Al seems pretty content in his new air mattress bed. He got his bath this morning. I think he likes his bath aside from the fact he is turned so often.
We have had big issues with discovering new ways to communicate. We have used flash cards.
We have tried to use fingers for yes and no.
We have tried blinking with the eyes, and once in a while, this still works.
We have tried spelling. I am running out of ideas as his voice becomes softer and his lips barely move.
If anyone has had this sort of issue to work with; please share your ideas with me.
I made vegetable soup today. It gave me something to think about other than Al. It was pretty good, but not as good as my Mom’s. Here is a photo of my soup.
Here is a photo of Al and one of his nurses.
I try very hard to find a good thing each day and today it was coffee. A sample in the mail of a new flavor from Folgers.
Oh friends, I am sorry to cut this short. I could hear Al’s voice. I went to him and I saw that his hands were more swollen than usual. As I checked him over his one leg is quite swollen. I went a step further and checked his temperature. It is 102.9. I have to call Hospice. I shall talk to you later friends. Love and hugs.
Who I am 
Oh my. It sounds like you have something hard to contend with. I haven’t read your blog in a while.
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it is hard to contend with when you learn there is no hope left
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God Speed, Terry, hugs
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thanks Carol
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Praying for you both.
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pray for comfort for release, no more hope left
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Praying… Diane
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thank you Diane, pray for comfort through release please
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My prayers are with Al and you. God bless you.
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thank you Kerry. Please pray for quiet release
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Terry: I haven’t faced the voice challenge yet. I’ve had times when Tom has elected on his own not to communicate but, that comes from severe clinical depression. I’m happy an air mattress was provided for Al. I hope this relieves those pressure points that create such problems.
Your vegetable soup sounds good and should be nice and healthy for you. I’ve slowly been cleaning out the freezer and the refrigerator freezer and making myself use what I already have. It’s a lot easier to take a recipe to the store and buy the ingredients I know I don’t have. I’m totally spoiled as Tom used to do all of the cooking or we ate away from home.
Hang in there, my friend.
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I find myself eating lots of home made soups since Al eats nothing but ice cream. I use what I have left in freezer as Al eats no more meats. I have to be creative, but it can be fun, I guess. Pray for quiet release please. Hospice said Al’s body and heart are shutting down. There is no hope left
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Sorry to hear that. With my Mom we would say look to the right if yes or look to the left if no and vise versa and sometimes would ask the question several times to verify.
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Al’s head is locked in place along with the rest of his body. I ask many questions which is frustrating for him and I
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Terry, you are an inspiration with your goals to find a good thing each day. I know it is not easy to care for Al as his needs increase over time. I am sending up prayers for both of you.
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thank you, please pray for a quiet release, as the hope was taken a way last night
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sending prayers and thinking of new ideas of communication that may work for al to be able to communicate with you.
Hugs
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thank you Granny. Last night’s news from Hospice was not what I wanted to hear, so please pray for a quiet release
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Praying, Terry. Will check back in the morning.
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Hospice said no more hope, so please pray for a quiet release
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Very soon, Lord, please, for both Al and Terry. Give them both the peace and grace to accept what is coming. I know you love them, Father, and they’ve both had just about enough. Your will be done. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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Oh thank you so much my dear friend, thank you so much for this prayer
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Hi Terry-
Do the flashcards have words only? Or – do you have common phrases too?
Sorry to hear that Al has a temp. Hope the Hospice can help ease the fever & help with the swelling. Will keep holding you & Al in my prayers.
{Hugs} to you both
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yes the flash cards are words only. He used to blink if he saw the one he wanted but no blinking anymore. Please pray for a quiet release as the hope has left
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My step mom used a stethoscope to hear my dad’s voice. He would speak into it as she had it in her ears.
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wonderful idea! I will try it today. Thanks Rebecca
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You are wonderful Terry, simple as that! (You are both always in my prayers)
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thank you Ute. Please pray for a quiet release as there is no more hope
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Will do!
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When you try all these different ways of communicating, what is it that is stopping it from working? Is it that he can’t see properly, or is that he can’t move/control his movements enough so that you can tell how he is responding, or is it that he’s not able to concentrate on the process sufficiently, or something else?
Your soup looks yummy.
And free coffee, yay!
I hope you manage to get the temperature and swelling under control again soon.
All my best to you both.
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his body is frozen and has no way of letting me know anything. I listen and watch so hard but can’t figure out what he is saying. Hospice got the fever down but says my hope is no more. just a waiting game now
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I’m glad to hear they got the fever under control but I’m sorry it’s all so hard. It must be so frustrating not to be able to communicate, for both of you. It must be a comfort for him to know you’re there though and doing such a wonderful job in extreme circumstances. {hugs}
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thank you so much Sarah. I am trying so hard to show him I am here for him
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I’m sure he knows and that he appreciates it so much.
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hoping
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You are both in my thoughts
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Hi Al, I had a terrible night of nightmares and real tears. Hospice got the fever down but temporarily as Al’s heart is shutting down. Thank you for standing beside me
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Oh I am sorry. I understand. Remember though, the good times. Keep them there with you. All the time. Remember the trips to the boot fairs, to the coca cola places. Keep them in your mind, Terry. Always
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Terry, I am praying for you. Thank you for keeping us updated on Al. I think about him a lot. It has been a long road for both of you. I pray he will pass peacefully into God’s loving hands. You are a great sister.
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Thank you Kathy, so much. Now, the only prayer is passing quietly
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I know we all appreciate a few words about your day…and feel we are right there with you…best to you Terry!
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thanks so much Marilyn
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