April 14th - Sunday

Joe slept like a brick last night.  He was totally exhausted.  When you have ALS, all of your muscles are impacted, and that includes not only the arms, legs and torso, but internally as well.  So, swallowing, breathing and digestion are all affected....the contraction of those supporting muscles is impeded.  Trying to go to the bathroom is difficult, no matter how well you eat, the disease prevents the normal bodily processes from functioning as they should.  Needless to say, everything Joe does and has to do is a chore and saps all of his strength.  That's why those power naps with the breathing device become so important.  And all the help from the hospice staff has been wonderful!

It is so nice to see family and friends take time out of their Sunday to visit Joe.  Our friend Regina drove down from Springboro and brought lunch (yum....Chipotle!).  Joe's cousin Holly and her daughter, Natalie, came all the way from Milford and in lieu of picking up some grocery items, they picked up a gift card (thank you!) for us to use.  Don (Elder Class of '76) and his wife, Janet, stopped by and brought a "We Love You" balloon that all of Joe's visitors are supposed to sign.  Joe's sister Jane, her husband Jeff, and their daughter Stephanie stopped by to offer their support.

 

It was a very long day today, so my narrative is much shorter than normal.  Thank you all for your ongoing support and concern for our family.  Keep praying for a miracle!