From Christy's View

Hello everyone,

Saturday night went alright for dad, he got up about 3 times but his pain was good. His body jerks alot from the Fentanyl patches and lately his hands have been moving like he's reaching for something or pointing at something. He makes noises & facial expressions like he's having a bad dream. So he slept, but I call it a fitful rest. Sunday morning, he woke up & said he was so tired and that he just wanted to sleep. Mom was planning to go to Mass, but dad got very emotional (he was so tired) and mom decided to stay home. Mike left to Santa Barbara to teach Mon-Thurs, then he'll come back down. And Dad had an emotional good-bye with his youngest son. Dad asked for quiet in the house & please no visitors today - which is very unusual for him. I thought I would try some Ativan which is a sedative & treats anxiety so dad could get some really relaxing sleep. It worked really well... too well & he slept from 10am to 8pm. I mean slept. He would wake up a little when we made him but was only alert for less than a minute. We had him sit on the side of the bed every once in awhile, but he could barely hold himself there & we would have him turn in bed periodically because sometimes his back hurts him. He was definitely less fidgety, but I will use 1/2 dose next time.

Even though dad said no visitors a couple people dropped in, but honestly he didn't even hardly know. We sit in the living room whispering, and it's nice for mom to have some distraction on these long days. Tante Betty & Uncle Bert came for coffee after Mass, then Marisca & Richard brought mom a cell phone they got for her. Richard had programmed all her most-used phone numbers and gave her a very basic lesson. I had to take a picture. Richard Scalco visited & Tante Gitta Van der Byl also stopped by. In the afternoon, mom went to 5:30 Mass and then came home & had dinner with John & me.

Mom slept with him Sunday night and was amazed at how totally the drug seemed to wear off once it did. He got up several times through the night & was alert & steady on his feet. Monday morning he sat in a chair for 20 minutes & then went back to bed. I was disappointed that he didn't feel extra rested from his Sunday hibernation. His feet are usually cold so we heat up his favorite pittzak when he asks. Mom just put him back to bed & now she's going for her morning walk for about 30minutes.

Tony comes back from Idaho today. Mom likes having someone beside herself to cook for but she has to be careful in her choices because sometimes the smells from the kitchen can make dad nauseous. Dad still has the IV feeding on every other day & can only tolerate sips of water or gatorade.

We're just taking it day by day now. Honestly, I didn't think he'd still be here with us, but his heart is strong & his will is stronger. We are in awe & give God thanks everyday for his pain being under control. Our prayer focus has been that he have a blessed, peaceful transition hopefully from sleep to His Father. Mom was wondering what it will be like for him when gets there in God's presence & gets to see his brother, mother, father & other loved ones. Bittersweet at best for us, but glorious for him.

Please continue in your prayers, I know they are making a difference. Also pray for restful sleep & that his dreams may be sweet - of people he loves & things of heaven. We appreciate all your support, thanks for holding us up in this hard time.
Lots of love,
Christy Woolsey