Hello friends and family, 

We felt it was time to give another update on Al and Marcia.

Marcia enjoyed Christmas with the whole family and she did great despite the chaos of 9 grandchildren. She also had a variety of special visits for Easter. She continues to decline, losing a substantial amount of weight since the start of the year, continued muscle function decline, more regularly skipping meals (shakes)/needing more prompting to swallow, and sleeping more. Marcia has also had more moments of seeming quite vacant and not able to be present. Due to this decline, predominantly the weight loss, Marcia was placed back on hospice April 26th. Hospice brings more resources and support for Al so we are thankful for this renewed help. 

Al has had a tough year with his health. On February 21st he had another fall which landed him in the ER. After a difficult ER visit it was assessed that he had broken some ribs and also had some fluid in his brain. March 1st, Al was seen by a neurologist to  investigate this fluid build up and the potential affects it is having on Al's balance. March 18th, Al had a lumbar puncture to test for NIPH ( Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus) which ultimately came back negative. Al will meet with the neurologist again this month to discuss alternative possibilities. 

We are making peace with the fact that the end may really be near, please pray with us in preparing our hearts for that reality. Please also be in prayer for Al as he continues to care for Marcia but is understandable physically and emotionally exhausted.

Please consider how you can find ways to enhance their current support system. Visits (even short ones), phone calls, video messages, notes, or acts of service (share music, help with household tasks or yard maintenance, etc) would make a world of difference as we endeavor to effectively hold them up during this challenging season.

If you'd like to support Al and Marcia visit their gofundme page to help cover

some of the extra costs of Marcia's care at https://gofund.me/827f8cc7.

Thank you for your continued prayer, love, support, and service through this

difficult journey.

"We pray the Lord will bless you today" -Marcia

*A few photos attached of recent visits.*