Bagster Update - "Gird your loins..."
Bagster hopes to post on FR in a few days. He's on the phone with me now (and his son is there) as they start another round of dialysis. The procedure will make him groggy and he'll fall asleep and be exhausted until he recovers from it. After recovery, the dialysis certainly does make him feel better, however he does have complete kidney failure for which he cannot be treated.
After a meeting with palliative care doctor, bagster elected to continue with dialysis with an understanding dialysis may have to be halted as it causes severe reduction in his blood pressure and his physicians cannot prevent it from going too low. If they feel dialysis is harming him, they will stop providing it to him. PS: The palliative care doc did NOT understand bag's humor.
If dialysis must be permanently halted, bagster elects to transition to 'comfort care' in which all attempts at treatment are withdrawn, and they will keep him medically comfortable as his body shuts down without treatment.
He's like a big brother to me, and to many others. FWIW, given the circumstances and what he's been through thus far, I would make the same choices he's making - I don't say this lightly. Repeat, I do not say this lightly.
I attended the palliative care meeting with his son, bags and his doctor and I asked questions - all my concerns and those of his son were addressed. They are not denying any of his requests (something for skin irritation, reduction in pain meds etc.), not trying to pressure him in any way, and I feel his is receiving good care with caring people.
He's in good spirits this evening, and made me play a clip from the movie True Romance (I had to cover my eyes for the blood) and he had been watching basketball when I called. He's asked for an update on y'all and I sometimes read him your posts re politics or thread news.
We have another palliative care meeting on Monday in which the issue of whether to continue dialysis will again be discussed.
As I type this he's hamming it up with the dialysis team which arrived in his room. He's making them laugh.
If you have anything you want me to read him, you may email me. He knows you care and has appreciated your prayers, advice and good wishes.
Prayers up!Up! UP!
PS: It’s not just kidney failure. He has multiple overlapping chronic illnesses, each with their own side effects for which treatments often have to be eliminated or reduced to avoid provoking other chronic illnesses or threatening his breathing and blood pressure. For example, he can’t have the usual pain meds because of breathing issues etc.
Prayers for bagster and everyone who loves him.
Which is many here.
I am very sad. Prayers for his comfort.
Tell him he IS our brother. We love him.
Five years of banter and caring has given us all an appreciation of humor in the face of the storm.
Now we are here to help him weather THIS storm.
It says in the Last Days GOD’S SPIRIT will be poured out on all people.
FATHER GOD,
May HOLY SPIRIT be poured out on Bagster and cleanse him from every disease - complete healing - creative miracles. Let him enjoy his family, especially his grandchild. Scriptures say, “CHRIST healed all our diseases.”
All things are possible with You.
Bagster’s needed here on Free Republic to fight the good fight.
May Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
In JESUS’ Name we pray. AMEN.
Prayers out for you and your family Bagster.
Hugs, my friend... Thinking of ya!
🐷
How the hell did all this happen?
Prayers up, bags.
I love you, Bagster.
No homo ;-)
Prayers on the way. God bless.
Prayers up!
We need you here to say “I told you so” on all the beyond the trees threads.
Prayers 🙏🙏🙏 UP!!!
I didn’t know Bagster was sick. My prayers going out for him, his family and loved ones.
Thanks for posting this, RN.
We all stand with you, Bagster.
Prayers up for you, to give you strength.
Oh no The Bagster.I’ve been off and missed alot.Fell a month ago,doing better today.I will pray a rosary for Him today ((((Hugs)))) Fatima
I’m shattered, honestly, to read this. I want to do something to cheer him up, pen some wisecrack to make him laugh, but I got nothing.
I’m praying for a miracle to restore Bages to complete health.
He’s got more ass-kicking to do!
Prayers & encouragement to bagster.
I have no words to say - they are all in my heart.
Some Allie for you:
https://youtu.be/pfk48-e6JzQ
Thank you for the update RN. Didn’t realize you were that close geographically. Modding it on the thread and in real life too - man......I’m so lazy ;-p
He made you watch “True Romance”?...he’s such a flirt.
In my head I see the Dialysis team cracking up at a Bagster joke while the doc stands there with a clip board scratching his head not knowing what’s so funny.
Is his son on FR? If not tell him to get his kiester over here - we aren’t politics 24/7 :)
Prayers and comfort to all - WWG1WGA!
Indeed, many many prayers are going up for Bagster. Possibly one of the best warriors an information war could have. Reminds me in some ways of Gen. Patton / Gen. MacArthur.
Prayers, FRiend. 🙏🏻
Keep fighting, happy warrior, and know that God’s grace is with you always.