Sunday Night Update

Dear Friends:

Bill continues a heroic fight for his life tonight. Mary and I visited him this morning and again this afternoon. He remains on breathing support and kidney dialysis, along with many other medications and apparatus that are helping him sustain a slender hold on this earthly life. Although he has a breathing tube, he continues to assist the machine with his own breathing efforts.

We are absolutely certain that he is aware that we are at his bedside by the reactions we receive from him – head movements, hand movements. The nursing staff concurs that it is an acknowledgement from Bill, not simply an autonomic reaction. In fact, the nurse told us that she squeezed one of his toes this morning and he lifted his hand and pointed his index finger at her, even through the dense fog of sedation. She said his mind and heart are strong. If his counts would return, he would have much more to fight with. It is a waiting game with life and death consequences.

It is heart-wrenching to see him in this condition, so close to leaving me, hanging on, hanging on. I spoke clearly to him today and told him that if he wanted to stay with us a while longer, he would have to assemble the greatest arsenal of physical and spiritual strength he’s ever called forth, but that if he wanted to leave, it was OK, I would support whatever choice he needs to make. I have a sense that he isn’t ready to give up or give in. Anyone who knows Bill knows that there is not a stronger will to be found.

Please pray for strength for him and for his blood counts to return. I pray that Jesus wraps his comforting arms around Bill, filling him with his infinite love. Please join me in this prayer.

Faithfully,
Nola