with our heartfelt thanks....

On behalf of Ann, Stacey and I along with our family members we would like to thank you all for your love of Paul and support and prayers for us...it has been so wonderful seeing dear friends and hearing so many great stories about Paul...it is an understatement to say that he was a very unique man and 'one in a million' and he will be sorely missed. As you all know, the days ahead will be filled with so many emotions for us all especially Ann and Stacey...as we all know death is a part of life and we can all rationalize that until we wake up each morning missing the heck out of a loved one and wondering how in the world we will go on...but you do...you find a way...it has been a joy and privilege to write these updates and I would not have been able to do so without having God lead and guide me. It was an honor to meet so many of you today and put names to faces of friends whom I had heard so much about all these years...there were a few of you who had asked for a copy of the poem I wrote and read at Paul's service so here it is...my personal thanks for loving and caring so much about my dear family.

My Tribute to Paul…

Don’t grieve for me…for now I’m free
I’m following the path God had planned for me
I took His hand when I heard Him call
Yes, I turned my back and left you all…
Please understand I could not stay another day
When getting well was just not my say
As you all know I gave it my best
And now God says it is time for me to rest
First you made us laugh…now you’ve made us cry..
God knows we surely do not understand why..
Don’t be burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you smiles and sunshine of tomorrow
My life’s been so full…I’ve savored much
Great friends…good times…my family’s touch…
If my leaving has left a void…
Then fill it with remembered joy…
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found my peace at the close of the day
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Please don’t lengthen it now with undue grief…
May you always feel my presence…by your side
This is our Fathers’ wish that we must abide…
Lift up your hearts and peace to Thee
God wanted me now…He set me free…

~Laurie Chambers

it is a sad day....

AS most of you know, Paul's died this morning at around 4:00am...he had gotten up to use the bathroom around 2:00am and was almost back to his bed when he fell on the floor and was unresponsive...Ann called 911 and they began to adminster CPR...he was transported to Piedmont...they were able to get a pulse and heartbeat but he had 'been down' for 40 minutes or so and there was concern of brain damage...they were unable to keep his pulse and heartbeat and we all realized that it was just 'his time'...I take comfort in that Ann and I were with him when he took his final breathe as he didn't want to die alone...he fought long and hard and coming back this time was just more than his condition would allow him...though his determination never waivered even last evening before I left, he told me that maybe the therapists could help him regain his strength and getting him feeling better.

Paul's last day was spent going to see Dr. Woodson and afterwards, asked to be driven by some of the properties he owned...kind of take a ride through his 'beloved' Atlanta that he was instrumental in developing the skyline of (I know that's not good English but you all just please bear with me). Once they returned home he had some soup...then after I arrived, Ann went to get him a 'Steak n' Shake' milkshake (his very favorite)...he and I chatted our 'usual chat'...tonight it was about Obama's health care plan which was a loaded question...I gave my opinions then I bounced off him the quote I had received to have my yard cut, etc. and told him that he needed to get himself better so he could come see my new little house...that will never happen and he would be so proud.....I realize I am rambling here a little...I'm sorry...he seemed very fidgety while I was there first wanting to sit in the chair then get back in bed and sit up....'sitting up' seemed to be key yesterday as we heard the same comments from Ernestine...

After us all talking during the course of today, we have come to realize that Paul believed his time was near, though he never waivered with his determination...we know that he died peacefully...and that he is in Heaven...

We have made his funeral arrangements....many of you may not know that Paul's wish was to be creamated...just a few days ago Ann asked if that was 'really still his wish' and he told her "I've been telling you that ever since I first met you' so his ashes will be interred at a later date. On Monday, April 5th at 11:00am we will have a Memorial Service at HM Patterson & Son's on Allen Road in Sandy Springs...we will be there to receive family and friends at 10:00am...

We are holding up as well as can be expected...finalizing the arrangements was a great relief...we are good for now with food, etc. The days ahead will be difficult but we will get through...it would make Paul furious if we didn't....

Your continued prayers are so welcomed, appreciated and what we all need most right now....I must say that it has been a sincere privilege to write these updates about Paul and obviously regretted writing this one but knew it would happen one day...our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.

Love, Laurie

Paul's visit with Dr. Woodson (kidney specialist)

Basically this is what's going on...we are in a 'Catch 22' situation where they can try to do something to help Paul's heart but it will effect his kidneys negatively and visa versa...while he has kidney output, the kidney itself is not functioning properly meaning it's not cleansing the way it should...the only thing that can be done to change this would be dialysis and Paul's cardiologist does not feel he would be a candidate for that...at this point he will be monitored more closely and Dr. Woodson made a slight change in his medication for the next few days. They will have the results of his bloodwork taken today at the end of this week and depending on those results, they may proceed in a different manner.

