Thank you for everything...

A week has passed since my father died, and sadly, life goes on without him. We had such a great turn out for the visitation and the service...over 600 people altogether. The turn out for the golf outing was great too, as you can see by the picture.

We hope you know how much we have appreciated all your cards, phone calls, emails and hugs. They will get us through the bad days. We plan to print this blog and make some sort of book out of it...a remembrance of the struggle and heartache, but more importantly, the support of family and community.

I may not post to this blog again, but it will remain up and active if anyone wants to leave a memory about a great man.

Tee Time Tribute

Many of you know Les loved playing golf and had a standing tee time with several close friends every Thursday at 5:07pm. As a way to honor his love of the game, we are extending an invitation to pay tribute to Les at the Country Club on Thursday afternoon. Please join us at the Ashland Country Club at 4:45pm, Thursday, August 20th. Everyone will be given a golf ball and a sharpie to write your name on it. Beginning at 5:07, everyone will have an opportunity to tee it up for Les and drive the ball down the fareway (or rough, in my case). Once everyone has had their turn, the golf balls will be collected and given to Mom. So, please consider joining us for this Tee Time Tribute to a man who loved the game. Thanks!

Information on Services

Thank you so much for the wonderful comments on the blog today. They are treasured and I know we'll continue to read them over and over as the days/weeks go by.

These are the arrangements we've done so far... The visitation will be held at Marcy Mortuary (104 N. 15th) from 5pm - 8pm on Wednesday, August 19th. The funeral services will be held at American Lutheran Church (1941 Silver Street) on Thursday, August 20, at 10:30am. A luncheon will follow at the VFW Club (102 S. 24th) after the visit to the cemetery.

Mom seems to be doing okay and we continue to be very well fed and supported. Thanks for checking in for details and we hope to see you to celebrate the life of a great man.

17 Lives On

It is with mixed emotions that I write this...a heavy heart and one that is filled with joy. My father, Leslie Paul, is in a better place. At 3:05 on August 17th, Les took his final breath with Mom, Natalie and I holding his hands. There was no pain, just a last breath during a prayer Natalie was giving.

On the 17th. So many people predicted it would be today. For those of you that don't know the story of 17 with Mom and Dad, here is brief rundown... Les was born on June 17th. Carolyn's birthday is April 17th. Their first official date was on August 17th - 51 years ago today. They got engaged on October 17, and married on April 17th. 17 has shown up in their lives in license plates, addresses, football jerseys, etc. Les knew Mom was a "numbers person" and this would make a fantastic ending to a wonderful story.

There are no plans made at this time. We ask that you remember Les with a smile, as he was so quick to give one to other people.

Update 2...

Les continues to prepare for his new adventure. His pulse is down to 60 and his respirations are down as well. We've had lots of visitors today and Mom says she is more at peace today. We are thankful for all the visitors, phone calls, and food. We appreciate your positive thoughts and prayers.

Update...

After a shower and a nap, I can write a little more. Les remains the same. They've stopped taking his blood pressure and pulse oxidation since they are undetectable. His pulse is faint and fast...sometimes up between 120 - 140 beats per minute. They continue to give the morphine regularly, so he is not restless or in any pain. His fever comes and goes; it is currently 101˚F.

Obviously, the timetable the nurses initially thought was off. They think because he is so young, his heart is just not ready to give up. (It's all that chicken Mom made him eat all those years after his stints!) His body is showing some signs of shutting down, but again, it is all up to God.

Mom is very emotional, as expected. Last night she got about 2 hours of sleep in addition to her one the night before. We did get her to go home and take a shower, so I think she feels better. Nat and I have left the husbands to take care of the kiddos and all the wonderful food that our friends and family have brought over. We are continually stuffed! :)

Visitors are welcome...especially if you go to my house and eat some delicious food! We've said our goodbyes many times, so if you'd like to come and say yours, please feel free.

Thank you one more time, for the outpouring of love and support you've shown our family. God Bless.

His fight continues...

Les continues to be with us. Nothing has changed, other than now we are even more exhausted. More when something changes.

When is God's time?

