Dear Friends and Family,

It's Sunday, January 25, and Crystal has requested an update to Joe's blog. She is now home full-time caring for Joe. Hospice is assisting but Joe definitely prefers his precious wife. In the last 3 weeks, the cancer has progressed significantly and his body is struggling. Joe has lost over 20 pounds in 2 weeks. Eating and drinking are very difficult for two reasons; one, the roof of his mouth is now open because of the tumor in his face so liquids and solids escape through his nose and secondly, food and liquids enter his lungs instead of his stomach so he chokes often, with this choking comes the risk of pneumonia. Hospice has made suggestions about how to remedy these issues including thickening liquids, trying straws, placing small amounts on spoons, using sip cups, etc. but nothing seems to help.

Recently, Hospice adjusted Joe's medications and added a steroid. This was done to see if his agitation, confusion, slurred speech, and poor balance were coming from swelling in his brain. The answer was yes. Some who visited were a bit confused by his temporary improvements. He had two days of increased activity, appetite, peacefulness, clear speaking, a sense of humor but also the realization that he had no memory of the previous 2 weeks. He wept with Crystal and was able to have a heart-to-heart chat with her. He told her the Lord is calling him home, and he asked Crystal if she was going to be able to let him go? It was very difficult for her to answer yet she continues to do what is best for him above all else. At this time, he also requested no more steroids. The steroids would only temporarily alleviate his symptoms and have negative effects on other parts of his body. He assures Crystal he is ready to be with his Heavenly Father and does not want to prolong this at all. That night Joe prayed and thanked the Lord for all his caring family and friends. He knows where he's going; he wants to be sure we'll be joining him there, also.

The steroids have cleared his body now and he is sleeping most of the time. When awake, he seems confused and far away in thought. His speech is hard to understand. He looks and asks for Crystal with each waking. Her presence definitely comforts him.

Please continue to pray for Joe and his family. Revisit his life verse, Revelation 2:10. Jesus is our only source of hope now and always.