Friday – still hanging in

I’m going to make it short tonight (I think) as I am one tired cookie, it was a looong night. Chris started his day at 7:00 AM with wanting to sit up and still had some control over his arms and hands. He had very minimal strength to sit up today and was so frustrated with me that I was helping him. After a bit, I convinced him to lay back down then he gives me his hands and I tug from the top and he does a little scoot to get back up the bed. This morning there was no scooting, just him, full weight. The guy has gone 12 or 13 days (lost count) without eating and lost many pounds but there’s still enough of him that I was struggling. 

The nurse came mid-morning to give him a once over and said his vitals were still in the low normal range. That he could be here for another 72 hours. To this, I seriously laughed out loud. Christopher Simmons is going to leave this world on his own schedule, not when “it typically” will happen. Would you expect anything less from him… really? 

After the nurse left, he did not wake, not even when giving his meds. He is no longer moving either, except those darn eyebrows. All afternoon I kept whispering in his ear that it was ok to move on. That he is a brave man and he has prepared us to be ok. All I got were closed eyelids with eyebrows frowning. At about 10:00 tonight, when I gave him his night meds he opened his eyes when I was trying to squish his cheeks to get the liquid meds down. His look was priceless, like “What the hell are you doing” and he swallowed the liquid no problem. Preston came running into the room when he heard that dad’s eyes were open. There we stood the two of us inches from his face to make sure he saw us, saying love messages, waiting for him to say something and we get, “Back up” in a very low voice. There was the third giggle today. I’m so proud that for being in such an emotionally low situation, we can still get a family laugh to happen. 

Let’s see what tomorrow brings, I can’t even guess anymore. 

13 comments on “Friday – still hanging in”

  1. Bruce was having a hard time tonight. Tomorrow is the golf show and Chris had planned on meeting him there and then getting some lunch. They planned it all last summer. Those two and their plans.

  2. He is very brave, and will be here fighting as long as he can.

    His good humour is still present.

    Chris is definitely an amazing person.

    I am so impressed on how brave you all are…

    God bless this awesome family. Give him a hug from Marcio. I will keep sending you a lot of good energy.

  4. You all are so brave and strong. It is a good thing to still find things to laugh about. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

  6. This is the final stretch of the marathons – and he is still such a runner! Bless all of you for your strength and love.

  7. Your last post was so good, it made me laugh. It helped! Yes, he’s still calling the shots, love it!

  8. Glad you and Preston can still get a glimpse of Chris and a giggle. Being bedside during the active dying process brings an unbelievable exhaustion. I hope you can snuggle up next to Chris on your “hospital bed/couch made for two” and get some restful sleep. Praying for you all.

  9. So great to have Chris make us all laugh again. His spirit and drive are unchanged even though his physical body reached its limit. Even through tears of sadness I look forward to having Chris as bad ass guardian angel looking out for all of us. Oh the things he will do.

  11. You guys are probably the strongest family I know I like ready this every day and am so very said that one day soon these will stop ….. 😢

  12. Your strength is beyond anything I could imagine. I miss you terribly. You are all in my prayers and I love you guys

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