Over the Edge

I guess no one really expects what they know is going to happen.  A week ago, Ed was very much as he has been for the past many months, as I wrote in the previous post.  A little more pain, a little more sleeping, but functioning at an excellent level.  Last Tuesday mid-day, he began to feel worse.  There was a bit more pain, he didn't want to eat, he was less stable on his feet.  We couldn't get a local clinic appointment till Thursday (they're not open on Wednesday), and by then he was still cogent and ambulatory, but definitely impaired.  The clinic made a hospice referral; hospice called on Friday to say they would send a nurse up from Bellingham on Wednesday.  But between Friday and now, he has slipped way down the hill.  Today, I will try to get a hospice nurse up here sooner.  Yesterday, he was unable to get out of bed, unable to sit up without enormous effort and assistance, barely able to manage a little water, although able to talk with me.  His daughters will be here tomorrow.  He is not able to talk on the phone nor to use the computer.  But I'll post as I can.