T-Ball!!!

Joe and our son-in-law, Doug had always planned to coach all levels of baseball together.  Unfortunately, Joe is not able to do that, but Doug did continue on with the goal.  Joe was so glad and supportive.  When Joe heard Edison's 1st game was Saturday, he said he wanted to go.  The girls and I decided we would do everything we could to get him there.  At midnight Joe started to get out of bed and wanted to get ready for the game.  I had to tell him it wasn't until 10:00 am the next day, so back to bed he went.  We did get up in plenty of time to get Joe showered, dressed and give him some pain meds so he could make the trip to the ball field.  Joe couldn't walk to the field, but thanks to Hospice, we have a wheelchair for him.  We got there in time and Joe saw Edison get his first hit.  It was a classic T-Ball moment...swing and a miss, swing and a miss, swing and hit the ball, chase the ball, pick the ball up on the way to first base!  We will never forget it and laughs and joy that came from it.  Joe wanted to stay for the entire game, so we saw Edison play defense and hit the ball a few more times (and learn not to pick up the ball on his way to 1st base).  When we got Joe home, he was exhausted, but so happy he made it.  He said that he was so glad that God let him get to the game.  He also said he wondered if that was what God was waiting for...to make sure Joe got to the game.  We don't know, but just his words had us all in tears.

Here are some pictures from this priceless day.
 

Edison's 1st time at Bat with Dad (Doug) coaching

Joe and his grandkids Quinn and Edison, after the game

The rest of the week has been difficult.  Joe only sleeps 1-2 hours at a time.  He's had a couple bad falls (he continues to try and do things on his own), the pain is increasing and things are just challenging.  On another positive note though, after several calls and lots of frustration, I finally got the insurance company and Hospice to agree to increase Joe's calories from 545/day to 1100/day.  He was losing a pound a day and I really thought they were starving him to death.  I've come to terms that Joe will pass away from cancer, but I could not sit by and let him starve to death.  It is definitely helping and Joe doesn't obsess about food the way he was.  We'll see in a couple days if it helps put a few pounds back on him and hopefully give him some more strength.

Speaking of strength, thank you all again for the cards and notes and prayers and support.  We received breakfast at the door yesterday (thank you Heather Burris!) and some dinners and groceries and gift cards.  The support and love is truly overwhelming.  We sat with Joe today and read all the cards and messages that came in this week.  He was smiling from ear-to-ear.  He just said "this is amazing".  He's so right and we thank God everyday for bringing you all into our lives.

Love,
The Kahlers