Les continues much the same. His blood pressure and pulse are basically undetectable. He has begun having some tears rest in his eyes. We have all given him our blessing to "go to the light", but he continues to hang back in our earthly world. The hospice nurses believe (as they have for hours) that it is close, but that it is ultimately in God's time. Mom is exhausted. She only got about an hour's sleep last night and refuses to lay down on the other twin bed in his room. Please pray for Mom, and for Les to begin the feast in the house with many rooms.

Still with us...

Such a long night. Mom, Nat, Terry, Dan (until he went home to sleep with the kids), and I stayed throughout the night in Les's room. His breathing continues to be very labored and he had a fever of about 103˚F in the middle of the night. He seems much less congested and they continue to give him pain meds every hour. Thank you for your comments and for checking in.

The time is near...

Based on several symptoms Les is showing, the hospice nurses don't think he'll be with us too much longer. His breathing is becoming more labored as his lungs are filling up with fluid. His hands and arms are cold to the touch and he isn't responding.

We are so thankful the hospice nurses are making sure he is in no pain and is being cared for with such dignity. We had lots of family here tonight for a prayer service with Pastor Lori...Mom's brother Mike and his kids, Kim and Jeff, Tom and Nancy, Judy, Deb and Jodi, and of course Nat's and my families.

We are also so thankful for the outpouring of support we have received during Les's illness. We will continue to need your prayers and support as Les moves on with Jesus and we are left behind for now.

More news...

This morning while Mom and Nat were gowning up, the aide that was in with Les came out of his room looking for help, as he was having a seizure. We think it lasted less than 2 minutes. He immediately fell into a deep sleep and continues to sleep now. He was given Ativan to help with anxiety and in controlling his pulse. We are not sure what to expect, but will keep you all posted. Please pray that he is experiencing no pain and for peace for our family. Thank you.

Somewhat better

Tonight Les's fever is gone and he seems better than this morning. He was able to swallow some watermelon and small bites of popscicle. I guess there is a fear he will aspirate into his lung if the swallowing isn't working correctly. We did sign on to hospice so that will be comforting to know he'll have additional people looking out for him. He remains very quiet, but is much more alert than earlier today. Thank you for your warm thoughts and prayers. Please know we appreciate them.

Not so good

Mom called this morning around 9am to say the nurses thought Les had deteriorated during the night. He has a fever and is unable to swallow or suck through a straw. We have called in Hospice, and they will be coming on board today. He is sleeping now, holding Mom's hand. We have a call into the doctor and will post more later. Thanks.

Cancer or flu?

On Monday morning, Les's stomach was very upset and he spent most of the morning vomiting. Monday night and all day Tuesday he was able to keep things down, but this afternoon, it started up again. I guess his lip was somewhat swollen today and he actually took a trip across the parking lot to the dentist to make sure things looked okay in his mouth. Things looked alright, but they put him on Amoxicillin just in case something was starting.

Mom will be calling Dr. T tomorrow to ask about several things... the nausea/vomiting, the shaky hands, the fact that he cringes in pain when the nurses take his shirt off, the blank stares and how quiet he has become again. His vitals continue to be good, but he did take a pain pill today.

Please continue to send up prayers for Les and Mom. We would appreciate it. Thanks.

Not sure what's going on with Les...

The last several days have been very quiet for Les. He is back to staring off into space for long periods, not saying much, if anything, and at times starting sentences that he cannot finish. His hands continue to shake quite a bit, which makes eating and drinking difficult. He often has his hands folded on his chest or holds on to the rails of the bed so they don't shake as much. He does eat pretty well, but getting him to drink continues to be a struggle. He really doesn't seem to be interested in anything (TV, newspapers, stories about things going on in town, etc.) His vitals are good, he isn't really in any pain, and he doesn't have a fever. We struggle with how to help him communicate or get him interested in anything. Please continue your prayers for Les and Mom. We appreciate you keeping them in your thoughts.

Nothing too new...

Les is hanging in there...eating more than we've seen in a long time and much more alert and conversational than before. His voice is stronger and he smiles at stories/memories with visitors.

This morning he told mom he felt "puffy". We're not quite sure what he meant by that, and he couldn't really find the words to explain it. Finding the right words continues to be difficult at times. He and Mom played War, the card game, the other night and he did pretty well with that.

Physical therapy started again this week so that should help his muscles and coordination improve. Thank you for your positive thoughts and prayers. We appreciate you checking in on Les's progress.