Debby Doyle McCalley

Hospital Updates - June-July 2007



August 24, 2007

The Erin and Katie McCalley Angel Fund has finally been setup..... It took a long time to receive the paperwork to set up the Trust - - not sure why - - it's a simple transaction - - nonetheless, it's now setup and ready to be utilized.....Discussions will be held with an appropriate group to determine how to best use the funds...... The plan from the beginning was to utilize the funds for educational needs and most think that's the best use...... I'm adamant on that point, as friends have provided their hard earned money and expect it to be managed wisely...... Thank you for contributing to the Fund - - we are very grateful.

It's been well over a month since Debby has left this earth.

Have you ever thought about what will happen to you when you pass away - -

I mean, will you go to heaven? (If you think I'm being too personal in asking that question - - consider that I've lost three family members to death, and, at this point, I don't mind being bold on the subject)

If you think you'll go to heaven because your a "good person" - - - think again......

The only one who is good, according to the Bible, is God...... We should know we are "not good" based on God's definition of good - - keeping the 10 commandments - - - - because all of us have broken the 10 commandments - - His Law - - ............And because of this, we are guilty in God's eyes - - - and we are definitely "not good" in His eyes - - -

So - - stop thinking I'm going to Heaven because I'm good - - - because that is absolutely not true in God's eyes - - whose opinion, by the way, is all that matters......

don't think so?

Let me ask - - have you ever (1) lied, (2) ever stolen, (3) ever looked lustfully upon another, (4) ever been jealous or greedy over what another had, (5) or ever been angry or hate someone - - - ever???? (Well, guess what, you have, because you're human) ........ I just parphrased 5 of the 10 commandments - -just half of the 10 commandments - - - and if you've done each of these only once in your lifetime - - you've just broken 5 of the commandments and (by breaking one commandment one time) you've sinned in the eyes of God...... And - - -this is important - - - in God's eyes you're guilty - - - just as guilty as the prisoner in jail for murder......

don't think so?

It's true - - - while our court system appropriately punishes murder more than lying - - - in God's eyes, sin is sin - - and you are guilty before Him for committing any sin........ Sure - in hell, the Bible says there are worse punishments for more grievous offenders of the Law - - - but anyone who breaks any of God's Law - - the 10 commandments - - - is guilty........and is destined for Hell.....

...... - - unless - - -

You believe with all your heart in the One who is without sin, who died on the cross to take away your sins and give you eternal life - - -Jesus Christ....

Now - - instead of God looking at you and all your sins, because of your belief in Christ as Lord and Savior of your life, He will look to Christ on your behalf , whom you believe in, and declare you "righteous" - - and you will go to Heaven forever after you pass on from this earth........

Once you make this commitment to Christ in your heart, over time, it will be your heart's desire to please Him and to be more like Him.......

Yea - you'll still sin - - because we're human and humans are sinners - - - - - but you will no longer be a slave to sin - - and, over time, the sinning will become more offensive to you and you will seek to do it less and to please Christ more...... the "things of this world will grow strangely dim" (and unimportant to you)..... and pleasing Christ will take precedence.....

You'll spend more time in the Bible - - His Word - - and in prayer and in service to Him......

Remember - - doing good deeds (like giving to the Erin and Katie McCalley Angel Fund or helping those in need ) doesn't get you to heaven - - only believing in Christ provides eternal life in Heaven.....

You could never do enough on our own to get to Heaven - - - because no matter how many good deeds you do, you're still going to break the 10 commandments and this is how God determines guilt of a person before Him.......

but because you believe in Christ - - you want to serve Christ more - - and grow to be more and more like Him...... Consider this - - anyone you want to develop a relationship with - - - you need to spend time with.... To develop a relationship with Christ, you'll want to spend time daily with Him in His Word, in Prayer and in Christian fellowship ......

Debby is in Heaven now, simply because she declared Jesus Christ to be her Lord and Savior..... not because she did good things - - - which she did - - - - - and we all know she did bad things -- - - - because - - - - we all do.....

But, she believed with all her heart, mind, sould and strength in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior......

