I had an email from Kathy this morning - she asked that I let you all know what is going on, and ask for prayers for her dad:

My Dad is back in the hospital as of Thursday night and not doing well at all, its a day by day thing.

His lungs are really bad this time and there is really nothing they can do.

They have been trying different meds to break the congestion up in his lungs but it just doesn't seem to be working.

I am headed to the hospital now...Please let our momsview friends know and maybe they can pray that he does not suffer. I just want him to be at peace and no pain.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks

Kathy

By Dawnk777 on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 10:57 am:

{{{{HUGS}}} to Kathy. Thanks, Karen, for keeping us updated.

By Angellew on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:40 am:

Her family will be in my prayers.

Thanks, Karen.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:51 am:

He has been fighting this battle for so long. Many {{{HUGS}}} and prayers.

By Rayelle on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 12:06 pm:

((((HUGS))))).

By Debbie on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 01:54 pm:

{{{HUGS}}} I will keep Kathy and her Dad in my thoughts and prayers!!

By Yjja123 on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 01:59 pm:

I will have Kathy and her Dad in my thoughts and prayers!! ((((((BIG time hugs))))))

By Nicki on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 02:27 pm:

I will keep Kathy and her dad in my prayers.

By Colette on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 04:24 pm:

(kathy)

By Conni on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 04:27 pm:

They will be in my thoughts and prayers. {{Hugs}}

By Luvn29 on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 05:39 pm:

Prayers and hugs for Kathy and her dad and their entire family.

By Annie2 on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 06:59 pm:

Thoughts and prayers for her dad, Kathy and whole family (((hugs)))

By Cat on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 10:54 pm:

Kathy, you're all in my thoughts and prayers. Lots and lot of hugs, Girl.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:46 pm:

Lots and lots of prayers.... ((((HUGS))))

By Pandamamaoo4 on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 10:35 am:

Prayers to Kathy & her family!

By Ilovetom on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 11:13 am:

I hate to hear this. Praying for you Kathy.

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 12:28 pm:

I tried to check in with her this morning, hopefully I'll hear from her soon.

By Conni on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 04:41 pm:

Keep us posted.

By Tonya on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 06:06 pm:

Big prayers headed her way.

By Kernkate on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 10:55 pm:

Thanks to all of you.I did ask Karen to let you all know whats going on.....you do not know how much I appreciate all your friendship and prayers.
Thanks so much to Karen for being with me thru all this ...Its not that I ever forget all of you ...its just life has changed and things are crazy!
I just got home from the hospital and when I got there Pa as we all call him was talking...somethings making since and some not...but he is talking and that means alot to me...
As I have told Karen in emails, being an only child in plain words sucks...I feel like I have to be there all the time I can't do it I would love to...but I have to work. I have to get my kids to school, their 1 st day was today... and already I feel like I have missed so much...my house looks like a bomb went off
I took Pa to the hospital last Thursday...and since then I am only at my house to sleep...but thats ok...I would do anything for him...
I am sorry for rambling....but I know all of you who know me know I am usually a real mellow person...but when push comes to shove I know where my true friends are...and thats why I had to stop @ Momsview to vent...Sorry....Please keep my Dad "Tom Murphy" in your thoughts and prayers...
You guys are truly the best friends anyone could ever have!!!
{{{BIG HUGS}}}}
Kathy
If anyone would like to email me...my email is
k a t h y @ e c h o e s . n e t
I do check my email daily to keep in touch with Dad's family who are mostly out of state...

By Tink on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 11:33 pm:

So many hugs, thoughts and prayers are headed your way, Kathy. Please keep us updated and come here anytime you need to just vent. {{{Hugs}}}

By Marcia on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 07:31 am:

I'm so sorry you're going through this, Kathy. Sending lots of gentle hugs your way.

By Happynerdmom on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 08:23 am:

((((((((Kathy)))))))) I'm sorry, Kathy. I'll be praying for you and your dad. Please try to take care of yourself.

