I am sorry to be late posting this. But, I just got back from the Hospice hospital.
Hospice is a support group for those who are dying. They have a Hospice hospital here in West Palm Beach and it's almost like a motel room. You can stay over, come in at any time, or even bring your ill relatives dog to visit.
My husband and I have been dealing with his very sick brother. He is not that old, but has really abused his body to the point where his liver is at end stage. Four days ago, they handed us the names of funeral homes, told us to straiten his affairs and say goodbye.
Then I told his 96 year old aunt he was dying. She said don't worry, I am gonna pray for him. Now I was raised Catholic and I believe in God, there has to be something that made our universe. Well at least in my mind, it had to start somewhere. But I never believed prayer helped other then to comfort the prayer. She told her gazillion kids who had masses said and added their prayers.
Every day we visited him and he was barely aware, if at all, of what was going on. He was bleeding internally and over the course of a few days they had given him close to 30 pints of blood. They said he would bleed out because the liver produces clotting factor and he had none. Chris cried, I have never seen him do that.before. Even if his brother did drugs he still loves him. I could tell you things he's done that would curl your hair.
Well yesterday he was sitting up and eating a burger and fries. Huh?? I thought he'd be dead. They said no one comes back from a place that far gone. He cannot move his legs and they don't know why. But he asked for chocolate and is calling us every ten minutes. They told us he was stable and wouldn't get any better, when he became conscious. They were gonna feed him through a tube. But sent him a tray and I fed him. Yesterday he was eating by himself.
Now my point is this. There has to be some power in prayer, because for him to come back from deaths door and eat is a miracle. And miracles must have something to do with a higher power in my mind. So I am rethinking the prayer thing. Heck I might even go to church soon. I could use some help. I think I'm gonna call his aunt and tell her to pray for me too!Something happened that gave him more time. He is still very ill and they feel he might die, but now they are not sure it will be right away and we will have to put him in a rehab place eventually. 
Who knows he might go home someday and I can give him back his beautiful German Shepherd dog. Two dogs that big is really hard on me. You just never know. Where is God? In your heart always if you believe...
Miracles do happen don't they?!?!
Wow, Mary, I can't believe your BIL is feeding himself, and might pull through this. It's wonderful, and I do think prayers help, but look at all the amazing, gifted, good people in the world that have terrible diseases and all the prayers go unanswered. It really makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Best to you and your family.
Mary, what an amazing story. How wonderful that it has helped you to believe in the power of prayer. Maybe we all need to be on the Aunt's prayer list. Thanks for sharing.
Mary,
This post was wonderful. I'm not a religious person. I don't attend church regularly. I do beleive in God though, and I beleive in the power of prayer.
It not only makes the person praying feel better, but it helps the person they are praying for in so many ways.
If nothing else, prayer is positive thinking, optimism, good vibes. These things do wonders.
I'm so glad your brother in law is doing better, and maybe writing this post will get him a few more prayers for a speedy recovery.
I'll do my part.
Have a nice evening,
Tamara
Amazing story, Mary. I do believe in the power of prayer because all that energy and those positive thoughts coming together sometimes seem to produce miracles like this. Good luck with everything!
Thanks everyone, it does make me wonder...
Miracles happen every day, Mary. We just have to open our eyes and see them. I'm glad your family received such an OBVIOUS miracle this time. Take care of yourself, my friend. YOU are a blessing to us all. Big, warm hug to you!
Mary, your post made me cry. I am a Christian, and although I don't attend church regularly, we pray every day at our house and I belong to several prayer groups. To hear your story affirms everything I believe in. Prayer does work, my friend. It really, truly does. And the even better thing is the MORE you believe in prayer, the MORE it can work miracles in your life. Whether you choose to view it as a positive thought or talking personally with God is up to you, but I have seen too many direct answers to prayer in the past few years to deny the power they contain. I will keep your brother- in-law in my prayers tonight! Halleluia and God Bless!
Mary,
What an amazing story. I do believe in the power of prayers.
Thanks for sharing your story. I wish you and your family well.