Now - - -I know you're thinking - - I'm not that bad - compared to some people I read about in the paper or see on the news - - or not as bad as some friends of mine - - - I'm a pretty good person - - and God is so good, he'll understand and forgive me for my "sins" and I'll surely go to heaven- -

- but guess what - - -:

1. with all due respect to you, it really doesn't matter what you think; it only matters what the Word of God says...and

2. you have broken God's Law and

3. In God's eyes - - you are that bad because any sin is an affront to Him... and

4. God is good and fair- - - and because He's good, He will absolutely punish anyone who breaks His Law - - - no matter how good that person thinks they are......

So, please - - from the bottom of my heart - - - give your life to Christ today........ It's the most important and only eternal decision you will ever make.....

If you want to speak with someone about this, please find a Christian person to speak with or email me at tdoyle@doz.net and we can talk about it......

God bless you....

Tim


July 6, 2007

The funeral......


July 5, 2007

The calling.....


July 4, 2007

Independence day................ and Debby is now, finally, truly independent..... What a beautiful reminder and blessing for the family!!

An obituary will be in the paper on July 4 and July 5...... It will include the following arrangements:


Go back - - - and think - - - how brave was the decision that Debby made?

Could you do it?

What do you think was going thru her mind, when she was alone, on the night of July 1, 2007, when she said to herself, "tomorrow is my last day on earth......and I am willfully choosing to leave my family and friends who love me so much....."

How can someone turn away from such a love as this ? Debby said it herself - - - she said "Im going home to a greater love......" and the Bible says her new home looks like this:

Care to join Debby at a place like this someday? Give yourself to Christ and it shall be done.......


July 3, 2007

Today, Erin was choosing the Prayer card for the funeral and she chose a picture of the Lord hugging a Believer as the Believer arrived in heaven........The Believer in the picture is hugging the Lord back.....

Erin thought it was appropriate since her mom got to hug all family members (and friends) at the very end - -- Debby demanded that a nurse put each of her arms around the person she was hugging......... It's the first time Debby was able to hug someone.......and now we'll remember this special hug forever, every time we look at the prayer card that will be provided at the funeral....

As family members and close family friends receive appropriate phone calls and notes expressing sorrow over our loss of Debby, the family (and adopted family members) are, for the most part, in a different place...... While the loss is real, we have all been preparing for this event for almost two months- - - we have moved from astonishment - - -to sorrow - - - to agonizing pain - - -to now, a sense of overwhelming peace and soon enough, to a place of great joy...... And we were led in all of these emotions by Debby.......

So, don't be surprised if you happen to see family members and close friends with faces of laughter, great peace and joy - - it's where Debby has led us by the Lord's most Amazing Grace!


July 2, 2007

The day has arrived - -- who knows what it will hold..........

The family and "adopted family members" arrived by 8 am to say their final good-byes...... Two empty patient rooms and the adjoining hallway outside of Debby's room were commandeered by the family to hang out in....... the area was quickly renamed the "front porch" and it held about 15 family and friends this morning - - - -

Soon, everyone left the front porch and surrounded Debby's bed as she lie there, with a perpetual smile and a rosary in hand on top of a Butler pillow (that Katie made).....

At about 9:30 am, the nurses began a morphine drip with the intent to take Debby into a state where she would feel no pain....... We were told that it might take a half-hour or so...........

During the morphine drip, Debby shared some silent final words with everyone... She asked her mom to sit on the bed next to her - - - Debby said you need your mom next to you when you're feeling sick - - - but then Debby quipped - "not that she ever made me better - - but she always made me feel better inside."

After tearful and joyful good-byes, someone in the group spotted the Butler pillow and broke out into singing the "Butler War" song ..............and everyone joined in and sang......even Debby did her best "milli vanilli" lip-sync of the tune she's sang thousands of times.................I'm sure the quiet hospital patrons and staff were enthralled with that one......

After the raucous rendition of the Butler song ended, Debby looked to each person and moved her lips to say kind and thoughtful sentiments - - - and we waited patiently for Debby to sleep.............and soon a half hour passed.......and then an hour........ and Debby wouldn't or couldn't let go.......

Many began filing out of the room for bathroom and drink breaks.......

Some surmised that she had become so accustomed to medicine in her system that the current amount that was provided was ineffective........so, the doctors kept upping the dosages.......the "front porch club" started to believe this might be a long-term process.....

And another hour passed............and Mack joked that Debby had enough morphine in her system to bring down John Belushi........ but not the strong-willed Debby........

