Day six

July 18^th, 2009 Day six

Dad was a little restless through the night but slept pretty well. Mom found him trying to make his way to his commode but he got tangled and twisted and couldn’t make it. Mom tried but he is just too heavy for her. She called Rob (their awesome next-door neighbor) who rushed over and helped him get on the stool.

Rob left and between dad, mom, and the hospice nurse he was back in his bed.

Nurse was a little concerned about his fluid buildup. Urine output has been minimal for last three days.

1000, Sharon, Patric, Sarah and Erin arrive to keep dad company while mom goes for some “alone” time. Nurse drains Plurex catheter and very quickly draws off 500ml. (It should take 2 to ten minutes for fluid to drain but she had a full container in less than a minute)

Not a great day but mom is hanging in there. Dad slept all day and was glad to get pain meds.

1800, Sharon and mom drained another 500ml of fluid. Doctor says to drain no more that 1000ml per day so they will go at it again tomorrow.

That much fluid in the chest cavity and no urine output is a definite sign of kidney failure approaching.

Mom needs prayer and I will focus a great deal on her. Impending death, planning death and preparing for death is all part of it but it is still death. I like the way Scripture talks about death as sleep. Jesus gives us the hope and confidence that the second our eyes close in death they will re-open in glory and in the presence of Jesus. But it is still death. Are you ready? You need to be just in case your time is near.