Prayer Requests

[honeychile]

Originally posted by emleepc
So now we've found out that she doesn't have AML, but CLL....chronic lymphsetic (sp?) leukemia......so after preparing ourselves for the worst, we find out she doesn't have a terminal illness. So that was kinda difficult to deal with too.

She has congestive heart failure, also, and a string of other problems, that are going to cause her to be placed in a nursing home. She will hate it, but I know that is the best thing for her. We can't take care of her without serious medical help.

Please keep the family in your prayers, while we make some decisions about what to do.
Thanks sisters.

Talk to the person in the Social Services Dept of her hospital who's in charge of her case (most people don't realize that everyone is assigned one upon admission). He/She will give you a list of options.

If she currently lives alone, she can be assessed to see if she needs in home care, on an hourly basis, or with a live-in companion. If she needs blood work done, the hospital may provide a nurses aide who will come in maybe once or twice a week; same with a bath aide. Your grandmother may need as little as medication & someone alert to make sure she's okay, or much, much more. If you do go the home health route, take utilities & meals into consideration. If your grandmother doesn't like the persons you've hired and you're using a reputable agency, ask them for a change.

If you decide for her to go to a nursing home, be sure to ask the aide to patient ratio. If it's more than 15, ask why, because that's NOT good. Make sure that there's both an Lpn and an RN on duty ALL the time - many homes do not. Ask for a price list for laundry, food (in the dining hall or delivered to her room), hair care, etc - some charge extra, and some don't (most do). Look for cleanliness, politeness in ALL the personnel, and a locking locker. Call your state nursing home licensing inspector and see what they say - any hesitation is a HUGE clue!

Stupid but sensible hint: advise your grandmother to either put away her very valuable items, or, if she plans to leave them to someone in particular, go ahead and give them. Aides who have passed several background checks may still be tempted, or worse, think that they're under scrutiny and walk out.

I could go on and on, as this is what I do for a living, but I'll keep it short. If you have more questions, please let me know.

I'm so glad to hear that your grandmother's in better shape than you originally thought!

[emleepc]

Thanks honey, I'll pass along the info.....

[emleepc]

Ya'll, this is so frustrating. My grandmother's diagnosis has changed back to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This case has evidently baffled the doctors. The Hematologist has consulted with his colleagues, and others at UAB Hospital, and no one has seen a case like hers. My mom and her brother and SIL are meeting with a social worker as I type this, so hopefully, we'll figure out what to do.

Thanks for the prayers!

[emleepc]

So my grandmother came home from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon late. I know she doesn't have a lot of time left, but I'm just glad that she's at home, where she wants to be.

On the other hand, my Dad spent last night in the hospital----they are still running tests this morning......they have now ruled out any heart problems, he just has to follow up with a doctor, take some aspirin, and some OTC acid reducer......

I'm so relieved. I was having a rough time of it.

Thanks for the prayers, sisters.

Edited to update Dad's condition

[TN-TX ADPi]

Please keep most of the southeast and central states in your prayers. Lots of tornadoes and massive storms hit late yesterday afternoon, including my parents' and grandmother's homes. Thankfully, noone was injured and damage is not too severe. I had to chuckle, though- I called to check, and it had just ended apparantly, because my mom and dad were still huddled in the hallway wearing their motorcycle helmets!! Which is very smart, but funny to picture my parents sitting in the hall with helmets on. I had to lighten the mood- I'm 800 miles away and desperately want to go home to check on things, but can't. Thanks ladies!

[ASUADPi]

I'm sick again.

I think it is a sinus infection, but I'm not sure. My throat hurts, my voice is gone and I've got drainage. I feel icky (although not bad enough to the point to stay home from work)

I've got so much going on with work that is stressing me out (which doesn't help the situation does it?)

So if y'all could send "warm vibes" my way that would be great

[polarpi]

TN-TX ADPi, I'll definitely be thinking of those in the southeastern and central states - I've got a lot of family and friends in the Midwest, myself, so I'm always thinking about them and hoping all goes well for them.

Bri, I hope you get through it soon - I've been feeling pretty much the same way (although thankfully I haven't lost my voice at this point!) for the past few days

If you all could keep my "other mom"'s dad in your prayers - from what my mom told me, the dad suffered a major stroke yesterday and is (or seems to be) in a coma-like state. Unfortunately, the dad's brother passed away two or three days ago, so the dad told his daughter that he feels like it's his time to go (this is also the family friend who is suffering from pancreatic cancer and doesn't know how much longer she'll be here, either). It's so tough to be so close (4 hour drive), yet not be able to get up to be with her at this tough time.

