Easter Week

As a Pastor said this week “Jesus is victorious in pain, suffering and death. We need not worry. ” It reminds so many of us of Joe’s journey.  While his pain and suffering continue to increase, we trust in the Lord that soon his pain and suffering will cease.  Until then, we are all suffering along with him.  As only Joe can do, he tries everything he can to minimize our pain by trying so hard to make things as “normal” as possible. He talks, visits and jokes with us even though we know he is suffering.

Joe had a couple bad falls this week.  He got confused when the doorbell rang and went out the garage door while I was in the shower and Shelli was answering the front door.  He fell and hit the car.  His elbow swelled up like a softball and became “fire engine” red.  Hospice said he developed an internal infection from the falls and we had to put him back on IV antibiotics.  Happy to report they have worked and he no longer complains of elbow pain.  The other fall came in the bathroom and I couldn’t catch him in time.  He scraped his arm and bruised his side.  Typical Joe, no complaints.  I just apply antibiotic cream and bandage him up.

Easter day was a blessing.  We never thought Joe would be with us to celebrate this glorious day, so that in itself was our miracle.  We had 20 family members there and Joe sat at the table with us and enjoyed his Popsicle while we ate an Easter feast.  Joe was so happy he could do that and so happy we kept things “normal”.  We had an Easter Egg hunt for the kids (Joe was too sick to join in or watch), but Edison and Quinn did share all their excitement about the day with Papa Joe while he lay in bed listening to them.  It was another blessing. 



Joe with his parents, sister Julie and Brother in Law Mike

Joe with Shelli, Amanda and Candace

Joe having Easter dinner with the Family



Easter night, Joe’s pain just escalated.  He never slept longer than 45 minutes at a time and became very confused and started hallucinating.  The flood gates opened on my end, which didn’t help the situation.  We held each other tight that evening and Hospice was there in the morning to evaluate the situation.  They suspect that the cancer that has been present on top of Joe’s liver is now penetrating in the liver.  The liver rids toxins from the body and when it can’t function, the toxins build up in the brain and cause these problems.  They’ve added another medication to Joe’s list.  We were hoping it would help him sleep more, hallucinate less and make him more comfortable (even at the expense of losing alert time with him).  The girls and I think it has helped, but not as much as we had hoped.  Maybe it will in time.  Until then, Joe continues to get up numerous (and I mean numerous) times a day -24/7, struggles more than he ever has and now has a constant pain level higher than ever before.  Our job is to continue praying for Joe’s comfort and to do whatever we can to put that Joe Kahler smile on his face...even if it is for just a moment. 

Thank you for doing your part with your prayers, support, cards, gifts and messages for Joe and our family.  You help ease all our pain with your love, prayers and support.

Happy Easter and God Bless you all,

Sherrie