The Power of Prayer

Everyone in the family is very present to our father and thank all of you for your prayers. We have a daily goal each day to balance his medications, his comfort level, and his ability to be able to communicate with all of us. He continually speaks of love and how much he loves all of us and you. We respond with words of love and let him know it is okay to let go. Our mother has been a true saint in all these moments, patiently feeding him what he is still able to eat and celebrating with him their 55 years of marriage. We have prayed to Blessed Kateri Tekawitha throughout these days placing a relic of her on his bedside and praying the prayer for her canonization. We ask Blessed Kateri for a complete miracle for dad and if not, a very peaceful death filled with visions of the angels and saints. Our father has spoken several times that he knows that our brother, Albert, who died of leukemia, is waiting for him on the other side of life. We are blessed that we can continue to have some very beautiful communication with dad and we are aware that this may soon end. It teaches us to value life one moment at a time and it is a lesson to all of us what is most important about life: the gift to love. To love and to be loved, that is why we have each come to the planet. We thank our father for giving this gift to us! Father Alexander

Waiting On An Angel

Music has carried me through many tough times in my life. It is one of the few things that I could never live without. I perceive it as God's way of speaking to me. I came across this song about a year ago and it instantly touched me. As I listen to it now, I think of my dad and find comfort. I would like to share it with you....

Life is a Roller Coaster Ride

Each day seems to run into each other. I have to take a second to remind myself what date and day of the week it is. Life is precious and every moment with dad is a moment that I will cherish. For us, time passes with a knowledge of what we are doing and accomplishing for the day, but for dad it is far different. He continually asks what day and time it is. He speaks of many different people who he has met during his life... some of them I am familiar with and some whom I have never met or remember, many have passed on but some are still with us. As he talks to them and of them, I wish I can be in that world where he drifts off to. He smiles often as he speaks of them and sometimes cries. It has been a whole new experience for me, some of it very painful and some give me a feeling of awe.

Mom continues to work through the realization of what the future will be. I have seen her and dad share gentle moments of love and understanding and also the painful moments as they realize that their time together is limited. It breaks my heart!! I am torn with a desire to pray for an end to his emotional and physical suffering but I also pray for more time with him. This roller coaster ride is wearing on all of us.... where will it take us and for how long? God has his plan and we are along for the ride. The ride continues...........

Keeping Us Smiling

As all of you know, our father has always had a wonderful sense of humor. We have heard him tell the same jokes for decades. As he faces the challenges and physical pain that come with the process of death and dying, he continues to keep us all smiling. This evening he took a wash cloth and placed it over his face to make us laugh. There is no doubt that the angels are with him. We have been praying to Blessed Kateri Tekawitha for a miracle or a peaceful death. A relic of Blessed Kateri has touched dad's hands so that he may have all the blessings he deserves at this time. We are privileged to have him one more day in our life and he is helping us to see the truth of what it means to live in the present moment. Thank you to all of you once again for your prayers and good wishes. They are helping us and our mother to walk this journey with our dad. May you all be blessed for your kindness to us. Please pray for dad that he will sleep well since the medications can make him restless..... Father Alexander

Our Father's Courage

Our father continues to be comfortable at home and the hospice nurses were terrific in teaching us how to monitor his medications and comfort level. He is grateful for all your prayers as we are too. We are also grateful that we have had a father who exemplifies the life of a simple man who is now ready to go back to God. We have been praying to Blessed Kateri Tekawitha for a miracle and if not a miracle that dad will rest in the arms of the angels as he goes to be united with his creator. Dad is very much ready for the moment of death and he has shown all of us how to face death without fear for our loving God is there to carry us into the next life. Dad is still able to speak with us but we do not know how long this will be available for us so we are enjoying all the moments that we do have with him. It makes us all realize both the beauty and the fragility of life. Please keep our mother in your prayers, Therese Lewis, as she walks through this moment with our father. God bless you all! Father Alexander and Family

Dad Is Home!!!

Dad is home now... he is declining faster than anyone anticipated. The doctors seem stunned and I hope a little guilty seeing the condition that dad is now in. Yesterday was a long tough day for all of us and we are bracing ourselves for the tough days ahead.
I arranged for hospice to assist us. Alexander has a friend who is a nurse and she is guiding us through the use of all the medications. She has been a blessing!!
Dad is having a difficult time eating and breathing. The paralysis has caused many complications and it is just a matter of time. He was extremely happy to be home in his own house with family surrounding him. Mom is hanging in there... she was hoping to have more time with him. She is dealing with the situation as best as she can and has all of us to help her through.
The family needs this quiet time with him. We appreciate your prayers and well wishes and I will definitely keep you all posted on dad's condition. Much love... Mary

The Unknown

It has been over 48 hours since dad became paralyzed and the doctors have pretty much informed us that he will never walk again. I am stunned by all that has transpired within the past two days and I can only imagine what dad is feeling and can't even comprehend what may be going through his mind. It all seems so surreal.
Dad's radiation oncologist will attempt one last effort to help ease the pressure on his spine by giving him 3 intense doses of radiation that will be concentrated on the tumor located around his thoracic spine. Each dose is equivalent to 5 regular ones. We are hoping that it may give him feeling in his legs even if it is temporary. Even if this treatment works, unfortunately dad will be back in this same situation sooner or later. The tumors are aggressive and it is just a matter of time.
We are currently working on his home care situation. Mom does not have the capability to take care of him and his needs. We are fighting (and I mean fighting... the hospital would love it if they could have discharge him today) to keep him in the hospital for as long as possible. We have talked with hospice, social services and the doctors, and have found that the options that his insurance will cover are very limited. The plan now is to have dad move in with us and have hospice provide what is needed. They do not provide personal care but do supply any medication, equipment, and supplies we will need. It will be up to us and the family to keep him clean, comfortable, and to take care of his personal needs.
We do not know how much time dad has with us and are doing the best we can to prepare for whatever life brings. He is in constant pain and experiences many side effects from medication. We thank you all for the offers to help in any way but at this point in time, there is nothing anyone can do. All we ask is that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I will try to keep you posted daily. God bless you all with good health... Mary