I haven’t been online for awhile because brother #3, Mark, is in the hospital in critical condition in ICU. He is on life support right now.
He has ( like all my brothers) Muscular Dystrophy and has always been the worse off of the lot. He is also the brother that if he didn’t have bad luck he wouldn’t have any luck at all. About every 18-24 months he gets a cold, that turns into pnumonia that lands him in the hospital and it takes him 2-3 months to recover from.
He has been in since Thursday and late Friday he went from being just sick with broncitis to full blown pnumonia to aspirating and moved up to ICU in serious condition. They had to zap his heart five times to get it to beat correctly again. His condition stablized for a while but on Monday, it was apparent that his lungs were collapsed and he needed to be vented t oxegenate him until a bronchial-something (roto-rootering his lungs, in laymens terms) could be done to see if the procedure could clear out the lungs.
The procedure was done and it was discovered his lungs are clear. His body pretty much is slowly dying and either today or tomorrow my mom will have to make the decision to pull the plug. ( Even if there was a chance at him surviving, his quality of life as he knew it would be over forever.) His is heavily medicated because of pain and to keep him comfortable. ( He also suffers from severe back pain.)
My mom wavers from being strong and preparing for what she has known will come to not one but all of her natural born children to, well, being a mom. I cannot even fathom the pain that must be in her heart. She has the backing, blessing, support of me, an aunt ( her sister) and every
family member to pull the plug. It is the only merciful thing to do. Last night I was talking to her and while she dreads doing it, I told her that maybe Mark will pass away on his own before she has to do it for him.
I am asking anyone who reads this to just say a quick prayer for a quick and painless death for Mark and for strength for my Mother and my surviving brothers ( who will probably be in the same situation sooner than later)
Oh, Shirley, I can’t imagine how much pain you must be in right now. I’m not a big one for cyber hugs, but you have my deepest sympathy and prayers for your strength. I pray that God will take away Mark’s pain, as well as yours and that of your family. May God give you strength and peace in this horrible time and hold you in his hand. And may you be surrounded by friends and family to comfort you and help you bear up. Don’t be afraid to ask people for help, either.
Shirley, I can only imagine what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family through this. I just wish I could do more than that.
Geez, what to say except I’m so very sorry. I hope that his body–and your family’s minds and hearts–know some peace as you wait for the end, however it comes.
Oh Shirley; to a degree I know how you feel, having lost my brother to melanoma last January. Our prayers turned from healing to desiring an easy death for him. Our prayers were answered. I thank God I was able to spend some time with him while he was still lucid.
I am so sorry. You and your family are in my prayers. If there is any way I can help, please let me know.
My heart is heavy, and I have some idea of what you’re dealing with. I have lost both parents, my FIL, my aunt, my cousin to cancer. I have said a quick prayer for his easing of his suffering, and will say another tonight.
If there is anything I can do, including listening to you, just ask.
{{{{{{Shirley}}}}}}
{{{{{{your mom, brothers, and other family members}}}}}}
When I first saw the title I thought it was another of your good-humored attempts to get you through a cold or the flu or something but I was, or course, greatly saddened to learn that it was all too real.
I lost my youngest brother years ago to an accident he incurred while participating in a motorcycle race. He had sustained a severe head injury but his body hung on for several days until, as in your case, my parents had to make the difficult decision to remove the devices that were artifically prolonging his life. As difficult as that was, we all recognized that our loss of his physical presence would be more than compensated by our knowledge of the end of his suffering.
I will definitely be thinking of you and your family. And Shirl, I am only about an hour’s drive from where you live. If you need anything, let me know.
Shirley, I am so sorry you are going through this right now. You’re family has my best wishes and I am thinking about you. If you need anything at all, please let me know. I’m not in your vicinity but I will do my best to help you in any way possible. I’m just an e-mail, ICQ or even a phone call away if you want to talk.
I’m so sorry. Prayers are on their way and will continue whenever I think about you. Which should be pretty often, because iampunha won’t let me forget.
My prayers are with you and your family.