This is a part of the at this point last chapter of a biographical website section entitled Divinely Led. This section is still under construction and new parts will be added as time allows and inspiration comes.
Part 7: After Dad’s Passing
Alex’s Illness and Passing
After my dad’s passing, I spent nine months going through his possessions and selling his home. This enabled us to move to Renaissance Retirement Village between August 1 and September 28, 2023. This will be dealt in more detail in another sub-section.
About a year later, Alex started feeling unwell. One of the noticeable symptoms was low energy. There was also diarrhea and water retention, which was becoming more and more serious. He was unwell on his 75th birthday in early November, and not long thereafter ended up going to the hospital where he stayed about 10 days — the first of a total of nine stays ranging from one day to over a week.
He was thoroughly checked and found to have metastasized prostate cancer, that had probably been there for years. The prognosis wasn’t encouraging and because of previously discovered heart issues, certain treatments were not advisable. A surprising thing and wonderful blessing was that he had no pain.
He spent the following seven months at home and lost more and more weight. He also lost mobility till he ended totally bed-bound while I looked after him in every respect. This time was interspersed with hospital stays, either for iron transfusions in that he was bleeding internally, or with urinary tract infections needing intravenous antibiotics. He had at least two close calls, but pulled through every time. He remained pain-free throughout except for a pressure sore on his tail bone.
During the last hospital stay in late April, the doctors noticed significant deterioration since the previous visit, and the palliative doctor felt that based on that, he only had weeks of life left.
Many prayers were offered up for us during this stressful period, and despite the serious situation, we felt that we were being helped and strengthened in multiple ways with many things to be grateful for.
Four weeks after the last hospital stay, on May 29 (the same day as his father), Alex passed away in the ambulance just before being taken to a palliative room at the nearby hospital. This was a blessing because of the support the paramedics gave me, and the time I was able to spend with him before his body was taken away from the home.
Three days prior to his passing I was guided to stop at the nearest funeral home — which was the best thing, because they could be contacted straight away to arrange for transport of the body later the same day and the funeral later.
I was strengthened to organize the funeral and all else, and the support from the people here at the village and around the world by those who remembered him was truly heartwarming. Again, despite the difficult situation, the trial wasn’t more than I could bear. God truly provided for all my needs.
For other information on divine leading, see Spirit Helpers and Guides
Here is a short reflection on being divinely led.