By Kernkate on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 08:23 pm:

Thank you everyone.
Dad will be coming home tomorrow and will have hospice care here at our home. The doctors said there is nothing they can do for him at the hospital that they can not do at home.
Its going to be tough but we can do it.
Please continue to pray for my Pa that he will not suffer.
Hugs to all of you!

By Conni on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 08:31 pm:

{{Hugs}}

By Debbie on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 08:37 pm:

{{{{Hugs}}}}

I will continue to keep your Pa, and you in my prayers!

By Karen~admin on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 09:07 pm:

Kathy, you guys have my best thoughts and prayers. Hospice is there for the entire family - talk to the social worker, you can get support from them too. You've carried this entire weight all by yourself, let people help you now.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 09:34 pm:

Kathy, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how tired and stressed you are right now. I hope there are friends/neighbors that can help you out. You and your Pa will be in my thoughts and prayers. {{{HUGS}}}}

By Cat on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 10:40 pm:

{{{{{Kathy}}}}} We had a wonderful experience with Hospice when my dad was sick. My mom even went to their support group for months after my dad was gone. Know we're all here for you. More hugs.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 12:22 am:

(((((KATHY)))))) Please use the services Hospice offers.. My sister is a hospice nurse and Karen is correct, they are there to support you too, not just give care to your dad..

Please take care of yourself and keep us posted when you can..

By Mom2three1968 on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 07:42 am:

Prayers for you and your whole family Kathy and tons of ((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))).

Take care of yourself and get some rest.

By Kernkate on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 09:40 am:

Thanks once again to everyone. I am headed to the hospital to bring Pa home.
I thought I would share Pa's caringbridge page with all of you. Please feel free to stop and check updates and sign his guestbook. This is a way for me to keep everyone updated.
its:
www.caringbridge.org /visit / tommurphy

no spaces tho....
hugs

By Tayjar on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 09:56 am:

Kathy - I have been where you are when my mom had lung cancer and was placed in the care of hospice. I can't say enough good things about hospice. I'll be thinking of you. remember to take care of yourself.

And, one thing my sister did that I am grateful for now, is she kept a day to day journal of things mom said and did, even when she wasn't coherent. We look back on some of those comments and enjoy the memories of what she was thinking in her final days.

By Kernkate on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 12:27 pm:

Dora, the journal is a great idea...the other night when Pa was medicated he told his youngest sister she was getting fat! They got a kick out of it! She's all of 130 lbs...LOL
I did just get him home but his legs are so weak so he is in his bed resting.

By Dana on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 01:19 pm:

Hugs, Kathy. I only visit MV every so often these days. Prayers for your family

By Colette on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 01:38 pm:

((Kathy)) I emailed you. The only other thing I can say is what the grief counselor told me.."this sucks" You are in my thoughts and prayers.

By Angellew on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 02:52 pm:

{{{{Kathy}}}} You, your father and your whole family are in my thoughts and prayers

By Colette on Friday, August 29, 2008 - 07:30 pm:

Kathy, I hope today was a good day for you.

By Kernkate on Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 08:16 am:

Yesterday was a tough day for me. Hospice came in and his lungs are getting worse. Pa rested comfortably last night after they uped his morphine. Today he seems a little groggy, I just tried giving him some orange juice but he seems to have trouble swallowing it with the breathing.
Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers, please continue to pray for no pain or long suffering for Pa.
His brother and family are in from Maryland so they will be coming to see him today.
{{{BIG HUGS}}} for all the support.

By Colette on Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 08:20 am:

I hope you are getting the rest you need too. Your family i in my thoughts and prayers.

By Annie2 on Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 09:44 am:

Kathy, thinking about you. Your Pa is in my thoughts and prayers; you are, too. Try to get some rest. Hospice helped my dad when he was ill. They were fantastic for my sisters as well.
I like the journal idea. He may be relaxed from his meds that he will state funny things that you will be able to remember and laugh about years to come.

By Karen~admin on Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 03:14 pm:

{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}

By Amecmom on Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 06:28 pm:

Continued prayers for all of you. You are so strong.
Ame

By Mrsheidi on Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 11:19 pm:

I'm praying for your dad tonight, Kathy. {{Many Hugs}}

By Bobbie~moderatr on Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 11:44 pm:

(((((Kathy)))) Please take care of yourself.

