Doctor Paul, MD

A small-town doctor working to preserve the art of old-fashioned primary care.

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We tread on holy ground

October 5, 2019 by Paul Williams 29 Comments

Thank you Father for answered prayers, for your Spirit’s work in our hearts and minds. Thank you all for your faithful prayers, for your comments, and holding us up in prayer.

It has been a difficult week. Theresa continues to decline. She sleeps or rests 22-23 hours a day, waking up or alerting when talked to or someone comes into the room. She hasn’t eaten in 4 days, but is still drinking 8-12 oz of water a day. She chokes often when drinking water, so my nurse graciously got some thickener for us. She of course still prefers straight water. We decided today to significantly reduce the pills she is taking and only limit it to that which makes her more comfortable. We have liquid forms when that time comes.

Despite having the new bed, she wanted to sleep in the recliner last night, which she said was more comfortable, so for now that is where she will stay. God has been very kind to us. For a long time Theresa coughed and coughed all day and night – a very exhausting ordeal. In addition she had intense chest pain. For the past two weeks as she has declined, she hasn’t been coughing other than when she cokes or after talking a while. Her chest discomfort seems managed too. So for the most part she rests comfortably. Thank you Father and thank you for your prayers.

Theresa has gotten very weak. She needs help getting out of the chair and walking. I assist her in showering and brushing her hair. She gets very dizzy, short of breath, and exhausted afterwards. I don’t believe we will do this many more times.

I worked through Friday, but then hit a wall. I have been praying for the Spirit to help me make wise decisions. My nurses wanted me to take this past week off, but I didn’t feel it was time yet. Then my office manager convinced me to close my schedule 3 days next week, which we did. But then by noon Friday, it was obvious my heart and mind wasn’t at work but at home and I realized I needed to be home caring for Theresa.

We have had many offers of help, of which we are so very grateful. But Theresa is a private person and would have felt uncomfortable if someone other than I took care of her, which I gladly do. So for now I have taken the next two weeks off to care for my bride, my best friend of 26 years. Oh it is so very painful to go through this, yet I am honored to be here serving her until I can put her hand in Christ’s and he takes her home.

We plan on contacting Hospice this week to help us through the last steps, to make sure Theresa is as comfortable as possible.

Theresa’s greatest desire now is to pass in her sleep. She has had the feeling she can’t breath with her effusions growing and lymph nodes growing making it harder to breath. She gets panicked at times through out the day. One of her medications helps limit these times. So our request is prayer for comfort, peace, not having the sensation of suffocation and that she would transition to eternity in the comfort of sleep.

Christ is our example of unconditional love, facing the difficult straight on, persevering despite the pain and anguish. He is the road we trod to abundant and eternal life. His promises are rock solid, and can be counted on. Nothing on earth can come close, actually a large chasm exists between what the world promises and what He promises and He bridges that gap for us. All glory belongs to Him. In these difficult days the invisible is becoming visible. this is holy ground.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

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Filed Under: Breast Cancer - our new normal

Comments

  1. Mitch & DeLynne Dietz says

    October 5, 2019 at 2:16 pm

    DeLynne and I send you and and Theresa and family our love and prayers. We love you guys.

    Reply
  2. Kari Dietz says

    October 5, 2019 at 3:02 pm

    Prayers for you all during this difficult time.

    Reply
  3. Toni Belveal says

    October 5, 2019 at 6:49 pm

    Most heartfelt prayers of comfort and peace, and prayers that Theresa’ feeling of suffocation will be released. She is where she wants to be, having you care for her. A blessing for you both. God has been so faithful, thank you for teaching us grace as you haved walked this journey. To God be the Glory.

    Reply
  4. Mara Kim says

    October 5, 2019 at 7:20 pm

    Theresa, thank you for being so wonderful. I love you so much! You have taught me to look at the positive. Like I always say, “You are an Angel!”❤️

    To the Williams Family, we pray that Jesus wraps His arms around you and gives you the peace that passes all understanding.

    Passing the phone to Dominic…

    Theresa, I am praying for you and I love you. Here’s my verse for you:

    “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

    John 3:16-18

    Love, The Kim Family

    Reply
  5. Tim says

    October 5, 2019 at 8:14 pm

    Be strong. We’re all praying for you.

    Reply
  6. Wayne and Linda Clugston says

    October 5, 2019 at 9:38 pm

    May the quiet presence of the Lord surround each of you.
    Wayne and Linda

    Reply
  7. Jennie Brandt says

    October 6, 2019 at 7:27 am

    You have our prayer and we continue to pray for Theresa’s comfort and your peace of mind.

    Reply
  8. Jeffrey Sorensen says

    October 6, 2019 at 8:01 am

    We are praying for you both.

    Reply
  9. Carol & Marcus Johns says

    October 6, 2019 at 10:53 am

    We have been with you in prayer and spirit from the start on this painful difficult journey for Theresa, you and your children. We were grateful to hear that you could take one more family vacation to a place Theresa loves so much. Thank you for sharing this difficult and deeply personal experience with us. Our prays now are for Theresa to pass quietly and painlessly and for you and your family to find peace. You are deeply loved by so many.

