Friday, August 3, 2012

FB Posts about Billie’s Failing Health


James-Billie Schafer

August 3, 2012 ·

First, I want to thank ALL my friends for your kind words of encouragement and for your prayers. I am overwhelmed with your outpouring of love to the darling of my life and to me, too.

Yesterday, was a long and difficult day. We admitted Billie to Odyssey Hospice. This morning, I am awaiting the arrival of the Hospice Nurse, whose name just happens to be Billy (a male nurse). So Billy will be taking care of Billie.

Yesterday she was not as responsive to us as she had been. However, when our Doctor Chad Hammett, came into her bedroom and she heard his voice, she perked up with a smile all over her face. She responded to him and for this I am grateful. For the many of you who do not know him, Chad is a young man, a great doctor, who has shown us nothing but love and care. Not many doctors still do house calls, especially the younger set. BTW, he has been the Physician of the Year at Christus-St Mary's here in Port Arthur, loved and respected by all the staff at the hospital. Believe me, I've talked to many of them.

The doctor discontinued much of her medications that she no longer needed since she does not get out of her bed. I'm doing pretty well with her feeding tube and learning every day under the tutelage of our daughter Deb. I appreciate so much her coming each evening to help get her mother ready for the night. It's a blessing to see her and I find we do better when there are 2 of us.

Bridget has been good to come see her Grandmother and try to get responses from her. Sometimes she is successful, sometimes not. Thanks to Brandi for her daily calls and for her knowledge as a dietician that is helping me get Billie's blood sugars back in line. Also, thanks to Jim for his calls to check on his Mom and Dad. I'm so blessed with the family the Lord has given me. They have really stepped up to the plate for Billie and me.

Above all, I thank my Lord for the ways in which He has kept His Word to "never leave me, nor forsake me." His mercies are indeed new every morning. His grace is all sufficient. His love is overwhelming. Ephesians 3:14-21 (KJV) "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."