Remembering Dad, 3 of 6

This is my third day of writing from the hospital one year ago.  We had just made the decision to move to “comfort measures.”  We now knew that death was imminent.  But death did not come quickly and so there were hours of sitting quietly with one another and simply drinking in the last hours together.

***

Dad in the Navy during the Korean War

8/28/10, 3:30pm

Hello Friends,

Yesterday evening, they moved him out of ICU. You move to a normal room when “comfort measures” are taken. And this does make sense since no heroic measures will be given.

In addition to the move, they also removed nearly all the monitors. Right now, he only has oxygen, a nasal tube, and a morphine drip. Yes, the pain did finally come and so he is on a slow drip of morphine. But the good news is that at times, I’m still conversing with yes and no answers.

I started the morning by giving him a shave and a face cleaning with a warm rag. He seemed to enjoy this. I had the strangest image come to mind yesterday and again today as I was cleaning him. Here I am taking the stubble from his face and the sleep from his eyes. Almost like I’m getting him ready for a big date or a special wedding. The body is winding down, yet there is the preparation for the step from one life to the next. The Bible describes it as a reunion with loved ones and a wedding with the Son of God.

At first today, he just had a vacant stare. I was not sure that he could hear me. But as the day has worn on, I have received responses and one-word answers. For instance, he has said Yes to ice water on a sponge. He has said that he was “hot,” and so we began cold compresses on the forehead. And he also said at one point that the pain was increasing. I could partially tell this from his clenched fist. With that we ordered a bit more pain meds.

I have also read to him today e-mails from his siblings. He has heard every word and even responded, “That is so nice.” A member from church came and greeted us and prayed outside the room. These were all good things.

He is running a temperature today. The surgeon yesterday said that his there was some sort of infection in his blood. They believe it is from the intestine that is becoming compromised.

I was commenting to a friend today what a durable machine God has created. Nothing short of amazing how much a body can keep fighting.

So I remain today touching him, speaking softly to him, and wanting to give as much human comfort as possible as the season of his life comes to a close.

Looking heavenward,

Brian

 Revelation 19:7-8

Let us rejoice and be glad

and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready.

Fine linen, bright and clean,

was given her to wear.”