    Reply
  10. DeAnna Rooklidge says

    October 6, 2019 at 1:37 pm

    Praying God’s peace and His presence for your family. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
    ❤️ The Rooklidges

    Reply
  11. Nancy says

    October 6, 2019 at 7:18 pm

    Praying for Theresa’s comfort and God’s peace surrounding her. Thank you for your faithfulness to her and your trust in Jesus.

    Reply
  12. Glenn Palmer says

    October 6, 2019 at 7:53 pm

    You are in my thoughts and prayers. Praying for grace, peace and strength for your entire family.

    Reply
  13. Kim Wamsley says

    October 6, 2019 at 9:38 pm

    Praying for Theresa to feel comfort and peace

    Reply
  14. Debbie says

    October 7, 2019 at 4:23 am

    Getting to know Theresa has been one of my greatest blessings. I will never forget the face she made when she thought I was coming over to care for her knowing full well she wanted her best Friend and husband with her till the end of this earthly life, and even then, one is lucky to have a true love like that which will go on forever. Dr Paul, thank you for your wisdom and for walking the walk. It is such an honor to know you both.

    Reply
  15. Pearl Moltz says

    October 7, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    My love and prayers are with you, Theresa and your family at this time. Prayers for strength and healing and peace. Much love.

    Reply
  16. Steve and Jan Whearty says

    October 7, 2019 at 3:41 pm

    Steve and I are praying for Theresa, you and the family.

    Reply
  17. Lyndsay Walker says

    October 7, 2019 at 4:56 pm

    Continued prayers and love for your family

    Reply
  18. Jenni Bodnar says

    October 7, 2019 at 6:03 pm

    Praying for you Dr. Paul and your precious family. God bless you as you usher sweet Theresa into peace with her loving savior. God be with you in these final days and moments.

    Reply
  19. Doris and Bill says

    October 7, 2019 at 6:38 pm

    Dr Paul, Theresa, and your loving family,
    Bill and I send our heart-felt wishes for peace, comfort, and love as this journey is nearing its end. What a beautiful way to picture this as placing Theresa’s hand into the Lord’s. May your strength be buoyed by all the love that surrounds you!

    Reply
  20. Janet Anderen says

    October 7, 2019 at 6:39 pm

    We are continuing to pray with all of you for your precious Theresa and for you and your precious family! Sending you all much love!!!

    Reply
  21. Linda says

    October 7, 2019 at 6:42 pm

    Praying for Theresa’s comfort in these days to come. Praying for you as well and your family. She is blessed to have you all. May God bring you all peace.
    I’m so sorry you are all going through this hard time.

    Reply
  22. Jim Parker says

    October 7, 2019 at 6:58 pm

    Paul, Theresa and family; love you all and will continue to pray for all of you. For comfort and peace for Theresa, for strength and determination for you, Paul, as well as tenderness and long-standing compassion, and for the boys to know His peace despite very painful and deep loss. May His love overshadow all. Your family is the best!

    Reply
  23. Alan and Sherri Hamilton says

    October 7, 2019 at 7:07 pm

    Our prayers continually go out for you and your family at this time.

    Reply
  24. Barb and Steve Freeman says

    October 7, 2019 at 7:49 pm

    Dear Dr. Paul, Theresa and family. . . Praying for the peace of God to fill your hearts, His comfort to whisper in your ears day and night and His sweet presence to hold you tight. . . Our hearts are hurting knowing you all are going through such a difficult time. . . .

    Reply
  25. Suzanne Tereski says

    October 7, 2019 at 8:29 pm

    Prayers for your whole family for peace and strength.

    Reply
  26. Sherrie Conrad says

    October 8, 2019 at 12:52 am

    Continuing to pray & petition the almighty for comfort, strength, & sweet peace for all of you. Know we are with you in prayer & spirit. Blessings

    Reply
  27. Kimberly says

    October 8, 2019 at 7:40 am

    Bless Your Hearts My Prayers are With You I’m So Very Sorry. Praying for Theresa’s Comfort & for God to Ease Your Heart.

    Reply
  28. Linda Amondson-Muller says

    October 8, 2019 at 8:01 am

    Prayers Dr. Paul for strength in this declining process each and every hours. This transition is not easy but your love, and care alone is a blessing for your family. Gods love for all of you is never wavering.

    Reply
  29. Debbie OConnor says

    October 8, 2019 at 2:56 pm

    I pray God’s peace fills and surrounds you all. I have had you all on my heart continually and I will keep praying. ❤️

    Reply

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About Doctor Paul

Dr. Paul Williams, MD is a small-town family practice doctor working in Centralia, Washington. He works from the same office where his primary care practice was established by his father over 38 years ago. He believes strongly that the art of the old-fashioned primary care doctor is an important feature of our medical system that should be preserved and protected from excess interference from insurance companies and government regulation alike.

Due to changes in the health care industry and regulations affecting it, and in an effort to preserve the art of old-fashioned primary care, Dr. Paul has shifted his practice to a Direct Care model, meaning that patients pay an affordable monthly fee to purchase primary care health care services directly, rather than having their services billed through an insurance company.

This blog is intended to help Dr. Paul's patients (and anyone else!) understand the changes the medical industry is going through, and to provide information about the Direct Care model of primary care.

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