Paul continues to remain very strong-willed and determined...he says that he isn't in any pain but just most of the time 'just doesn't feel good'...between all of this along with his diabetes it is no wonder...I will continue to keep you updated.

I realize that I am repeating myself but would be remiss if I didn't take each opportunity to let you all know how much we appreciate your continued love, support and most of all...prayers.

Love, Laurie

a quiet start to the week....

Paul has had a few uneventful days which is a good thing! He will go to see Dr. Woodson (Nephrologist) tomorrow and continue with physical and occupational therapy. He spends his days resting, sitting up in the chair reading the paper, watching TV/movies and getting up as much as he can...we continue to monitor his blood sugar and sodium intake while getting him to eat somewhat balanced meals...no easy task for those of you who know Paul well!!! :-) Ernestine is continue to come each day during the week which helps tremendously! We feel that the 'worst is over' for now and have established a routine that everyone is comfortable with...again, we would not be able to do this without your prayers and support....our heartfelt thanks to you all!

Love, Laurie

Paul's visit to Dr. Blincoe....

The latter part of this week has been a pretty good one at the Story home...Paul went to see Dr. Blincoe yesterday and the word is that his heart is no worse/no better from when he left the hospital three weeks ago...so the plan is just to continue what we have been doing...he'll go back for regular visits to the Heart Failure Clinic as he has in the past...the physical & occupational therapists will continue to help him regain his strength. He is in really good spirits and doesn't miss an opportunity to make us laugh or tell us what to do for him!!! Our thanks to all of you for your prayers, love, support and help during these last several weeks and for those to come! Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Love,
Laurie

Paul is a trooper....

I don't think there is really anything else I can add to the fact that 'Paul is a trooper'...his body has been through so much and last night he and I were shuffling to the bathroom with a walker...swollen feet and all! There is certainly something to be said for having a strong will and determination and that your outlook and attitude can certainly have a positive effect on one's recovery along with the great power of prayer. Paul is by no means back to where he was before this last event, however, he has surprised us all! This week will be a busy one with both physical and occupational therapists coming in along with trips to the Heart Failure Clinic, to see Dr. Blincoe and also Dr. Woodson...keep the much appreciated prayers coming, please!


Laurie

as we close the week....

As most of you all know, there are alot of challenges when faced with caring for someone who has been through as much as Paul has...with all of the medications he is on, his limited diet and the fact that he has been primarily confined to his bed for about three weeks now...these have a played havoc on his digestive system. With all of the efforts to try and alleviate that 'problem' (I am trying to word this very delicately), Paul is exhausted. As a result, he felt there was no way he could make it to Dr. Blincoe's office today...which was probably a very good idea. The good thing is that the 'problem' is now under control to some degree but we have to keep in mind that anything that goes out needs to be replaced...there has to be a constant level of fluids in his body...he can't have too much and he can't have too little...even through all of this he has maintained his humor and appreciation of those of us who are privileged to help with his care. He was able to work with the physical therapist yesterday and does have some exercises he can do in bed to help him become a little more active.

With the First Day of Spring tomorrow, (and Ann's 70th birthday-she would kill me for mentioning this so please, no one tell her you heard it from me!!!)...take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the sky no matter what the weather is where you are; take a moment to smile at a complete stranger; take a moment to enjoy the wonder of how little seeds become beautiful flowers; take a moment to call a loved one or friend you haven't spoken to in a long time; take a moment to perhaps forgive someone you need to forgive; take a moment to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you....and then, take a moment to thank God for all the blessings you have in your life....as always, your prayers mean the world to us and know we pray for you all in return!

Laurie

St. Patrick's Day in Atlanta.....

There has been no change with how Paul is feeling...we continue to monitor everything he eats and drinks and the resulting output and up until yesterday, these were about even...his attitude remains very positive and continues to make us laugh even when it is apparent he isn't feeling well. We are doing all we can for him each day and have greatly appreciated the yummy food brought by some of you...unfortunately, he really doesn't have much of an appetite so finding something he wants to eat (and is allowed to have) is somewhat of a challenge...Friday will bring a trip to Dr. Blincoe's office...prayers are what we need the most of right now....thank you all so very much from Ann, Stacey and me....

not much change....

Paul had a really quiet Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. The physical therapist will be at the house on Tuesdays and Thursdays and between those visits we are supposed to rally Paul to do his exercises...it is somewhat of a challenge but one we are working on...his outlook remains positive which helps tremendously realizing that for right now there is very little he can do on his own...BUT we are working on that too!!...we certainly all understand that this is a very slow process...your continued prayers for support and love remain our source of strength...thank you all so very much.

a quiet Saturday....

