Friends of Russell Rice

Dad’s doctor and nurse came today. They evaluated his situation and gave us their assessment. It’s impossible to precisely predict in these situations, but they feel that death is imminent, possibly within 24-72 hours. Could be longer, but they feel that’s unlikely.

Daddy is pretty much non-responsive. He sleeps constantly, and we can’t get him to react to our voices or even to touch like he did just a couple days ago when we brought him home. It’s been such a rapid decline…but like I said yesterday, we feel that that’s a blessing.  Mom wanted me to thank you for your prayers for his peace and for God’s will to be done. She’s convinced that it’s an answer to prayer that he hasn’t had to suffer for a long time. He’s resting peacefully, he’s not in pain, and he will soon be with the Lord.

Please continue to pray. We’re asking specifically that you would pray that God would allow him to continue to be comfortable and at peace, and that God would continue to give us the grace and strength we need for this journey.

Thank you so much for your love and concern, and especially for your prayers.

Charity

Dad’s condition keeps deteriorating, pretty rapidly. Yesterday we had our whole family here, and although it was wonderful to have everyone here, it was also very difficult, because of the sad circumstances. Daddy slept through the whole thing. We couldn’t really get him to perk up and realize we were all surrounding him. He had been more responsive the night before when my cousins were here, but all day yesterday he slept.

Today has been the same. He rouses a little sometimes, but he doesn’t open his eyes. Or if he does, he doesn’t seem to focus anymore. This whole process has happened so quickly. He has only been in the “end stage” of this disease for less than 4 weeks. That is an extremely rare situation for Alzheimer’s. Most patients are in the end stage for months or years. We all know, though, that this is the way he would’ve wanted it to be. He wouldn’t have wanted to be bedridden for years. Who would, really? So in a way, it’s a blessing. We know where he’s going, and we’re all doing our best to maintain a spiritual focus.

Thanks again for all that you all are doing for our family. We are so grateful. Your encouraging words and comments continue to lift us up and remind us of how many friends he has and how much everyone loves him. As we sit here, holding his hand and whispering prayers for his peace and comfort during these days, it is so comforting to know that so many of you are thinking of him and praying for all of us. We can’t really thank you enough for that.

With Love,

Charity

We got him home yesterday. We have a hospital bed set up in Mom’s living room, and he arrived via ambulance around 3 pm. He had been sedated for the trip, and he stayed very sleepy all day and though the evening. Most of you know that Sara’s an RN, so she’s our official nurse, and Mom and I are her helpers. Charley and his family got here right after Dad did, and later in the evening my cousins, Mark and Robin, and their families came by. Dad was able to “perk up” a little when he heard their voices. We all are amazed that he still has recognition. Mom said yesterday that it’s truly a gift from God, because the MRI’s show such destruction to the brain, that he shouldn’t really have any recognition now, but he does.

He responds especially to physical touch…when we lean in and hug him, he’s still able to hug back, and occasionally we’ll hear some sweet words like ” You’re so precious” or “I love you”…that’s my Daddy, always pouring out words of love and affirmation. I’ve learned so much from his life, but one thing stands out about his parenting: he continually spoke sweet words of encouragement and love. Continually. Always making us feel loved, cherished, and important. That’s a very special gift that he gave each of his kids, and actually to all of you, too. Many of you have mentioned how he made you feel special and loved. Isn’t that another great lesson for all of us to learn from his life?? To take the time to reach out to people around us and show them love…it’s an evidence of God’s work in our lives when we do that, and I’ve watched my Daddy love people like Jesus would. I’m so thankful for the way he consistently lived out God’s love to everyone around him. What a beautiful legacy.

Thank you so much for faithfully lifting our family up to the Lord. It’s so hard to let him go…and it feels so selfish to want to keep him here, yet it is so painful to say goodbye. Crazy, conflicting emotions. We are reminding each other that he’s nearing the finish line, that we have to keep our eyes on eternity, and that he’s getting ready to be in the presence of God!! What an incredibly overwhelming thought! We have this hope as an anchor for our souls…a hope that is both sure and steadfast!!

We love you all,

Charity

Well, this is certainly an unpredictable journey…we aren’t even a week past my last post, but it seems like a year. Dad’s condition has taken a turn for the worse. We had a meeting a with his doctor Sunday, and he explained to us that Daddy is at the very end stage of this disease. We are bringing him home from the hospital today, and he’ll be under hospice care.

We will try to update this blog more frequently, so that you all can be informed. Thank you all so much for your precious comments here… they are so comforting to us. It’s really wonderful to have those words in print so we can go back and read them over and over.

We continue to ask for your prayers…especially now. Dark days ahead. Thankfully, God is in control and we are all relying on His grace. Our family is blessed to have each other, and we are so thankful for that. We’re all in complete unity and are drawing strength from each other. After all, the head of our family has been an awesome example and has shown us what it looks like to trust the Lord.

With Much Love,

The Rice Family

It looks like we’ve finally found a good medication combination. This week Dad has continued to do well, and has been so much more alert and peaceful. We’ve seen much more of his playful personality, and sweet disposition, which has been really wonderful!

Unfortunately, though, the whole nursing home/hospital ordeal has caused the disease to progress. We’ve learned that stressful events have that effect. When we went to the neurologist on June 17 he was still walking, talking, feeding himself…basically still in the middle stage (or stage 6). I’m not a neurologist, but he’s clearly not at that place anymore. He has lost many abilities this past month. My guess would be that he’s in the”end-stage” (or stage 7) now.

He still has a sense of recognition when he sees us, and he tries to speak to us, but words are very difficult-which is really frustrating for him considering how much he loves to talk! He’s not a quiet Alzheimer’s patient, as you can probably imagine! He’s constantly talking! 

On a different note…I need to let you all know that this blog has a new feature. Phyllis has added a link on the blog roll for photos. She has made it public, so anyone can add pictures. We would love for you all to do that!

Please continue to pray for Dad, and also for all of us as we rely on God’s strength moment by moment. We also would love for you to pray that we would have opportunities to share God’s love with all the people that we come in contact with through this experience. We want to see God glorified through this…and we know that’s what Daddy would want too!

I can’t tell you how much all of your sweet comments have meant to us! What an evidence of the grace of God!! I know my Daddy would love to extend his appreciation and love if he could, so I’ll do it for him!! You all are wonderful…thank you for allowing God to use you to encourage us! We are humbled and grateful.

Charity

Monday will be 2 weeks in the hospital. The first week was very bad, and they gave us the same discouraging report every day. 

But this week things got a little better. Tuesday evening Mom and I went to visit him, and my cousin, Matt Dibler, was also there. It was the first good visit in quite a while. He was very pleasant, and tried to speak to each of us. He even told my mom, “I love you, darling,” which was a very sweet gift.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were all similar to Tuesday…they gave us encouraging reports each day. He is slowly making progress, and the nurses all said he seems like a completely different person now than he was when he came in last Monday…much more peaceful, gentle, and affectionate. 

He is being treated right now for a urinary tract infection. The danger is that it’s a MRSA infection. MRSA is a strain of staph that’s resistant to broad-spectrum antibiotics, and this probably means that his hospital stay will be extended. Please continue to pray that God will give him peace and comfort.

Thanks so much for your prayers and concern. It is wonderful to know that God’s people are lifting us up in prayer…I can’t tell you how much it means to all of us!

We love you all!

Charity