We haven’t seen one of the girls for a while. I took this picture the day I heard about Joe. Pippa became my comfort doll for the day.
I don’t have a lot to share because I’ve been focused on Joe. There is still no update as to his condition. I went on the text chain and asked about it yesterday morning. Maybe because of that, the communication between members of the chain is better. We’ve introduced ourselves to each other. Several of the members are part of his current church family. One is from the church he used to serve outside of Philadelphia (we met each other years ago.) One is Jan’s dear friend, Carol. His friend from Philadelphia started a second text chain that included Carol and me – perhaps because we’re not people from the church, but in our case, are longtime friends of Joe. Suzy has known him for over 30 years, Carol has known him for over 30 years, and I’ve known him for about 46 years.
That was helpful because I didn’t feel there was a lot of space for us to ask questions on the other chain. Carmel, Joe’s associate at the church, is overwhelmed, I think. Joe does have a niece and she and her husband are in Grand Rapids with him.
But the three of us came to the conclusion that they simply don’t know anything. No information is being withheld. I would presume he’s not conscious and is still on some sort of life support, whether it’s the ECMO machine or something else. It helped me a great deal to chat with these two lovely women throughout the morning yesterday.
Don is there for me when I need to talk about the whole thing, thank God.
But it’s a waiting game right now and frankly, it doesn’t look good.
I did grab some time to do a bit more painting in the hallway areas of the Beacon Hill. It kept me busy.
Don’s big birthday is next week and I’m going to do a little oil painting for him as one of his gifts. I’ll have to say that I’m working on the dollhouse when I’m actually painting a picture of the shed in wintertime.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
may it be a case of “no news is good news”, that things are at least stable and hopefully improving for your friend joe.
still, it’s so hard, painful to wait for updates and feel powerless when a loved one is facing trouble. i’m glad you have enjoyable things to do as you want, and that don is there with you.
and i’m glad there’s another group set-up for messaging (sounds like it might be more comfortable for you). i hope you get an update soon and that it’s a very good one.
my prayers continue for joe, you, don and everyone else. take care. stay safe.
kathy
No, if that was the case, they would have told us that because that would mean he was improving.
No update as of 5 pm and I’m very frustrated.
Thanks so much, Kathy
Stay safe.
I’m glad you’re connected with the text chain. That’s probably easier for everyone and will help. Prayers keep coming. I’m glad you have Don.
And happy birthday to him, if I don’t get around much next week. It’s a busy time — packing, traveling north and resettling. He will love your gift!
Well, I’m not too happy with that gift at the moment. I need to paint more often. I’m rusty.
Enjoy your trip back up to the cottage, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
I am so sorry about your friend Joe. I wish him peace. You also. A good friend of mine is on Hospice so i understand a little bit.
I look forward to the big birthday celebration. I know it is a cliche but every year is a gift.
Is Don going to be 75?
Yes, he’s going to be 75. This number is real hard for him,
Thanks, Kay.
Stay safe.
No words. Just know you and Joe are held close in my thoughts.
Thank you so much, Roxie.
Stay safe.
Dear Claudia,
I am sorry you are unable to be with Joe at his time. Being far away and not knowing what is “going on” is such a powerless feeling. It is very hard to endure with “patience”. I hope you hear news soon, and I hope for “good” news the most. Knowing that he is surrounded with caring friends is a blessing. My thoughts are with you all in this difficult time. Take care of yourself too.
Thank you, Betsy.
Stay safe.
Oh, and I meant to add that your “support staff” (Pippa in this case) look to be very good at comforting…. her heart is in her eyes and she really cares how you are feeling.
Aw, thank you, Betsy!
xo
Claudia I don’t know if you have heard anything or not yet. I just wanted to share our experience. My brother-in-law had a surgery a year ago. He is 73. Things went bad during the surgery and he was on an ECMO machine during the surgery. They did CPR on him for 30 minutes and brought him back. They still could not take him off of the machine. We thought that was the end. They slowly tried to wean him off of the machine which was successful. Brain scan showed no damage. A year later, he is doing well but has to be on oxygen. I know how scared you must be. Miracles happen. We will keep Joe and you in our prayers.
Thank you, Deb.
It’s very worrying and I appreciate you sharing your experience.
Stay safe.