[ASUADPi]

My grandpa and grandma's 65 wedding anniversery would have been tomorrow if my grandma hadn't died. Please keep my grandpa in your thoughts tomorrow. I know it will be a rough day for him. I'm sure it will be tough for my dad and aunt too.
Although I think with the holidays coming up I think it is going to be rough for all of us in general.

[EXiADPi]

Well my grandpa died Tuesday afternoon. I don't know how long he was sick since everything with him was a big secret. He lived a long life and now he is gone. I was not close to him but it still hurts so I guess my prayer request would be that everything in my family goes smoothly for the rest of the holidays.

A happy prayer request would be that my screening interview goes well next wednesday and I get a job in a school district close to ASUADPI since we have about 30-40 miles separating us right now.

[ASUADPi]

(((((Carrie))))))

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!! I have a feeling everything will work out. Let me know okay?



I'm so sorry about your grandfather. If you need to talk please don't hesitate.

[honeychile]

I thought I had posted this, but it seems that I didn't. My godson's father passed away on Wednesday. I had spoken to his mother earlier in the day, and she told me that her husband (I'll call him Andy) had been transferred to the hospice wing of their local hospital the Monday before. She was my MOH. I'm trying to use a little discretion; the reason will be obvious.

This has been such a struggle, such a travesty. He had gone to work for (major airlines) 9 years ago last year, and had to get a "full physical". Since he was 42 at the time, he was surprised when they didn't do a prostate exam, something that every man should have once they're 40. He asked why not, and was told it wasn't necessary. This (major airlines) kept him at 38 1/2 hours a week, so that he was ineligible for medical or other insurance or pension plans. He talked to MOH and they decided that, with three kids, MOH being so much younger than he, and his passing a full physical, to just insure the children - their state asks that you pay X amount, and they will take it from there.

Fast forward to last year, when the pain Andy was constantly in was finally unbearable, and he went to a doctor. He had full-blown prostate cancer, and had had it for OVER ten years! That means that, had the "complete physical" been complete, they may have caught it in time. He was given six months to live (he beat the odds!), so MOH home schooled the kids, so they could spend as much time with him as possible. By Monday, he had fallen so many times that the paramedics were permitted to refuse to come to "just pick him up", and that's when he went into the hospice. He died on Wednesday.

MOH and the children are all thrilled that they had the chance to be with him as much as they could, and are sure that they know where he is. They had all been in therapy for the past six months to prepare themselves for the inevitable - their church has been fantastic in paying for the therapy and helping them with rent and food. The kids have never had a real Christmas; there was always just a family present. I wanted to give their names to a charity, but MOH didn't give her permission.

His family is rich scum - actually, lower than scum. His sister is living with a kiddie-porn producer, and wanted to take pictures of MOH's children! MOH refused, and explained to the kids what was up, not to be alone with Aunt Q. His mother condones it, as "You need to make money somehow!" There already was one kidnap attempt. These children are 13, 11, & (my godson) 9 years old.

They all need some very real prayer - to handle the obvious death issues, and to avoid Andy's family at all costs. Please, even if it's a simple, one time prayer for their sanity & safety, please pray for them. Please pray that MOH can hold her own during this, that she knows whether or not she should try to sue, and that I know if I'm to go out to be there for her (her sisters & father are already there).

I just found out about this minutes before posting, and am so frightened for them. I'm sure that there's more that they need prayer for (like a house when they move back here!), but I'm not sure what. I just know that I love this family, that they're so committed to each other, and that they need serious prayer!!

I can't thank you enough for even considering it. Bless you all!

[BBelleADPi]

I'm praying, praying, praying.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by BBelleADPi
I'm praying, praying, praying.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

I talked to MOH yesterday, and due to some circumstances, she can't move for a few months. I so wish she & the kids were coming home with the rest of her family over the weekend!

[honeychile]

I'm sorry to keep asking for prayer, but...

My favorite (and only remaining) uncle has been ill for months, and they can't seem to find the root of his problems. The hospital he goes to doesn't help; the second-to-the-last time he was there, they were feeding him by tube, and the tube gave him the equivilant of a yeast infection in his throat! He has not been able to eat properly since.

My uncle is 6'3" tall, now weighs 110# and today, his best friend died. He is my mother's eldest brother, and my mother is completely beside herself (they're the only two of five left). He has a doctor's appointment tomorrow, and we're praying that THIS doctor will have an answer, and that my uncle will bounce back. Thank you, thank you for any and all prayers - even those quick "please bless him" ones!

[honeychile]

This isn't a request, but it seemed to be the appropriate place to put this.

I don't know you, but I got chills! I can only imagine that you will, too!