March 17, 2009

Dear All, I don't know what to say, Other than she will be missed so much . She was so great with my Mother and Bonnie's Father before they passed away. She was truly one of a kind,and was a special lady too us also.I can still remember the times that she spent with us when Mom's last days were upon us.We can all say that were ready when our parents pass on, but are we? I know that she is in a better place,one with no more pain and no more suffering. I know that she is talking with my Mom and Dad and looking down on us all! I reallly wonder what their thinking? Hopefully their saying that we have raised you well,and you can handle any problems that come around. I will close this, because my typing skills leave alot to be desired. I just wanted everyone to know that my heart goes out to each and everyone of you. Dale & Bonnie Van Volkinburg

Todd,
Sandy and I are very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. We have been kept abreast of her health through your emails to Julia and Bob. We all have very fond memories of your Mom.
We are sorry that we will not be able to attend the funeral but we want to send our condolences to you and Tammy and to the rest of your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Tim and Sandy

March 19, 2009

Dear Todd, Otie Kent, Buddy, Danny, Tootsie, Peggy Jo, and Becky,

Our deepest sympathy to you all. Your Mom will certainly be missed. She leaves so many memories for all of us and many years of which you were all part of our farm family and the trials and tribulations of growing up together. There were many good times for all of us and much hard work to go all around.

Your Mom will always be remembered for hearing Dad's cries for help so early in the morning of the accident that lost his leg in spring of 1968. She saved his life and for that we were always grateful. Your family pitched in and helped us all in a time of great need and there were many years of fun, work and play after that.

We expect to be up on Saturday for the service. You Mom's life will be a joy to celebrate and remember. She sowed so many good seeds and was truly an example to follow as she lived her faith and her life through God. We rejoice in that she is now at Peace in heaven and with your Dad.

Our support and our love to you all. We look forward to sharing in the time of remembering.

Much Love,
Jule Alice and Bob

The following arrangements have been made to celebrate Peggy’s going Home:

Thursday, March 19th at Hope Baptist Church, 6450 Hope Way, Hanover, PA.
The afternoon viewing will be from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. The evening viewing will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a memorial service starting at 8:00 p.m. for anyone who would like to attend.

Friday, March 20th at Sheldon Funeral Home, Main Street, Laceyville, PA.
Viewing will be from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Friday evening.

Saturday, March 21st at Mehoopany Baptist Church, Mehoopany, PA.
Funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m. Family will receive visitors beginning at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to any of the following organizations:

Hope Baptist Church
6450 Hope Way
Hanover, PA 17331

New Tribes Mission
1000 E First St.
Sanford, FL 32771

Loud and Clear Ministries
9 Choice Hill Rd.
Greenville, SC 29609

Mehoopany Baptist Church
P.O. Box 162
Mehoopany, PA 18629

Face to face with Christ my Savior,
Face to face, what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?

Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory
I shall see Him by and by!

This was Mom's favorite hymn. At 3:30 p.m. Peggy Marie Comstock came face to face with her beloved Savior. She will be sorely missed.

There has been no change in Mom's condition in the last 24 hours. She continues to rest easy and peaceful as we watch for any signs of discomfort. Each family member here has had the opportunity for a special time with her, and we know the Lord is guiding her even now. Please continue to lift Peggy in prayer.

Mom appears peaceful and is resting easy. All her children are here with her. We continue our vigil.
Please continue to lift Peggy in prayer.

We have been in contact with the Hospice RN and are doing everything we can to make her comfortable.

Mom's status - she has had a very bad day, and is having a hard time right now.

There were 36 of us for Mom’s family breakfast Saturday morning. A lot of good food was prepared, and she ate well. It was a long day for her, but a good one, and we thank the Lord for allowing us more time to fellowship together. She finally laid down to rest late in the afternoon, and we enjoyed singing some of the hymns she knows.

Family members arrived just before dinnertime, and she insisted on getting up to eat dinner. In fact, she offered the prayer before we ate, and enjoyed more of the good food that people have been bringing.

She slept very little last night and was very restless, but is finally sleeping this morning. Also, there was much confusion, as well as talk of old times. However, her strength and mobility in getting up and down is very good when not tired.

Please continue to lift Peggy in prayer.

Mom had a great day yesterday, and said she was feeling good! We got her up and into the chair in the morning, and she stayed up visiting all day and evening. The confusion wasn't too bad during the day, but got worse toward evening. She spent a restless night.

