Delphine and Bryan Coupland ~ Our Family Journey: HOW DOES HOSPICE WORK?

Monday, December 5, 2016

HOW DOES HOSPICE WORK?

Our family is learning, one day at a time. We know that all this is not a surprise to our dear Lord Jesus and I’m sure He has much to teach us.

I am particularly thankful for our three kids (actually adults) and their spouses who have really stepped up to help in a big way—providing meals, taking turns spending days and nights here with us, and being fellow counselors.

Del has definitely slowed down physically. Her meds are designed to keep her comfortable and free of pain. The downside is that they also make her want to sleep a lot. So our chorus is often: “1. How about another glass of water? 2. Would you like to walk down the hallway again to keep your leg muscles toned? 3. Could you eat just a little bit more?”

We are also thankful for the kind and caring thoughts that we receive from friends. One such note shared verses from 2 Corinthians 4:16-17, which we appreciated so much: “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison…” What a promise!

~Bryan Coupland

Mom with Dan & Kari's youngest Riley

This weekend Mom & Dad with some of "the kids" :)

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Dear Friends

News update from the Couplands…

It seems like when we go through a serious trial in our lives, the Lord will often give us a verse or verses of Scripture that we can hold onto as our source of strength and hope. Early on, the Lord gave Del and I verses from 2 Chronicles 20 which were so comforting.

~Verse 12 – “For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

~Verse 15 – “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS BUT GOD’S.”

~Verse 17 – “You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf…”

Our dear wife, mother, grandmother, and now great grandmother, Del, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer. By the time it was accurately diagnosed, it was already stage IV. Del was not in the best physical condition when she had her first chemo on Nov. 9, and the chemo just dragged her down further. Our oncologist, who also treated my lymphoma 2 years ago, admitted her to Allegiance Hospital in Jackson, MI where for four days, she tried to build up Del’s condition with blood transfusions, and numerous IV’s. Since the cancer was beyond the point of being treated effectively, and Del could no longer tolerate the chemo, the only solution was ‘hospice care.’ This was an excruciating choice for the family, but it was beyond human control, and we wanted Del to be comfortable at all cost. As an aside, Del won the hearts of so many of the nurses and aides, and had different opportunities to talk to the medical staff about Jesus. Her oncologist was a dear lady and a believer, and the two of them really bonded.

We had the choice of Del going to Allegiance Hospice House or going home to our apartment and having Home Hospice Care, where they equip your residence with all the equipment you need including a hospital bed. Then a nurse is assigned to you along with a nurse’s aide; the nurse comes by two times a week to check on her condition, adjust her meds, and help with the medical decisions. The aide bathes the patient and meets the other physical needs. And the family loves on Del, provides the meals, and encouragement. I don’t know what we would do without our three kids and their spouses. We have formed a team and the Lord is leading us as our Head. We would appreciate your prayer that God would have His desired outcome and that He would be glorified in all things.

Thank you.