Mary ((hugs)) you are such a tender heart, lol - thank you for sharing this story! Your BIL is so lucky to have you and Chris - love is the real miracle. LOVE.
and what is prayer, but an outpouring of love, with a concentrated desire?
That story gave me chills! Amazing. Shows there is a higher being that mankind. Thanks for sharing! Hugs to you, dear lady.
Thanks guys!
Mary, (((HUGS)) This is an amazing, inspiring story. I'm so happy your bIL is doing better. I will pray with you that he continues to heal.
Traci, that's beautifully said and so true. Mary, I don't know if this was divine intervention or not, but I guess it isn't the question that's important, but the answer. The prayers for more time for your BIL were answered with a yes.
Absolutely yes!
Thank you so much for sharing this story. I'm also not a religious person, but I believe in God. Prayer does work... we just don't always get the answer we want. I don't claim to understand why, but I trust in the God that does. I am so glad your brother-in-law is doing so well.
Yes, Mary. Miracles DO happen. I am a mammographer and a breast cancer survivor. I would not have gotten through my treatment ordeal as well as I did wihtout the power of prayer. I am now cancer free.
And then there's my sister. She was diagnosed with Frederick's Ataxia in 1970 when she was 13. It is a rare, progressive genetic disorder of the central nervous system that will eventually kill her. We were told she would not live to see her 18th birthday. After her surgery for scoliosis (also when she was 13) we were told she would never walk. Well, she walked across the stage at her high school graduation and was able to attend college for almsot 2 full years before she finally ended up in a wheelchair at age 21. Today, she is still alive. She is now 54 and although she can no longer control her body and chokes when she eats and is no longer able to verbalize effectively enough for us to understand her speach, she is still with us. I think she's ready to go now because the quality of her life has deteriorated. But she was not ready before and my parents could not have faced it before. I think now, with the power of God, they can.
And finally, as a mammographer, I see breast cancer survivors every day--some of whom were diagnosed at young ages with late stage disease that should have killed them. But they are alive. And many are living productive, happy lives.
Never give up without a fight. And never doubt the power of God, no matter which God you pray to.
Even if you don't believe in God, believe in the power of the human spirit and the positive energy prayer creates.
And I will pray for you and your family.
Hugs.
Hi Mary,
That was a very touching post. so glad to hear that you BIL has improved to the point of eating by himself. Many say the power of prayer is a very powerful weapon. In this case,sounds like it really was.
Best wishes
Margaret
Mary, going to the hospice is hard. Steele yourself. My Mom was at death's doors and was put on hospice program, with them expecting her to go anytime, and me refusing to let them put a nurse to take care of her. I prefered to do it myself. To their surprise Mom lasted a year and half. I refused to let them put tubes through her. I fed her and I hired a friend I trusted to help. Their last moments are so precious and yet so hard. God help help you.
Astounding post, Mary. Wonderful. As a Christian, I believe very much in the power of prayer. Not that our prayers are always answered as we might wish. But God does work in our lives in amazing ways and miracles do happen.
Mary, what a beautiful story. That one made me cry. I'm so glad he made it. Yes, I. Believe strongly in god and the power of prayer. I am often told, "ask and you shall receive." Thank you forbsharing such a heartwarming story.
Hi, Mary. What a heartwarming story! Your brother-in-law must feel reassured and strengthened by the knowledge so many people care about him (including the wonderful people in Hopspice). Sometimes it does take a village to bring a person back to good health. Rolynn
Mary R, I think your story meant a lot to a lot of folks! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Mary, I've always been a believer in the power of prayer. I've seen it at work in my own life. Prayer moves mountains. It's not just some unseen thing, but is tangible. I hold onto its hope and ask for the Holy Spirit to be with me daily.
Beautiful blog, Mary. Yes, I believe in miracles and that prayers are answered. We do attend church regularly and try to be the best Catholics we can be.
Reaffirmation is a glorious thing.
Mary, hope your BIL continues to improve. I know it must be a real challenge for you having someone in hospice. Chin up and take care of yourself,too. Yes, I believe in prayers.