She has been planning a family breakfast since Monday, and is really looking forward to it. Yesterday morning she supervised a trial run, and ate pretty good-not just at breakfast, but all day. Most of the immediate family members are here, and the rest will be arriving today and tomorrow

She rose early this morning, had a bath and shampoo, requested a particular dress to wear, and is ready for the day. And she is still excited about this family breakfast! She says we are going to have another good day! We believe her.

The confusion is still there but to varying degrees during the day. She did complain early this morning about the pain in her legs, and requested Tylenol. Right now she is holding court in the kitchen with the family surrounding her.

Please continue to lift Peggy in prayer.

Mom slept during the late afternoon and evening hours on Thursday probably because the trip home tired her out. But she was alert and awake for a while last night as friends and family gathered to visit. She also enjoyed having the Psalms read to her and prayer offered for her.

Because she requires someone to be with her 24/7, we have set up a schedule of four-hour shifts. Anyone who wants to can take a turn watching for changes, making sure her needs are met, and keeping her comfortable.

Out of town family members are beginning to arrive, and we look forward to their visits. Please continue to lift Peggy in prayer.

We brought Mom home from the hospital about 2:00 today. She is settled in at her home in Hanover, and resting from the trip. Hospice was here and gave us additional information on keeping her comfortable. If anyone would like to call, her phone number now is (717) 632-9048. Please continue to lift Peggy in prayer.

Mom actually had a very good day yesterday. She did sleep most of the morning because of the difficult day and night before. But by lunchtime, she was awake and ready for the day. Not only did she have lots of visitors and phone calls during the course of the day, but everyone was able to enjoy quality time together. She was very alert, talking, joking and teasing. The confusion was at a much lesser degree. In fact she said that she felt great and it was because she hadn’t had her meds for 24 hours. (In reality most of them have been discontinued).

The hospital chaplain was visiting and asked what her favorite hymn was. She started singing “Face to Face with Christ My Savior”. We joined in with her and then sang several more hymns. She ate well, and she was out of bed using the walker to get around.

The doctor plans to discharge her from the hospital on Thursday, and our goal is to bring her home to her house to spend whatever time the Lord allows. Arrangements are currently being made for a hospital bed and whatever else is needed to make that happen.

Please continue to lift Peggy in prayer.

This is the latest on Mom’s condition. The nurses at the dialysis center were unable to hook her up to the machine on Monday because the fistula was so badly clogged. They scheduled her to go to York Hospital Tuesday to either have it re-opened or a catheter put in, followed by dialysis. However, after she got back to the Brethren Home on Monday afternoon, her blood pressure dropped very low and she was lethargic, so she was transported to York Hospital Monday night.

Tests and x-rays were done, and her doctor told us that the situation was grave. She has retained a good deal of fluid, her confusion will not improve, and the fistula is beyond repair -- which means another surgery. The question became do we want to put her through this.

Many, many factors and much prayer went into the decision that had to be made, but her dialysis has now been discontinued. She could be with us for a couple days or a couple weeks. From this point on, it is totally in the Lord’s hands, but we recognize that he has been in control all along.

We covet your prayers for Peggy/Mom/Sis/Grandma. Please pray for the Lord’s Will to be done, and that she not suffer.

Mom has had some difficult days lately. She requires the use of oxygen more often, and when she keeps it on, her color is better and her mental state improves a little. An x-ray this week revealed she has pneumonia, and a CAT scan is scheduled for Tuesday at the hospital to have a closer look.

She gave us a bit of a scare this week when she took a notion to get out of her chair by herself and fell. She's ok, and only suffered minor bruising.

She also had some serious confusion Friday evening which required Otis to leave work and go to the Home to calm her down. We are still searching for answers as to why so much confusion.

On a lighter note, it was about 70 degrees here on Saturday and Mom wanted to go outside and enjoy the weather. Rita and Becky took her out around the courtyard area. When Otis got there later, he took her out again. While "strolling" around the campus, they saw a Turkey Hill across the street and Mom said she wanted ice cream. Anyone who knows Otis knows what happened next. Off they went with Otis wheeling Mom across the main road in her wheelchair!! What a sight! They bought enough ice cream for the six of them, and enjoyed it by the fountain on campus.

Please continue to lift Peggy in prayer.