Beloved Uncle

John's Uncle E has been a big part of his life - and our lives since we've been together. He has battled Parkinson's Disease for decades. It has ravaged his body. It took his ability to speak understandably. His medication changed his personality at times and drained his family's finances. The terrible disease had made him appear like he was mentally challenged - but he isn't. His mind was there. He was still there inside a body that was betraying him. People would speak to others, as if Uncle E could not understand them - yet he could and just not get them to understand him. What an awful disease.

Yesterday Uncle E spiked a fever that is very hard to control. For much of last night, even with packing him in ice, his temperature was close to hitting 108. At that temperature, brain damage is pretty much certain. He is (or was - as of around 4:00am) still alive, but the end is near. There is nothing more than can be done, and Uncle E's living will specified he did not want any drastic measures (intubation, life support...etc) to prolong his life. The end is very near from what the doctors tell us.

I hope and pray he goes peacefully. He was having seizures from the temperature last night. I hope that when the time comes, it will not be so violent - for the family's sake. To sit and watch a loved one take their last breath is a hard thing to do, even when the person appears to be comfortable. I can't imagine how much more difficult it would be.... He has suffered enough.

At least he has a living will and his mind was clear when it was written. His wife has the peace of knowing that he has already made this choice - she does not have to. It is what he wanted.

The loss will be great, but it is time to let go. We will miss him dearly. I'm sad that B won't remember him. I know John's heart will be broken. I'm worried his aunt will let go of life without her true love. We must find a way to comfort eachother, because we have to let Uncle E go. He deserves that from us.