Living with Bob and "Al"

The beginning of the end chapter 28

For whatever reason "the boys" would not let go, and that place between life and death lingered on. Sheri and the girls stole the mattress from Bobs old bed and placed it on the floor next to the hospital bed that guarded Bobs lifeless body. Sheri rested on the floor next to him.  The low chest rattle of Bob's breathing was both a comfort that he was still with her, yet prevented her from sleeping for fear she would miss his final breath. Hospice was amazed he was holding on so much longer than expected, his physical appearance had deteriorated well beyond a point that human eyes should see.
but one thing it did confirm for Sheri, was that this body we are in, this shell, is only whats protects our souls while we are on this earth, it does not define who we are.

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
 

Living with Bob and "Al"

The beginning of the end chapter 25

Bob and "Al" were in a shared room, and because both of her daughters and their husbands were there constantly, they allowed Bob and "Al" to move to another room they needed privacy desperately. The faculty only had one other room available, they were using half of the room for storage of new kitchen cabinets stacked double high that were to be installed next week. The smell of fresh wood, stain and cardboard permeated the room. Has they have done so many times before on this very long journey, Sheri and the girls had tearful giggles knowing that Bob, the fix anything, build any thing man was right at home, these were smells that Bob would not have found offensive, as Bob the man who managed a hardware store and mixed paint all day, was very familiar with. The irony of the situation brought more laughter, that was really grief running down their faces.

Revelation 21:4 “And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Living with Bob and "Al"

 The beginning of the end chapter 24
Sheri was overwhelmed, scrambling to make funeral arrangements.She had know idea how expensive a funeral was.  All in for casket burial $12,000.00 dollars with the least expensive casket. One funeral director  (who could tell Sheri was trying to be practical ) told Sheri to come to come back after he passed. Sheri felt like he thought she would by a more expensive casket in her grief.
At any rate, Bob had lost the ability to swallow and the expected date went from 10 days to 2 or three in the blink of an eye. 

2 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Living with Bob and "Al"

The beginning of the end Chapter 20

For the first week things seem to settle down a little, the aids felt like "the boys" were more awake during the morning, so Sheri tried to get there before work as often as she could. She tried to help feed "them". They were quickly losing their ability to swallow, (something that already started before hospice.) The soft creamy food was barely going down. Aspiration was a big concern at this point. Sheri was tired, and seeing Bob like this was heartbreaking.

Living with Bob and "Al"

The beginning of the end chapter 19

Hospice evaluated  "the boys". At first evaluation they thought "they" were in pretty rough shape, Sheri reminded them that he was still under a tremendous amount of drugs. Hospice agreed to reevaluate the next day. When they came back the next day they were surprised to see the "the boys" a little more alert and trying to swallow while being fed. The head hospice nurse said was glad to see him rebound a little. She thought it could be 3-6 months, and explained that everyone is different.
Sheri took a deep breath.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri has been taking a little break from recounting the beginning of the end with Bob and "Al". Although she believes it is really helping her to go through this process Sheri believes she is experiencing something that she likens to PTSD. So she did what she does to help with her stress, she got out very early before work with her camera. The fog was beautiful.. and quite appropriate for Sheri's state of mind.
Isaiah 41:10
 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 

Living with Bob and "Al"

The beginning of the end Chapter 17

As it turned out, hospice could not get there until about 1:00 in the afternoon. Sheri was past drained, tired, a better description would be numb and zombie like. She had called daughters one and two and explained what was happening. They both headed out to the facility and were there for the meeting with hospice. Such beautiful, grown up young ladies God has blessed Sheri with. 

Living with Bob and "Al"

The beginning of the end Chapter 16

After assuring the aid that she did the right thing, She explained that she had a meeting with hospice in the morning. The aid was teary eyed, and Sheri settled in to chair in 'the boy's" room , to wait out the rest of the night/morning until hospice would arrive. The aid went on about her routine, it was not long after the aid left the room that the tears in the aides eyes started running down Sheri's cheeks.

Living with Bob and "Al"

The beginning of the end Chapter 12

Sheri tried to unwind on the 30 minute drive home. She was so tired she was afraid she might fall asleep behind the wheel and she felt numb inside and out. She got home about 10 pm and collapsed onto the bed. She woke up at 3:30 am to find she had missed 4 calls from the nurse that was on call.

Living without Bob and "Al"

Sheri feels like a fish out of water.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is struggling to accept that Bob is truly gone. How can it be?

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri has been trying hard to get out with her camera and commune with nature in hopes of getting some relief from the feelings she is having. She knows that is probably unrealistic, but it is hard to work and have these overwhelming feelings sitting on her heart. and it is apparently even harder to keep them from seeping out the corner of her eyes.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri feels like she is going to throw up.

Living with Bob and "Al"

For those of you that are local who may wish to attend:

Funeral services for Bob Zschocher
Saturday May 26th, 2018
1:30 pm

Cross of Glory Church
4600 Shady Oak Rd.
Hopkins, MN 55343

Thank you,
Sheri

Living with Bob and "Al"

Thank you for all your prayers and support

                            Bob and "Al"

March 29th 1943 - May 22nd 2018                         

Pause, praise, pray

                      

 

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri only thought the last ten years was the hard part.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is so proud of daughter number1 and daughter number 2. They have grown into such compassionate caring young adults. They truly understand the devastation this disease brings. Each week they visit their Dad and they sing to him, very German Bob loved this song. The others in the facility enjoy their music as well. Sheri loves her children with all her heart. God is good.

Living with Bob and "Al"

This morning while Sheri was sitting on patio drinking her coffee, the first humming bird of the season flew right up with in inches of Sheri's face and stayed there for several seconds. A smile spread across Sheri's face as she heard the soft hum of it's wings. It felt like it was looking straight at her, and as it flew away Sheri thought she heard it calling "come follow me, there is so much more of this life to lead."

Living with Bob and "Al"

Pause, praise and pray. Pause praise and pray. Pause, praise and pray....

Living with Bob and "Al"

Okay, Sheri...brand new day, you CAN do this.
Thank you Lord.