And another hour passed - - - so, we just all went to lunch....and Debby.......Well, she puts in her order for lunch!!!! Unbelievable! She ordered and later ate a steakburger with cheese......I guess drugs really do give you the munchies......

So, Danny decides to take off for Chicago, as he just started a new job that previous week....... Debby hears that Danny is leaving and she breaks into tears and says "I'll never see him again..." Danny is retrieved from the parking lot and proceeds to spend more time one on one with Debby........and a few more hours pass..............

Then Debby has everyone come back in for some more final words and a hug....... Now, Debby never gets to hug anyone as her arms don't work - - - people just hug her - - - well, Debby ordered two nurses to each take an arm and wrap them around each person that was hugging her........ Since Mack and I (both in wheelchairs) couldn't get close enough to her bed for a proper bear hug, she gave Erin and Katie a "hug by proxie" for us.........

The afternoon continued in this fashion - - - Debby even made Father Jerry from St. Pius spend his whole day on the "front porch" waiting for her........

Finally, Debby asked Peggy Kline if there was anyone else to hug and say goodbye to - - - and Peggy confirmed there was not - - - so Debby, in her utter state of exhaustion, concluded, "Then, I need to go to sleep".........

And so she began to do so.........and some two hours later when the clock turned 5 pm, the nurses finally confirmed it was time to take Debby off the ventilator - - - (remember, this was supposed to all take place early in the morning!)....... Debby had finally come to terms with her decision and was in a state of no pain and was ready to go.........of course, 7 hours later than scheduled!

The nurses took off the vent and the trach collar and minutes later the family and "newly adopted" family members came into the room....... Father Jerry prayed Psalm 23 and other words for a Christian homegoing.....then, the family watched and waited for Debby's last breath............and waited............and waited.............and guess what? ...........waited.......

Almost 5 hours later, when what was left of the group was eating dinner in various rooms in the hospital, Nancy Dury came into the room....and started talking very loudly to Debby......................Muffy sprang off the "front porch" with eyes as wide as quarters in a panic - - and later, Muffy said, "If Nancy woke Debby up, I'd have been so upset, you'd have to put me in the room next to Mona"..........

At about 10pm, Erin and Katie arrived back at the hospital after a short break and shower, and Katie began to panic because she couldn't find Poppi's rosary that had been given to her after Poppi passed away in November 2006...... It is one of Katie's most coveted possessions.....

Katie was overwhelmed at the loss of the rosary; In tears, she crawled into an empty bed and sobbed uncontrollably ......

Now, a few days earlier, Debby promised Erin and Katie that she would never leave them and there would be evidence of this; - - - - Debby said to them, "whenever you find something unexpectedly, know that it was me who helped find it or put it there for you."

Meanwhile, a little after 10 pm, Lisa Kirk asked the family to join around Debby's bed.........Katie, in overwhelming tears because of the rosary, reluctantly joined the family around the bed.......

In a classic case of just being a mom, Julie Dietrick kept her eyes on Katie throughout the entire day, and just then, by no coincidence, Julie remembers where Katie went earlier in the day..........So, Julie goes there and........ she finds Poppi's rosary.....

Julie runs into Debby's room and gives the rosary to Katie, who is now in tears of joy that her treasure from Poppi had been found......

It was 10:15; and Katie looked up at her mom in amazement, knowing Debby had just fulfilled her latest promise on earth........

And then...........because she now proved to everyone her work on earth was done................Debby breathed her last, surrounded by Katie, Erin, Muffy and others.........

Erin and Katie were absolutely joyful thru tears that their mom was finally out of pain........... and they said, "It's just like mom to wait for us to get to the hospital" - - "ya know, she always waited for us and she always kept her promises to us."

What a joyful time it was at the hospital when Debby moved on to eternity.........

In remembrance of Debby, Scripture says it best:


June 30, 2007 - July 1, 2007

The steady stream of visitors continues - - - and Debby is taking the time to provide each with advice, words of encouragement and ultimately tearful good-byes.....This has gone on for days and its been non-stop - - - and is absolutely welcome and so beneficial for Debby......

The plan is on July 2, 2007 to heavily medicate Debby and then take her off the ventilator.....It is Debby's wish - - made in sound and sharp mind (and remember - -- broken and painful body......)

