DH dying-need prayers

Specialties Hospice

Published

I've posted before about my husband being terminally ill and complications that have come up, but this is the worst it has every been. Currently in ICU with ARDS and sepsis, placed on dialysis yesterday. On a vent, paralytic, the whole works.

Miraculously he has been showing signs of improvement. CXR went from a complete white out to having distinguishable upper lobes, heart, ET. That was amazing. Has been running a PEEP of 20. Went in this morning to a stunned looking pulmonologist telling me that the lungs are regaining some elasticity so they got the PEEP down to 8. (PTL!)

I have been glued to his bedside but am home tonight as I had nobody to take care of our 5 year old. Besides she is desperate for some mommy time and vice versa. I was actually sleeping peacefully and his brother called and woke me up. Couldn't go back to sleep and felt God telling me to get on here and get as many prayers as possible going so that dh can get over the hump. My brother in law is an atheist but I continue to witness to him about God in my life and God's ability to heal if it is in his will.

Please, all you that can pray, please help me out on this one. His name is Dan and I love him more than anything. He had not made a decision for the Lord before he was intubated so that is a big reason for wanting him to wake up and have one more chance.

Thanks in advance to all. You guys are wonderful support.

FYI...the offending family member just called to "profoundly apologize for being pissy" with me and to let me know that everything was perfect and could not have been any better. That makes me feel a lot better.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

Joey, Please know that Dan is in heaven with the Lord and with his family members, that love him, that have passed before. God is love. There is the crucifixon story, the thief on the cross realizes Jesus's innocence compared to his own guilt and believes he justly deserves death; the response by Jesus is that he says to the thief "Today you will be with me in paradise".

I don't believe for one second that our loving Father would ever turn away anyone with a good heart. I don't know what religion you are but in my church this is what we believe. Believing in God is absolutely enough.

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Hi everybody. Just checking in to let you know I'm still alive. It's been 3 weeks now. I'm resuming my hospice volunteer work tomorrow. 12 days til I take my boards. Still hating these gen ed classes I'm doing while waiting to see if I'm accepted for the RN program. Trying to clean house and start getting rid of things. That's hard. I did manage to throw out 5 urinals (he peed a lot!). Just kinda get stuck sometimes because our house is just full of memories of Dan. I'm really lonely.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.

It's normal to feel that way. But, don't worry, it too shall pass. And you are NOT alone. You have God and JoEllen. There are many people who are still praying for you and keeping you in their thoughts. Remember, you can get in touch with any of us if you need to. God bless you and keep fighting the good fight. God is Almighty. Praise Him.

Mave.

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Hi everybody. Just checking in to let you know I'm still alive. It's been 3 weeks now. I'm resuming my hospice volunteer work tomorrow. 12 days til I take my boards. Still hating these gen ed classes I'm doing while waiting to see if I'm accepted for the RN program. Trying to clean house and start getting rid of things. That's hard. I did manage to throw out 5 urinals (he peed a lot!). Just kinda get stuck sometimes because our house is just full of memories of Dan. I'm really lonely.

hello sweetness, :kiss

every day i look for updates from you. and i think of you often. i know i've said it before, but you never cease to amaze me with your courage and fortitude.

i think you will positively shine in volunteering with hospice. you have soooo much to offer and the patients will be blessed with your presence.

what i would like to see you do, is try some therapy, even if it is short term. perhaps an antidepressant will be recommended. but you have done so much by yourself and you deserve to ease any and all burdens by sharing it with a professional....someone who's in a position and who has the resources to really help you through this. just consider it, will you joey? and remember, even on your lowest days, God will never give you more than you can handle. i talk to Him constantly throughout the day, every single day. and no matter how challenging life can be, i always thank God for being there, and never question His will. no matter how sad i felt from your post, it was wonderful hearing from you. do make an effort to be kind to yourself; get some therapy and let me know how you like hospice. i think you'll find it most rewarding.

your friend always,

leslie xo

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Specializes in LTC, Other.

My heart and prayers go out to you and your family in your time of need. Keep your chin up and your faith strong god will do what is best for all of you.

Brenda

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Joey,

Thanks for the update. I think of you often. You are not alone - you are in all our hearts and we are all with you. I sure wish I could be there in person to help, but you are doing an outstanding job. Just keep keeping on as they say and you will eventually get where you need to be. Please keep updating us - we really appreciate it.

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Happy to hear you're still hanging in there! :icon_hug:

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sorry to hear that i will keep him in my prayers and your family

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Checking in...Just got back from our first counseling appointment. Things went well, will see her weekly for a while.

Returned to my hospice volunteer work. I had a good rapport with my patient before, but he really opened up this visit. He has many fears related to "when". Like Dan, he has already exceeded the time limit that the doctor's imposed on him. I feel like we had a very productive talk this visit.

Other good news, I have my first job interview scheduled for this Friday at an outpatient surgical center. I have to have a day job with no/limited weekends because of JoEllen. Maybe this is the perfect job for me???

Boards are one week from tomorrow...

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.
Checking in...Just got back from our first counseling appointment. Things went well, will see her weekly for a while.

Returned to my hospice volunteer work. I had a good rapport with my patient before, but he really opened up this visit. He has many fears related to "when". Like Dan, he has already exceeded the time limit that the doctor's imposed on him. I feel like we had a very productive talk this visit.

Other good news, I have my first job interview scheduled for this Friday at an outpatient surgical center. I have to have a day job with no/limited weekends because of JoEllen. Maybe this is the perfect job for me???

Boards are one week from tomorrow...

Dear Nurse Joey:

Sounds like you are doing exceptionally well considering all that has happened. In many ways your hospice work may be a vehicle for you to work through some of the process that is yet ahead. It is a journey, isn't it?

I am convinced of one thing: that God is with you and will never forsake you.

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Joey, I'm glad to hear that you're doing allright, considering the circumstances.

Good luck with your boards and the job interview.

Bye, Michiel

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