Why am I writing this blog?

Euclid (Cleveland), Ohio, United States
Here I share the amazing spiritual journey I began on July 19, 2007. I received the diagnosis of a golf-ball-sized tumor on top of the left parietal lobe (motor functions) of my brain. I had severe symptoms all up and down the right side of my body and had received an MRI scan of my brain. In August 2007, I learned that my diagnosis was a Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). This is a common form of fast-growing brain cancer with a challenging prognosis. That's the external story about that moment in time. In the spiritual world I found (actually more like it found me) what I came to call the Fact-Based Spirit-Guided Path, and I began an amazing journey. After October of 2008, I lost the use of my right arm, and in early 2009, my cognitive abilities were struggling, and treatment options ended. My wife, Susanne, then began doing most of the blog postings, with my review and input whenever possible. I continued to apply the Fact-Based Spirit-Guided Path as the adventure continued. My soul then flew to the Kingdom of God on July 1, 2009. Thanks for your interest in my journey. Craig

Susanne's Perspective

During this entire journey, my wife, Susanne, had an entirely different kind of experience. Initially she added comments to some of my posts describing her experience of the moments I discussed and offerred perspectives on our relationship. In the latter stage of this journey, she is writing the blog, as I am no longer able to do so. I am truly delighted that she is doing so. Susanne and I work together as marriage educators/relationship coaches and she has written many books on preparing for and strengthening marriages so you can count on her comments to be insightful and poignant.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Snoring the Day Away – Maybe! – June 28, 2009

Holly and I more or less managed the shifts last night. Craig got agitated at 4:30 a.m. or so at the end of my “on-duty” time. We noticed times when he would stop breathing briefly and that it didn’t seem as if the morphine was keeping up with the pain. Of course, we also began wondering whether it was “the end”! (It wasn’t.) The hospice nurse visited and helped us work out an increased dosage with the doctor. That has then kept Craig comfortable today…although it means often hourly medication. We then continued to do shifts until mid-day.

A friend brought food in today, so for those who are concerned about my well-being, I’m eating well, I promise! Deb Boyd-Tressler (Niks’ wife) came for a while this afternoon so I could nap, and she spent time intuitively communing with Craig. She helped me learn his body language for when he is awake and when he is asleep, even though he is “snoring” away. It’s funny that he hasn’t snored throughout our marriage (a blessing!) and now here he is doing it at the end! It’s actually simply congested breathing. Deb said that Craig is so busy visioning internally that he does not open his eyes, even when he is awake. He was able to let Deb know that the morphine is helping him, and we should continue it.

My challenge this morning was coming up with enough help to be able to have someone awake with Craig on a 24-hour basis. The solution at the moment is that my sister-in-law is coming in from Pennsylvania for the night tonight. Her husband may come in after that if we need help. Tomorrow the nurse will reassess Craig to see if having continuous hospice care is appropriate – that assessment will now happen on a daily basis as well.

The day has been gorgeous – sun and breeze through the house all day. We are playing the Long Healing Prayer for Craig periodically (www.projectmelody.com) and other music and in between enjoying the quiet and holding his hand.

We appreciate all the loving and encouraging comments on the blog and on Facebook, and we know that there are many others out there silently praying for us. We feel well accompanied!

Love, Susanne

Posted by at

1 comment:

Unknown said...

We wanted to let you know that we read the blog often, as we think of Craig all the time. We hope you can feel the love we are sending your way.
Love,
James, Sara & Ella Farnsworth

June 29, 2009 at 12:34 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)