And so the family waits and says good-byes.....

Debby asked Mom, Jamie, Jenny, Danny and myself to come in so Debby and I could share the Word of God with them...... Debby started by asking a question (she can only move her lips - - she cannot speak with the trach/ventilator) or two to each person and then asked me to read Romans 10:9 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.......Each said they have done this and gave their word to Debby to continue in the meaning behind it...... In that regard, we'd love to have a bible study for any and all interested.......

When Debby was moving her lips to share some more information with the group above - -- an actual audible word came out of Debby's mouth - the first in well over 2 months - - everyone in the room heard it - - and heard it absolutely clearly - - - and all of us, including Debby, were completely stunned in silence immediately after we heard it - - and that word that we each heard was "heaven" - - - and Debby said matter of factly, "God has spoken......"

There are so many stories from these last few days - - and they are all so very precious...

Like the Dury boys taking Debby's wheelchair out for a "test drive" in the hallways of Seton at 11 pm one night, to the chagrin of the hospital employees - - - However, none of the employees were brave enough (or perhaps dumb enough) to confront the boys - - and how could they? - - Debby was in her bad laughing and cheering them on the whole time!!......

Debby's "neighbor" across the hall is named Margaret - - a very, very, old and sick woman..... While the hospital nurses assured us that Margaret was not in any pain, Margaret kept moaning out loud - - "help me", "get me out of here" and when words weren't available - - she just constantly groaned ......loudly......very loudly...Of course, Debby could hear her well being right across the hall - - and prior to the last 2 weeks it was very depressing for Debby...... But, since Debby made her decision to move on to eternity, she had a different take on Margaret - - first, she renamed her Mona (as in "Moan"-a) and later inquired of the nurse "Is she in pain or is she having sex?" What a wit Debby continues to have.......On Friday, Mona was to be moved to her daughter's home in order to live out her last few days......

We are so thankful for our "new" family members - Peggy Kline, Lisa and Mike Kirk, Julie Dietrick and Nancy Dury and family - - and certainly many, many others who have been so kind to our family - - - - they have provided so much support and encouragement - - - ....... They have been so wonderful and caring to my mom and Erin and Katie.....

There is no fear now - - no anger now - - - - only hope for what is to come for Debby...... We anxiously await her homecoming sometime soon..........


June 29, 2007

Debby's had a steady stream of friends stop by Seton to say their last good-byes...... It's almost surreal.....

Debby said she wants to see Danny and Janet before she moves on to her eternal home...... (Danny and Janet arrive today in Indianapolis......)

Sometime thereafter, perhaps Monday, Debby would be given proper medication and taken off the ventilator..... The rest is in the Lord's perfect timing.......

Thank you all for your prayers for Debby and the family.............

Debby is at tremendous peace with her decision and is excited to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Finally, she'll be in a place of no sorrow, no pain, no crying, no suffering, no disabilities NO WHEELCHAIRS ....and no death.........it is a place of all joy, all peace, all comfort and all praise for Christ.........

Debby is going to her real home - - her eternal home - - - and after we overcome our own sorrow over this loss of ours, can there be any other response from us but pure joy for Debby?

The suffering and the pain will soon be all over for Debby - - - 36 years of suffering from the effects of Muscular Dystrophy - - - -

and don't miss this - - - - the Lord promises one day to end all suffering on this earth……

So - - - why doesn't he just do it now?

What's holding Him up?

Some of us are……….

He's holding back the curtain of the close of history so that some of you might be touched by His love, that some of you may put your trust in Him, so that some of YOU may come to a relationship with Him and spend eternity in Heaven with Him. (and our Debby)..........

His Holy word says this:

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

Please, if you haven't done so, give your whole life to Christ now - the One who made you, Blessed you and has always Loved you - - - He wants to be with you forever in Paradise -- and this can only happen if you give your life to Him - as Debby has done....

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

(If you have something you'd like to share on this website, please email me at tdoyle@doz.net)


June 28, 2007 - 9:00am

Erin and Katie informed the family of their mom's (Debby's) wishes - - which was to not doing anything else for Debby other than to make her comfortable for her "homegoing" to Heaven.......Debby said she is done fighting and it's now time to go spend eternity in Heaven with Jody and Poppi and the saints who have given their lives to Christ and have left this world and gone to Heaven ........

