We have our house… Now we are waiting for the unimaginable…
Josh wakes up cheerful each day ready to enjoy each moment. He loves his morning “Coffeeee!” But, the food enjoyment is ending there. We see how much oatmeal he can eat. We feel successful when we manage to complete half. Lunch is even more challenging. After about four sessions of eating a few bites and him choking during all four, we stop.
Each day he enjoys his shows and iPad games. Though even his iPad is too much by early afternoon. So we watch shows and movies he enjoys. More often he asks to lean back. His shoulder tumor is just too heavy. He asks for his Trilogy (a machine that helps him breath). We try to keep him comfortable.
The doctor stops by. Nothing has changed.
Then, he chokes and needs help breathing. We take him to the Emergency Room. He is admitted. By now, sitting for even a few minutes is impossible. They spend the next several days running tests and conclude his body is shutting down.
Friends stop by to visit one last time. Josh is delighted by each visitor. Though he can’t sit up he remains his cheerful self; asking about family members, making sure everyone is doing well. Waynette Cabral, Executive Administrator, for the Council on Developmental Disabilities comes to visit. She is one of Josh’s favorite friends. They have a wonderful visit. Then, Josh, turns to Dad and says “I think I am going to sleep now.”
At 5:35 P.M. October 31, 2016 Joshua Isaac Smalley-Bower left us.
The wait is over… he is no longer in pain…
