A favorite uncle of mine is coming home from the hospital into hospice today, and the doctors think it may be as short as a week he has left to live. The cancer is all through his body now, and the first chemo treatment nearly killed him, so they have stopped that altogether. Please say a prayer and/or send positive thoughts for my cousins/their spouses/their kids, and my aunt (who has advanced Alzheimers and cannot understand what is happening) to find a way to say goodbye and make their peace with his death. It has been a very sad Christmas for my family. Thank you so very much. The thoughtfulness and kindness I see exhibited here on "The Couch" inspire me and comfort me. May God bless each of you and your families as we move into a new year.

Periwinkle - I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle. Lots of good thoughts and prayers for your family during this time. Your poor Aunt and their kids.

Thoughts from Georgia for you and your family.

Prayers for your family are headed their way.

Thoughts coming your family's way, my colorful friend.

Perkiwinkle - prayers are headed your uncle's way - and his family.

This is just heartbreaking to hear, Perwinkle. I will keep all of you in my prayers!!!! ::hugs::

Prayers for your family Periwinkle. I am so sorry to hear this...

Father I pray that you will comfort and bring peace to this family as they struggle with this difficult situation. Losing a loved one is something no one can identify with unless they've been there. Father, you have been there. We thank you that there is nothing we encounter that you've not experienced and we praise you that you are strong enough and gracious enough to help us through the darkest nights. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Of-course I'll add your uncle and his family (and you my dear friend) to my prayer list. Such a difficult path to travel.

Thank you so much, everyone. Your kind words mean more than you can ever know. This is all so sudden, and I'm just reeling myself, but my heart just aches for my poor cousins and my aunt and my mom. He was diagnosed a couple of days before Thanksgiving - such a shock to his immediate family, and they didn't tell us it was cancer until a couple of days after T-Giving. His downward spiral has been incredibly rapid. There hasn't been much time to absorb it all or get used to the idea. He has always been an incredibly powerful, vibrant person - the life of the party. His loss will leave a huge hole in our family.

He remains at the hospital now, due to difficulty breathing (and no signed DNR order yet, because my cousins are trying to come to some agreement). He'll spend another night getting more stabilized hopefully and tomorrow, they'll take him home and make peace with him going home to our heavenly Father. My one cousin said it is dawning on my aunt today that her husband will not be simply getting up from bed and back to "normal". He retired last year to care for my aunt full-time as her own disease was progressing. He was doing such an amazing job caring for her quietly, that nobody really realized how far she had regressed herself until he became ill. It's all just so much for one family to deal with, and somehow at the holidays makes it all worse. These cousins are like siblings to me, and I just feel so helpless. I'm ashamed to say I've gotten very little done at work today, because I cannot focus.

Prayers from Florida for you and your family.

((((Ann Marie))))

My heart is aching for you and your family. Lean on God for His support, and know that we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

What a lot to deal with at once! Wishing you Peace, the strength to accept and the Faith to know God is there.

My greatest sympathy to you and your family. I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle's condition.

May God wrap His loving arms around you and your family and help you all through this very difficult time. May your uncle be free from pain during these final days and may your aunt have peace.

Periwinkle, you and your family have prayers from Texas during this difficult situation.......

"But the good man----what a different story! For the good man--the blameless, the upright, the man of peace-- he has a wonderful future ahead of him. For him there is a happy ending."
Psalm 37:37 TLB

Thinking of you Ann Marie and keeping you, your uncle and your family in my prayers.

{{hugs}}

Hugs and prayers Periwinkle.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers. My uncle had several good days over the New Year's Eve-Day and following weekend. He was able to sit up and visit a bit with all of his kids and grandkids, some friends and all his siblings. He feels like he is coming to peace and saying goodbye well - what a blessing! Please continue prayers for him if you will be so kind, and keep his only son Brian in your prayers, too, he is the one struggling hardest with his dad's situation. Much appreciated.

Thanks for the update. Definitely praying for the whole family, but will especially remember Brian.

Glad to hear he's having some good days and getting some closure. I can't imagine being in his position. Prayers going up for the entire family.

How wonderful Ann Marie! Hope he is able to share some more good days with y'all.

Keeping all in my prayers Ann Marie.

Thank you all so much for all of your prayers, kind words and good thoughts over the past weeks. My uncle lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday morning; he fought bravely, but it was just too advanced. Please keep my aunt and cousins in your prayers and good thoughts as they struggle to find peace and get through the long upcoming days of the wake and funeral. I sincerely appreciate it.