Becky and I, Erin, Katie and Nancy Aiken Dury and Timmy Dury went to Seton last night to see Debby - - - and her face was shining - - her mood was excellent she was so funny and she is totally at peace with her decision...... God has provided her an inner joy in the midst of great, great suffering.......

Debby is prepared to leave this earth and be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..... for eternity.......... which is the goal of each and everyone of us who have given their lives to Christ....... We sorrow for our eventual loss - - - but Debby is so excited to finally, finally, finally go to her final home.........

Debby said this in a speech 2 years ago to a class at Bishop Chatard High School:

Debby is finishing her race - - - please join her (in prayer or in person) in this solemn, yet most joyful time in her life.

She, like Paul (of the Bible), will soon earn her crown:

2 Timothy 4:6-8 - - "6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.


June 27, 2007 - 8:30am

Debby has relayed some "wishes" to her daughters, Erin and Katie, which will be shared with the rest of the family tonight at the regular Wednesday night family dinner. More to come..........


June 26, 2007

From Becky:

"I just spoke to Barbara, and she said that Debby is alert and still on the vent. Her abdominal cavity is quite large right now--the good news is that it is air that is causing the swelling, not some other problem. So, they are working on that situation. She recommended that we move very quickly on doing whatever we need in order to get Debby on Medicaid. While she thinks insurance will cover the vent facility, she is not sure. The cost of the vent facility is substantially more than the cost of a skilled nursing care facility. I told her that I really wanted to go over everything with Debby before we did anything, but I need to know that Debby is mentally alert enough to get it. Barbara couldn't answer that one, and suggested that we just get moving on it. The sooner we can get Debby qualified for Medicaid, the better."


June 25, 2007 - 3pm

Muffy and Becky are at the hospital and Debby is awake and trying to lip-sync to them - - - but there is no way to understand what Debby's trying to say since she is now back on the ventilator (as of this morning)..........

Debby is clearly very tired and on some major medication ........

Debby is obviously frustrated - - as its difficult to understand Debby past the pleasantries of lip-syncing "hello Becky...."

On a brighter note - - Jenny just arrived and decorated the walls with artwork from Ellie (7 years old) and Hannah (4 years old) - - you just have to smile when you see their art!

On a funnier note - - Muffy may have set off a silent alarm by going thru the stairwell next to Debby's new room at Seton ........ Becky noticed cops driving quickly in from St. Vincent's (across the road) - - - and Becky thinks Muffy was the culprit.....Muffy's clearly back to her old Slovanian ways!


June 25, 2007 - 2pm

Katie Langsenkamp left for home (Florida) this morning......

Also, this morning, we received disheartening news - - - - - Debby was put back on the ventilator - -

Although we expected this would happen sometime - -- we certainly didn't expect it today............

This morning, Debby was not making sense in what she was lip-syncing (Debby is not able to talk) so the hospital did a blood-gas test (carbon dioxide level test) and determined the carbon dioxide in her blood was too high (carbon dioxide is what you breath out - - and its poisonous to the body - - - and Debby is not able to do that - so the vent is required).......

The staff thinks it may be difficult to wean her off the vent..... Lisa Kirk thinks Debby will be on the ventilator a few days before she is lucid (awake) enough to respond to the situation......And then, we'll go from there.........

Barbara Carter (Debby's Case Manager) feels that it's best to look at a "Vent facility" as opposed to a "skilled nursing facility" whenever Debby is ready to move on from Seton (the hospital where Debby currently is).....

More to come......

Pray for Debby !


June 24, 2007

Debby had a great day today - - - - a number of friends and family came to see Debby today and Debby was wonderful...... Of course, Katie Langsenkamp (Katie Lang) is a huge reason why she's doing so well - - - Katie Lang's visit from Florida and the care and attention she's given Debby has been absolutely phenomenal - - Katie has such a servant's heart - we are so blessed to have her as part of the family !

Every day, Muffy (Debby's mom) is at the hospital rubbing Debby's feet and taking care of Debby, also .....Muffy recently (November 2006) lost her husband of 51 years (Jim Doyle) to cancer - - and yet, Muffy never misses spending the day with Debby......

