Vicki and I experienced a very difficult night last night. However, for the first time in 24 hours she now appears to be sleeping comfortably. I urgently need help - please read through to the end.
Vicki is suffering from a condition called hepatic encephalopathy which affects people with decreased liver function due to cirrhosis of the liver. She began showing noticeable symptoms of this condition last week and has since wavered between various degrees of confusion and disorientation.
Last night the condition grew progressively more severe. She remained awake nearly the entire night, moving from one floor of the house to the other, engaging in a variety of unusual behaviors. Throughout the night I followed her around the house to be sure she did not hurt herself or do anything that might endanger the house and/or family. As a result, I have also had little sleep in the past two days. And, I certainly cannot leave the house without Vicki remaining under the constant supervision of an adult.
Vicki spends a great deal of her time in bed, usually sitting up to take pressure off of her abdomen. At times she is reponsive and alert and at other times she appears to be asleep or semi-conscious. She labors hard to breathe, which I suspect is a result of the fluid building up in her abdomen and pressuring the other internal organs such as her lungs. The cancer has also spread to her lungs so she may be experiencing some additional difficulty as a result.
I do not really know how much longer Vicki will live. I don't know if she can recover a bit from this latest series of complications. But, when I look at her and see how she is suffering I find it hard to imagine that she can survive for much longer. We will discuss all of these issues with Dr. Marshall when we meet with him later today.
Many of our friends and neighbors have helped us in a variety of ways for the past three years. I thank you on behalf of our whole family for all of the help and support. Now, during this very difficult period I ask for even more help. I am in urgent need people who can come to the house to help me. I need help watching over Vicki. I need help getting the girls ready for the start of school. I need help preparing for the end of Vicki's life.
5 comments:
Paul,
I am off this entire week and willing to do anything I can to help. I have daycare kids next week Mon-Wed but can come antime during the evenings and of course anytime on Thurs-Fri. I will cook, clean help with the girls etc....please tell me when you need me and I will be there. In my thoughts and prayers, Gin Rains
Paul,
Carrie and I are willing to help out. Carrie can shop with or for the girls Friday through Labor Day. (Or take them to Open House, etc.) Will have to ask boss about getting Thursday off. Randy is willing to take off days or stay at your house overnight, not sleeping, so you can sleep and then take off the day and sleep at home or if you are sleeping at home, he can stay with Vicki. Whatever combo works for you, let us know. Our prayers are with you always,
Carrie and Randy
Paul and Family,
Please let us know how we can help you. Vicki and your family have been in our thoughts continuously. Now that school has started for teachers, we are here in the evenings and can do errands, make and bring food, and be available at your house or ours any way you need us.
Beth, John, and family.
Paul, You don't know me but Mike May has included me in your emails and blogs. The true reality of Jesus and the Father's kingdom may be waiting for Vicki to see first hand! Our prayers are for the Lord's care for you and your family, seeing His incredible grace, and for His direct hand and Spirit on the entire process if this is Vicki's appointed time to finally see Jesus. My heart is with you. Warmly, Cris C. Dean
Paul,
Tonight our home bible study group focused on HOPE. After reading your Friday entry about the "depth of hopelessness and helplessness", I felt it appropriate to share one verse that seems especially relevant. I hope it gives you some hope, as it has us. Your road is more extreme than ours, but we all suffer through the pains of this world. We all need some hope. Hope is like a rope when you're stranded. It gives you a way out of your situation to a safer place. But it's only as reliable as the anchor to which it is fixed. The hope for us believers in Christ is that we may soon enter into God's presence. Vicki may beat us to it, but it is the hope of us all. The passage is in Hebrews 6:18-19 (New Living Translation) - "So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence. This confidence is like a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain of heaven into God's inner sanctuary."
We continue to pray that Vicki will be healed. It may be the ultimate healing, or a temporary one, but she will be healed. We also pray that you find renewed strength and hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ.
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