Bruce is Leaving Us

It has been an incredible journey since December 6, 2008, but now we see that Bruce is ready for the end. About 3 weeks ago, Bruce moved to a Hospice facility where he could enjoy sharing a room with Shelly, be free from some of the restrictions of a conventional hospital and enjoy some of the things you have seen on the pictures below. This time has given Bruce and Shelly a chance to be a couple again. To have visits that were not scheduled, and share time 24 hours a day. It has given them both a tremendous amount of peace.
They came to hospice willing to accept whatever path the Lord put before them. During these 3 weeks Bruce has shown some areas of incredible improvement. He has been eating and drinking food (within limits). One day he even had a little Dixie cup of beer! He showed an increase in urine output even though he has been off dialysis. So much so his doctors did a blood test to see if there was improvement in his kidneys. There was not. And now the bad days have started outnumbering the good ones. We see that he is preparing to pass.
A couple days ago his temperature was all the way down to 94. It's higher now, but still low. His heart rate is 118. His potassium level is rising. The blessing of all of this is that kidney failure is one of the most pleasant ways to pass on. As certain levels begin to rise he will begin sleeping more and more. (This has begun.) And then when the Lord is ready, his electrical system will just stop and he will be in Heaven. There will be no pain and no struggle.
Bruce and Shelly have talked a lot about what to do over the last month. They also talked about situations like this long before the accident happened. They are both at peace with how this is ending. Please be sure they both hope for and are willing to accept a miracle. But they will allow death to come, if that is God's will.
As things develop, we will let you know here. Thank you for your continued prayers.
So now we pray:

• Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you. Go forth, faithful Christian!
  May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, with Joseph, and all the angels and saints.
  May you return to your Creator who formed you from the dust of the earth. May you see your Redeemer face to face. Amen.