Katie Lang and Muffy are role models by their actions - - - by showing such love and devotion to their family, we are assured that the next generation of Doyle's and Langsenkamp's have received ample evidence of the importance of serving the family........

In addition to all the regulars who are always hanging out with Debby (like Lisa Kirk and Peggy Kline), Debby had another visitor - Helen Collins - a person of deep faith who prayed at Debby's bedside - - and also had gifts for Erin and Katie .... Helen bought two blessed rosaries from Fatima (in Portugal) for the two girls to have......Helen gave Debby a blessed medal from the Pope and she "loaned" a "Divine Mercy" picture of Christ and put it in view of Debby (who is bed ridden)......... Debby's face lit-up when she saw the familiar picture..........Helen prayed fervently by Debby's bedside for God's will to be evident for Debby's life - - - Helen prayed for a complete healing for Debby also...... Her visit was truly a blessing to Debby and Helen said , "Debby will receive the grace of Christ to endure this trial...."


June 22, 2007

Katie Langsenkamp (Debby's cousin from Ft. Lauderdale, FLA.) came into town to see Debby.... And all the Doyle's wanted to talk about was the "Lang" (Langsenkamp) girls........ We were so blessed to meet, for the first time, Stevie's kids over the Indy 500 weekend (Laura and Amy)........ What wonderful kids - - - and we needed updates from Katie on the 2 girls - - - and all the stories of their Midwest trip - - - we heard Laura took over 430 pictures!

We are so blessed to have all the girls as family - - - Emily and Annie and Jimmy's kids (we've got to meet them also)- - - we can't hear enough about them !!! The whole "Lang" family is always in our prayers......


June 18, 2007

Erin, Muffy, and Jenny have contributed the following - - - - Debby has had good days every day since Sunday. Debby was in a fabulous and talkative mood on Monday, and was asking Muffy lots of questions about her (Muffy's) childhood. Today, Jenny said that Debby was sitting in a recliner chair (not her wheelchair). Her mood is good, and she is very excited that her cousin, Katie, will be coming to visit her this weekend!! Erin and I will be meeting with an Elder Law attorney this afternoon. I met with one yesterday, and left the meeting with a completely scrambled brain! The good news is that there are legal and quick options to manage Debby's money in such a way to get her to qualify for Medicaid. Hopefully, the attorney today will be just as optimistic.

Prayer is powerful - - Please continue to pray for Debby.........


June 17, 2007

Celebrated Katie's (Debby's daughter) 17th birthday on Saturday with the family, which of course Debby could not attend.... It makes Debby so sad that she can't be included - - and sadder still that Debby's is not orchestrating such an event..... Her kids (Erin and Katie) are her passion............ Met with Debby's doctor today - - she said Debby is improving, her vitals are stable and the medicine prescribed is addressing her infection.... Debby is experiencing terrible stomach nausea today, but one nurse felt like this may be in part due to Debby beginning to eat normal food again....... Debby was alert, responsive and conversant (though you have to read her lips)..... She had a lot of visitors today and truly loves the company........ Debby asked everyone to pray for her; pray for the Lord's will to be clear to Debby and that she follow His will; pray for peace and comfort for Debby; pray for an answer to her depression; pray for answers on her move from Seton to a nursing home (no new news on this issue) and pray for wisdom, patience and love from the doctors and nurses at Seton........

At Seton, family and friends of Debby have met alot of wonderful people - doctors nurses, other patients and family members of other patients......On many occasions, I've had the chance to meet and chat with one very old lady who "lived" across the hall from Debby....... On Monday, June 18, 2007, this lady will leave Seton and be transferred to St. Vincent's Hospice..... Pray for her and her family as she will soon "go home" to be with the Lord.....("John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.")

Remember Paul's words from the Bible in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 - - (his words are so appropriate in Debby's case in that Debby is weak and tired - - both physically and mentally - - and in that condition, the Lord can be strong through her......):

7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


June 15, 2007

Update - - all of the nursing homes applied for have turned down Debby. Barbara said she will remain at Seton until another alternative can be found........ Tough news - - but again - support that she just cant come home and have reliable service at this point......


