First I want to apologize for my lack of updates. The truth is, I have been overwhelmed. Each time I created a journal entry, I would receive several messages asking "how is your dad?".  Answering everyone individually was taking a toll and I had to step back and catch my breath.  I will try to give you as much information here as possible, while still respecting dad and Terri and what they are going through. 

Dad - Hospice came in to evaluate him yesterday and from here on out they will handle and coordinate his care and comfort. He is tired. He sleeps a lot. He is falling down a lot. My heart breaks each time Terri tells me he has fallen again.  He battles constant UTI's and fluid build up in his abdomen. He is frail.  Dad is still dad though, and he has his sense of humor. I can only imagine the thoughts racing through his head during every waking moment, but he still tries to laugh with us whenever we can crack a joke or poke fun at someone or something.  Sophie, his dog, is glued to him. She crawls up in his recliner with him, or spoons him if he is in his bed. She has started licking him a lot too. She's trying her hardest to make him better. He loves her as much as she loves him. 

If you are wanting to call or visit dad, it's best to call Terri. Honestly, dad doesn't have the strength for a lot of visiting. He hardly looks at his cell phone anymore, and sleeps quite a bit. Terri is the best contact now. That doesn't mean you can't text him, just know he may not see the message for a while. 

Terri - Last Thursday Terri saw a new oncologist. Since she hasn't started her treatment and her diagnosis has been some time ago, the doctor scheduled a new PET scan to make sure her cancer hasn't spread.  She will have that scan this week, and depending on what they find will determine how her treatment will go. She has put it off because dad has needed her, and she refuses to let him down. Her oncologist told her that she cannot put it off any longer, though.  

In June, the kids, Eric and I, and even my mom all traveled to Okeechobee and witnessed a vow renewal between dad and Terri. They've been married for 29 years. Josh officiated, Tim walked grandma down the "aisle", and Katie captured it all on camera. Dad planned this for Terri and it was something I won't forget. He even got down on one knee and asked Terri to marry him again. 

My parents were married for 23 years and had two kids. They'll always have that history and love, and I am happy that they were able to see each other one more time and mom could give dad a hug. Regardless of anything that ever happened between them, mom is saddened by dads diagnosis and maintains that dad doesn't deserve what he is going through. She's right.  

In July, Aunt Diane and Uncle Tom, Uncle Pat and kids, Uncle Sam and Lora, Jean, and some of my cousins got together at the Masonic Lodge for a visit with dad. 

In early August I spent a couple of days in "Chobee". Leaving at the end of that visits was awful, and I cried halfway to Josh and Brittany's house.  

Just this past Sunday, Josh went to help Terri with some paperwork, and called me on his way home. He had the same feeling I did when I last left. 

Diane stopped by over the weekend as well, and brought dad cabbage rolls. He told her she makes the best, and whether he ate much or not, she made sure he had plenty. 

Last Friday I was talking to my dad and he mentioned my kids - his grandkids, and said "those are my kids". I said "yeah, dad. You helped raise them.  You were the male influence they needed growing up", and he said "yep they're my kids".  If there is anything about my dad that anyone should know is yes, he is a proud veteran and a proud Mason, but more than anything, he loves his grandchildren. 

Please continue to send love and prayers to dad and Terri.  

If you wish to donate to their gofundme for medical expenses, etc... please follow this link. 

-nucka (dads nickname for me)