Monday Evening Update

It has been about fourteen hours since I posted this morning. What a long day it has been! Lord willing, I can recall some of what occurred today. Instead of adding to the previous post, as I thought I would, I decided write a new entry. I may get confused regarding some of the details or the order in which things occcurred.

I spent some time this morning answering e-mails, reading other blogs, and writing some letters.
Breakfast arrived after 9 due to a miscommunication about surgery.

By the time I finished breakfast, well after 10, our pastor arrived for a visit. I enjoyed hearing about his weekend retreat with his wife and another couple.

Soon after we began talking, the hospice nurse arrived. We discussed the plans to get my pain under control, stabilize my femur, and prepare for me to go home. Sometime in the midst of this discussion, my wife arrived. We continued our discussion by asking about the logistics of moving our family to the McLaughlin home once I am discharged from the hospital.

The McLaughlins have graciously offered for us to move into their home for as long as I need care. They have a first floor bedroom that would offer me much more privacy than our living/family room. Being there would mean a built-in support system for my wife and children.
My wife would have less responsibilities as far as cooking and cleaning. She would be freed to spend more time caring for my needs.

At the same time, my son has prayerfully decided to come home from West Point this weekend to stay and help his mom care for me - and to spend time with me. The officers in his chain of command have been very supportive in helping him to make this decision. The worst case scenario is that he will have to repeat the academic year. If all goes well, though, he will be able to keep up with his class and graduate with his class. While we know that he is where he needs to be, we respect his decision to come home. He is filled the same Spirit as we are. We know that he has prayed about his decision. And we never want him to regret not helping his mom or spending enough time with his dad.

My lunch arrived at about the same time the nurse brought my medication. Although it was not what I ordered, I enjoyed Salisbury steak and risotto with cranberries and pineapples. It was
actuallly quite tasty!

During all the busy-ness of people coming in and out, my wife talked with our pastor until he left.
We did manage to pray together before he did go. I felt bad that I did not get to visit with him more.

The afternoon was busier yet. It was then that the nurse inserted my catheter, and I got cleaned up for the day. There were a number of visitors, all of whom encouraged us and prayed with us.

My wife went out (for a walk) and brought back dinner. After a break in the company, we enjoyed roast beef, mashed potatoes, and carrots.

Later, our younger son arrived, along with more visitors. By 8, our visitors left and I was able to read a new book and several older books to him.

My wife and daughter left about 9, both very tired from a busy day.

It is now about 10:45. I am tired. Falling asleep at the keyboard. I need to go.