June 14, 2007

We are still in the process of finding a nursing home that will take Debby as a patient. One company that has facilities all over Indy declined to take Debby because of the amount of care that she would require. (This is fairly strong evidence that she could not receive proper care at home - - I mean, there are places of business that are designed to work with long-term care patients that believe Debby's required care is more than even they can handle!..... ). This is important - - - Barbara did state that it is not uncommon for patients to be declined by nursing homes - - happens all the time according to Barbara.......

. Becky said, "Another company looked at Debby last week, and I'm not exactly sure what the final determination was from them. Their facilities are located in Carmel, Anderson, Avon, and the South side. Obviously, if they do take Debby, we desperately need to be able to place her in the Carmel location. I hope to talk to Barbara tomorrow (Thursday) to see what that company decided."

As is common knowledge, Debby does not want to go to a nursing home facility....... From a cost and care perspective, we have no choice...... Debby has been clear to all of us the past 2 weeks that she is tired of fighting........

2 quotes to think about:

"A sick bed teaches more than any sermon." Thomas Watson

"What about the person who seldom, if ever, ventures outside her apartment? The prisoner in isolation? Loneliness mixed with affliction is a dangerous potion. Yet, are we ever truly alone? People may not be noticing, but the spiritual world is. Angels, along with powers and principalities in the heavenly realms, are watching, listening and learning. Angels - even demons - are intensely interested in the thoughts and affections of every human being. The life of the most insignificant man is a battlefield on which the mightiest forces of the universe converge in warfare - this elevates the status of the lowliest and least person on earth. There are reasons for our sufferings; for us, for others, for the glory of God, and for the heavenly hosts." Joni Eareckson Tada


June 7, 2007

An email from Becky: "Medicaid is not going to be easy to get because of income restrictions. Michelle Lehmann recommended that we get an Elder Attorney to help us figure out how to legally protect money so that she will qualify for Medicaid. I've left a message with Rob Doyle to see if he can refer an Elder Attorney. Erin will get her work schedule for the next week later this afternoon, so once she knows her schedule, we will figure out when we can go back down to the Social Security Office. Michelle Lehmann was blown away by our family. She usually deals with families who are fighting and pulling power plays, and she couldn't believe that Debby was surrounded by so many family members and friends who were just trying to help."


June 6, 2007

A big meeting was held today for Debby and alot of folks attended - - Barbara Carter (case mgr), Stacy Nicholson (social services), Amy Gaines (nurse) and Michelle Lehman (Medicaid asst.) and alot of family and friends - Mom, Erin and Katie (Debby's daughters), Jamie, Jenny, Becky, Ellie T. Walker and I (Debby's family), and Lisa Kirk, Peggy Klein and Julie Dietrick (friends).....

couple points on financing - -

couple points on a skilled nursing home - -

the need.....

the desire....


June 4, 2007

Email from Jamie - - (Debby's sister)

Hi guys! I just got back from seeing Debby - she looks great by the way - and Barbara Carter was there discussing how to get Debby home!!!! Anyway, she would like to meet with everyone on Weds. morning June 6th at 9:30am in Debby's room - she wants to inform the family what steps she has already taken and who she has contacted in trying to get Deb home - We are looking at 24/7 care - Erin - could you please notify Joe, Katie, and Lisa Kirk about this meeting and see if they can join us - and along that vein if there is anyone else anyone can think of that should be there please just invite them to come Also, if anyone is going out to see Deb, she would like to put in a standing order for Steak and Shake - she likes a single with cheese and pickle, and a Jr.. chocolate shake! Thanks Jamie Ismail


June 3, 2007

Today, Lisa Kirk, Peggy Kline (sp?), my wife Becky and I had a wonderful time with Debby..... Debby looked great and was very "communicative" (you had to read her lips - but Debby had some wonderful comments - - she kept us all in "stitches")..... It was amazing to see Debby so responsive - - - what a blessing !!

"Persistence in prayer is a mark of one who is faithful". - John Calvin.......... So - - keep praying fro Debby !!


June 1, 2007 - An update from Debby's dear friend Lisa Kirk:

"As of last night Debby is still off the vent since Sat. If she continues to do so well, she will be able to be discharged before long. Barb, the case manager is (and has been) checking to see how her home care needs can be met. Again the problem is that her insurance doesn't cover that service, and as you know home nursing is very costly. They did determine that her vocal cords will not recover so she won't be able to speak. They did a swallow test today so she may be able to have more than water and ice soon. Take Care!" - Lisa