Good Morning Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you for your continued concern for us. I appreciate your lovely emails, calls and visits to see how Ron and our family are doing. Most days I am at the hospital with Ron. Lately I have spent much time talking to hospital staff and doctors regarding Ron's future care. I apologize for not being able to answer calls and emails. The days seem to fill up so quickly.
Last weekend was extremely busy for our family. Son Steve was here from Salem, Oregon from Friday to Monday. It was great having him here as always. He, Son Michael and I spent most of the time with Ron at the hospital. We had many family discussions about what the next level of treatment should be for Ron.
It was a very hard weekend for dear Ron. His pain was difficult to keep under control. He has been hospitalized for a total of 42 days since February. This time from May 20 until now. He is still on intravenous feeding and fluids. His Shingles are healing slowly, along with his incision from his abdominal surgery. This last stay has been filled with many complications. Now Ron's legs and lower body are very swollen. He is retaining fluids.
The doctors can't really tell us if his body is shutting down.
After much, much prayer and doing everything we know to do to care for Ron -
Yesterday we made the decision to bring Ron home and begin Hospice Care. He will come home on Thursday. It is what he wants. During the past months he and I have talked at length about what he would want at this point. He has always stressed "quality of life" as a priority. It helped greatly to talk to the Palliative Care staff at St Agnes Hospital regarding hospice care. So much I didn't fully understand before now regarding this type of care at home. At this stage of Ron's illness, it seems appropriate to begin hospice and give Ron time for the comfort and peace of being home and hopefully more consistent pain control.
My prayer is that he can still have some good days and enjoy more quality time with us. He may still have more time than we think, so we want to give him that chance.
In reflecting upon all that has happened since February 12, 2007 when Ron was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - I must admit that my heart still aches over all the daily losses as a couple. We have been married for 52 years - December 20, 1954 - almost a lifetime together. It is hard to imagine life here without Ron Dangaran. He and I have been a wonderful team. And he has had the privilege of making outstanding contributions to society in his career as an educator.
I am so thankful for a beautiful love story to remember and cherish. We have had our share of lifes ups and downs, but through it all, we have stayed close and run the race together as one in the Lord. We have our beloved sons and grandchildren as a continuing legacy. We are blessed.
The words of Psalm 23 are very precious to us.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul; He guides me in the path of righteouness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for Thou art with me;
Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
To know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is what gives us such assurance, comfort and peace. This earth is not our eternal home. How thankful we are to have this hope. The boys and I stood over Ron's bed Sunday night holding hands in prayer. My heart was overjoyed to be joined together as a family as one in Christ knowing Ron's life is in God's hands and that his earthly body is only a temporary dwelling place.
God's grace and peace be with you all dear family and friends. Thank you again for your faithful prayers and loving concern for our Ron. We know what a difference it has made to have your support and encouragement.
Love and appreciation to you all, Eva