hearing from me!

Thank you again,
Priscilla

Hello,

My Dad continues to rest a lot. On Tuesday evening we had a scare. His airway became blocked and his blood pressure dropped to 49 over 29. We thought we would lose him. But he is resilient and bounced back once they reopened his airway and gave him some added liquids.

He has been fighting another infection. It sounds like it came from either his IV or the sore on his nose from the BiPAP mask. They are giving him antibiotics to treat that.

He is very weak and has lost a lot of muscle mass and 10 pounds since he was first admitted. At times he is more responsive than others. He can still squeeze hands most of the time and still nods to questions, although he is not as responsive as he was two days ago.

My Mom hasn't had time to write an update. She wants to be with my Dad as much as possible - and she is caring for him as only she could. I'm amazed by her strength - I know it is fueled by her deep love for my father.

United Airline Captain Molly Flannagan Littlefield, a neighbor and fellow church member, recently dedicated her flight from Chicago to Seattle to my Dad. Many of the passengers, all strangers to my Dad, wrote messages to him the airline napkins. Many signed their names with their row and seat numbers. It was amazing looking through the variety of messages from all over. As Rick said to my Mom after looking at them, "I'll never look at these airlines in the same way again." (We will scan these in and share them down the road - they are incredibly touching)

I was able to start putting together a slide show of my Dad. Many treasures have yet to be scanned in - but this is a start.
http://www.flickr.com/gp/69894039@N00/MM50VX

Your prayers, cards, emails, calls and visits are greatly appreciated. This has been an emotional roller coaster for us, as we approach one month of his hospitalization. Your support helps us feel grounded and connected to to greater community of family and friends - representing love and support. Thank you again.

Love,

Noelle

From Joseph Atak, from Sudan

HEY NOELLE,

I was caught by surprise when I was told that your dad was admitted many days in VMC intensive ward.I run there with George I called his name he open his eye to give me a signal that he recognise my voice but inside me it tore me apart.I wish I have time to talk to him,to told him how much I proud of him, for everything he did to me and for all of us,he was figure father,we prayer for him and we love him too.
with much LOVE,

Joseph

Joseph,

Thank you for your email. These last couple weeks have been very hard for me and my family. And I consider you and George part of my family too. My Dad's health has been very unstable and knowing how much energy he used to have, it is very difficult to see him in this state. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I know your presence in my Dad's life has meant a lot to him - and that my parents love you very much.

I've been gathering pictures of my Dad and wanted to share them with you. If you click on this link, you should be able to look at them. It is a work in progress - there are many that are not included yet. But I think you might find these interesting - especially the older ones!

http://www.flickr.com/gp/69894039@N00/MM50VX

With much love,

Noelle

HEY NOELLE,

Thank you so much,Noelle I really understand the pain they whole family go throught we are really with you at this time of pain and I take a look at each picture I understand the reallity of what a momory means to you at these movement and thank you for sharing your dad photos with us.

with much
LOVE