By Bea on Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 03:55 pm:

Hang in there Kathy. I know how hard this is on all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

By Kernkate on Monday, September 1, 2008 - 08:31 am:

I am hanging....the morphine seems to be really working on the bad breathing spells. He is talking good but doing alot of cat napping.
Hes not eating has no appetite, but is hooked on orange soda. I know he isn't feeling good when he doesn't drink his morning coffee.
At times he is a bit confused to.
He was on his pulmocare drink and says that even bothers him to swallow that.
Thanks all of you for being so caring...you are all the best!
{{{BIG HUGS}}}

By Conni on Monday, September 1, 2008 - 09:49 am:

{{{Hugs}}} I am so sorry you are going through this with your Pa. More prayers going up for you and your family.

By Vicki on Monday, September 1, 2008 - 08:27 pm:

Thoughts and prayers!

By Dawnk777 on Monday, September 1, 2008 - 08:31 pm:

prayers from me, too.

By Missymelissy on Monday, September 1, 2008 - 10:07 pm:

(((HUGS)))

By Yjja123 on Monday, September 1, 2008 - 10:40 pm:

You and your dad are in my thoughts and prayers!

By Colette on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 - 05:31 am:

I hope last night was a better night for you and your dad and that you are getting the rest you need.

By Tayjar on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 - 02:45 pm:

Kathy - you have been in my thoughts all weekend. I know what you are going through and wish there was something we could all do for you.

When mom was at the stage that your dad is, she had trouble swallowing too. With her, the chemo made the bones and muscles in her neck and throat weak and that in turn made swallowing and even holding her head up a challenge.

While she rarely ate fast food, I found KFC mashed potatoes went down well for her as did warmed up applesauce. We also used mouth swabs constantly to keep her throat and lips from drying out.

Does your dad have a morphine pump or is he taking liquid? With mom, the liquid didn't quite cut it so they gave her the pump. Much better for all of us. When we saw her struggling to breath, we could hit the button.

Hugs to you. I hope your day is going well.

By Annie2 on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 - 03:12 pm:

Thinking about you, too.

By Kernkate on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - 10:07 am:

Dora, I can not get him to eat at all, yesterday I got his Pulmocare 1 can into him and a can of 7 UP. He is on the liquid morphine. I have liquid Oral balance to put in his mouth for the dryness.
Day by Day he is getting weaker, and confused at times.
Its just is terrible to see him like this...I pray to my Mom everyday to take him with her.
Guess she doesn't want him in heaven with her yet.
I am still trying to work everyday noon-6. Not that I want to but the way things are I have
to
Please continue to keep Pa in your thoughts and prayers.We all appreciate it.
And if you would sneak a prayer in for me for strength...its getting tougher each day.
Hugs to all of you.

By Colette on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - 10:44 am:

omg I can't believe you are going through this and working too. I am thinking about you every day and sending you strength and good thoughts to help you with this.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - 10:55 am:

{{{HUGS}}} It's hard when you are getting near the end. Will keep you and your dad in my prayers.

By Missymelissy on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - 07:21 pm:

HUGS -- thinking about you.

By Rayelle on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - 10:09 pm:

Hugs for you.

By Nicki on Thursday, September 4, 2008 - 05:20 pm:

Thinking of you, Kathy, and saying prayers for you and your dad daily. I just saw the new photo on your profile. Thanks for sharing. Beautiful picture.
((Hugs))

By Mom2three1968 on Thursday, September 4, 2008 - 06:42 pm:

Hugs for you from me too!!!!!

By Missymelissy on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 - 09:32 pm:

Kathy

Thinking of you and your family.

By Kernkate on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 - 10:04 pm:

Thanks again everyone...he is just getting weaker and weaker by the day Today I had to get him changed and washed...first time and it was terrible
He took care of me for 44 years and I will do it for him!

By Debbie on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 - 10:32 pm:

Oh Kathy, I am so sorry. Hang in there. We are all here for you.

By Cat on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 - 10:34 pm:

{{{{{Kathy}}}}} Still praying.