He became an angel today

Our hearts are breaking today....I held Jim as he slipped away from us at 2:30 this morning. He was peaceful and comfortable and I held and kissed him. I will write more later. I hurt beyond words. Every movement....every breath hurts. You all loved him too. I wish I could call and tell you each personally.
Love, Elizabeth

HE LOOKED AT ME

I was standing over Jim telling him about a phone call I had from one our dear Target buddies, Jules, about a benefit ride they are doing for Jim and he opened his eyes and looked right at me!!!!!!!!!!!!! I kept talking and telling him about what Jules told me and he followed me as I moved a little bit. His brother, Rob, called my cell phone right then and I held the phone up to Jim's ear so Rob could talk to him and his eyes moved together as Rob was talking. I know he heard what I was telling him about the benefit ride. God Bless our Target friends. This was a great hour.
Love,
Elizabeth

A quick update

I have a minute to write, so I thought I would post a quick update. The doctor saw Jim this morning. He sees his semi-coma to coma state as stable from last night. His pupils seem to respond appropriately to light. I choose to continue to believe that he can hear things, so I talk about everything with him. His parents are arriving this afternoon and the doctor said he feels Jim is staying strong to see them. The nurses helped me get him washed and his linens changed so he's fresh and handsome for his mom. I have the TV on for him... there is a station that is replaying the MN Wild hockey game from last night (he's going to be disappointed when he hears they lost!). The nurses brought me a lunch tray...I ate and it tasted really good. I feel better. I told Jim's nurse that I go from being so sad that I don't feel like I can take another breath to feeling strong and positive. I feel strong right now...probably because we got Jim cleaned up and got him fresh linens....I know he's comfortable.
Love,
Elizabeth

Still fighting

Jim had a peaceful night. He is working so very very hard to breathe. His fever fluctuates. We spent another night together listening to music and holding hands. Jim's parents and brother from Phoenix arrive today. Thank you again for your love and support.
Elizabeth

Continued fight

Jim developed a fever at about 3:00 am last night. In addition to more medication, I'm helping him cool off with ice packs, cool cloths, and changing his pillow every 15 minutes or so. I have music playing....his crazy classic rock. I'm proud of him...he's fighting. He's almost completely unresponsive today. He will sometimes shake his head for me when I ask if he is comfortable or in pain. I really think he can still hear things so I keep telling him I love him. Pray for his comfort.
Love,
Elizabeth

My fighter

My Jim won a big battle last night. Yesterday there was a rapid decline in his condition. It was so fast, so dramatic, so overwhelming, so scary. Yesterday morning we woke up at home after a restful evening and night at home. Jim was weak, but we were home and so happy to be there together. We had a 1:00 radiation appointment at Methodist Hospital so we left at about noon. It really tired him out getting to radiation. While waiting for treatment, he began to ramble and not make sense. He was weak and it appeared he was having tremors on his left side. I quickly called for help and they evaluated him. We all thought that if we could complete his radiation and return home to rest....and the home health care nurse could make sure he was okay. On the drive home I called my son, Luke, to come and help me get Jim into the house. But, by the time we arrived home, Jim was hallucinating and he didn't look good. Thank God the home health nurse happened to be arriving when we got home....she quickly evaluated him and his vitals were not good....and declining fast. She called 911 and he was taken to Northfield Hospital. Jim's brother, Rob, met us there. They prepared us for the desperate situation that was before us. They stabilized him as best they could and then transported him back to Methodist Hospital. We were presented with more grave news and decisions. The doctors believed that he may have developed a blood clot in his lung....and that he may not make it through the night. Rob and I were in agreement that fluids and antibiotics were to continue. We waited and watched. I stayed by his side all night. At about 4:00 am his skin felt better....no longer cold and clammy. He was clearer in his thoughts this morning. They now believe that he had some sort of infection and not a blood clot. The situation is serious, but not as dire as the blood clot would have been. He has been heavily medicated all day. Comfort is our main priority. Rob stayed with Jim so I could go home, take a shower, and gather enough things so stay at the hospital for several days. Thank God for Rob. Jim is resting now....heavily medicated and sedated. He is fighting whatever this is, and we are giving him whatever help we can. He has a strong IV antibiotic, lots of fluids, morphine drip and other comfort drugs. I do have a sweet story to tell you....When we were at home he paged through the new Cabella's fishing catalog that had come in the mail. It was one of the last things he did at home. While Jim was hallucinating he kept making comments and actions indicating that he was fishing. I find it sweet and comforting that he was on a nice fishing trip yesterday during all the chaos. He was probably having fun. I hope he caught a big one!
Thank you for your prayers. Please keep him in your thoughts...he has a big fight ahead of him.
With love,
Elizabeth

Pray

We are back at Methodist tonight. Please pray for my sweet sweet sweet husband.
Love,
Elizabeth