Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Prayer Request

I have a prayer request today that I would like to share. These are things that are weighing heavily on me today, and I know that sharing them with you will help.

As you know, my father-in-law has the beginnings of Alzheimers, and we have been struggling with his health issues and what course of action to take in his care. Today, the home health nurse called me and said that Daddy is refusing to take any more medication whatsoever, that he just doesn't see any use in it, and that he just doesn't want to be here any longer. They are concerned about his mental state and his physical state. He is down to 98 lbs. The doctor prescribed a medication for his appetite, but he is refusing this as well as his Alzheimer medications, blood pressure medications, and stroke prevention meds. What are we going to do? A social worker is going to visit him this week and do another assessment of his situation. I figure they will recommend the nursing home, and I know that he will definitely give up on life then. We are at our wit's end, because he won't let us help him. She suggested a sitter, but we've tried that, and he is refusing that. I've called my husband and told him what the nurse said. A family meeting is in order. Please pray for Mr. Green. This doesn't have to be as difficult as it is becoming.

Also, and this is a selfish request, but I need prayer personally. I have some personal issues I struggling to resolve and have been struggling to resolve for over a while now. This goes to the very core of my family and its spiritual well being. I am struggling to find the place God wants me to be, my family to be. I know that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. I want stability in my home. I want peace. I want a sense of normalcy. I am trying to fight the good fight, but I'm not trying hard enough. I'm fighting against laziness and apathy and depression. And just acknowledging these problems isn't fixing them. I need some Divine intervention.

So, I know I can count on you guys to pray. And I'll return the favor if you leave your requests here. We're in this together.

12 comments:

Delia said...

You and your father-in-law are definitely in my prayers!

I'll be praying that Mr. Green makes the choice to hang on until God chooses for him to leave this life behind.

And I'll be praying for you Cindy, to have the strength to fight the issues that you battle and to overcome them.

Ms. Kathleen said...

We will definitely be praying for your father and for you and you family, that he lift you up and give you strength and wisdom. God Bless!

Diane Viere said...

Dear Cindy,

We are praying for you and your father-in-law. These are difficult issues to deal with....and God is walking through each one with you.

This week, on my blog, I am posting about prayer......based on Philip Yancey's book, Prayer, Does it Make a Difference. He always blesses me!

Diane

Heather said...

Our prayers are with you.

tam said...

Heavenly Father,

Lay your sweet healing hands on Cindy and give her the strengh to get up and get moving, give her the courage to go where you want her to go. Father, so many of us know this feeling, this lack of motivation and it can only be the deceiver lying to us and the simple weakness of the flesh...make her strong, make it clear to her and those around her that she is yours!

Sweet Jesus, give this family the wisdom over what to do with Mr. Green. Let them have peace over what is given by you whether it be to let Mr. Greens choices be or to go another direction....Make it clear so that there is no question.

Lord, I give you gratitude and praise for what we all will see soon as victory in Christ for Cindy and this family.

AMEN

I will continue in prayer for you...

rena said...

Your comment about "not trying hard enough" caught my eye. When we learn to abide and rest in Him, we learn to stop trying hard. Jesus came to give us rest. My prayers are with and for you.

Anonymous said...

We do what we can but must leave it up to Him. Whatever the outcome, we are not to blame as long as we have done our best and you have! Last winter my mother refused to eat because food had no flavor. At 96, it was time for us to let her go and it was hard but we knew it was for the best. You have hard days ahead but many are praying for you...God Bless !!!
Ted

C. H. Green said...

Thank you for stopping by and offering your kind words of empathy. Y'all be sure and visit Ted's blog. He is a cartoonist!

ann said...

Hi Cindy, thank you for your prayers on behalf of my Mom and me and of course, you and your family will be in mine.
The journey I am taking along with my Mom started back in March this year - at least this leg of that journey. Before her birthday on March 16, she was in complete control of all of her faculties. She had no problem with memory, except the usual that comes with age. March 17, she woke up in a different world and has been confused ever since. My Mom made a decision last fall that she wanted to be taken off of all medications that would only prolong her life. At that time, as her medical proxy, I decided to continue the meds even though she asked to be removed from them. She and I talked to our family physician, who is a great source of strength for me, and she suggested that discontinuing the medications could have a devastating effect on her quality of life. If she were to have a stroke or a heart attack, her quality of life would be greatly diminished.
When my Mom experienced whatever she did that caused her to awaken March 17 with a lot of her memory gone, the decision was made at that time to discontinue all medications except those needed for comfort. Hospice was called in at that time and have helped care for her ever since. They are amazing! I never knew that such help was available! We have a weekly visit (more if necessary) from a nurse. An aide comes out three times a week to shower my Mom and we also have access to a Chaplain who also visits once a month (more if requested).
We have certainly gone through many changes with my Mom, but I am so thankful that she is home with us now. No matter how long - or how short - this journey may be, I know that God will provide everything we need to care for my Mom in a Godly and loving manner.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds." Philippians 4:6-7

Ms. Kathleen said...

I love you blog, truly I do but I want to tell you that I have a hard time reading it because it is so dark. I don't know if other people have this problem or if it is just me.

I do want you to know that I am praying.

God Bless!

Ms. Kathleen said...

Yes I do use firefox. Humm, the only thing I could suggest would be to make the font black/black. It looks to be blue black or dark gray. Thanks for caring and thanks for the compliments on the new little granddaughter. I just love being a grandma!

C. H. Green said...

I don't know how to change the font. :(
It's already black in Internet Explorer. Maybe Dave can help me out when he gets a chance. Thanks for coming by.