Paul was pretty exhausted yesterday from his outing and today is having a quiet Saturday. Ann was able to get out and get her hair cut today which was good! All-in-all things are going along pretty well. If I don't send out an update please know that there has been no change and really nothing new to report....you all are the best and we can all feel your prayers for strength and encouragement!

a good report from the Heart Failure Clinic

Paul was told he is 'stable' from his examination at the Heart Failure Clinic...he was instructed to 'keep doing what you're doing' with advice to use the oxygen as much as possible, especially when he is moving around (when he normally takes it off)...we are cautiously encouraged with how he is doing but certainly understand his overall condition remains to be quite serious. Ann was told that we will need to take extra care to measure his liquid intake & output which we'll continue to do.

We continue to be ever so grateful for your prayers, care and concern...

getting used to new daily activities....

Paul is continuing with his new daily activities of sitting up and taking a few steps from his bed to the bedroom door and back again...there is some slight improvement with the swelling of his feet as we are now able to distinguish his toes! While settling into his new routine, he is using the oxygen machine more often and continuing to stay on the VERY low sodium and VERY good for you diet...we are getting a few 'comments' from him (most of which we pay little attention to!) but overall, he is accepting of his healthy meals! A trip to the Heart Failure Clinic is the plan for tomorrow and it will be great to get a report from those folks....once again, your prayers are greatly appreciated and give us all strength!

a rainy day in Atlanta.....

Paul had a visit yesterday from the Physical Therapy folks and it went well....he sat up today for an hour which was a wonderful feat and an exercise he is supposed to do each day for 6 weeks...Ernestine has been a 'God Send' for us...her mere presence brings a peace to the household! Friday Paul has an appointment at the Heart Failure Clinic which will give us an update on how his heart is doing...he continues to keep us laughing and on our toes!!! We could not be doing this without the love and support of so many of you...as Ann said....'I knew he had alot of friends but I didn't realize that he had this many' ...we count ourselves blessed that each of you are in our lives!!!

another good day....

Paul had another good day yesterday and is looking forward to having physical therapy today at 2:30. He is still extremely weak but hoping to regain some of his strength with therapy...he is using the oxygen more which will certainly help! He won't go back to the doctor until the end of next week but we are staying pretty strict about what he eats and drinks. We are pleased to have Ernestine helping care for Paul as it allows Ann to get a little work done! Paul has asked that I get his laptop working so he can at least keep up with you all through e-mail...we should have that going hopefully by this weekend...I called the house late yesterday afternoon and he answered the phone! Please continue to keep us in your prayers

settling into a routine....

Paul continues to be doing fairly well...he had a good Sunday afternoon and evening...he is eating well and, to our amazement, continuing to do what we ask of him (we are wondering how long this will last!!!! :-)

Monday has started off well with Ernestine arriving and Ann setting up the physical therapy appointment...they will either come today or tomorrow. As of now, Paul isn't 'allowed' out of bed except to sit in a chair...we all will be learning how to move him around with very little exertion from him so that his heart won't have to work hard...

Realizing that I am repeating myself in each post, we cannot thank you all enough for your care and concern...we have all felt the outpouring of love and support and are making sure Paul is aware of your efforts to help us during this time...

another day we are grateful for...

We hope you are all having a good Sunday afternoon...Paul is doing fairly well...he sat up in the chair for a little while this morning which was a major feat...we have decided that our motto will be 'what Paul doesn't know will help him' as we strive to satisfy his ever sensitive taste buds with items that are low sodium, low fat, etc. Under the circumstances, he is remaining quite cooperative! He continues to make us laugh with his dry wit and sense of humor...and I am reminded that it is a joy and privilege to be able to assist with his care...we all talk often of how blessed we are as a family with continuous love and support thankful for our bounty of wonderful friends who are just ready to help in any way possible....I would like to share a Bible verse with you all....'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging....the Lord Almighty is with us....Be still, and know that I am God' Psalm 46 .....once again we thank you all for your care and concern....

Paul is at home...

Good afternoon...Paul arrived home yesterday around 4pm and is doing fairly well...his doctor said his condition is 'tenuous'...and so far he is minding us which is quite amazing, as you all know how he can be at times! We are monitoring everything he eats and drinks...he knows about this blog and seems quite pleased....I asked what he wanted to tell his 'followers' and he said to tell you all 'thank you'...we do appreciate all of the phone calls and offers to bring us food and help in any way possible...we are doing pretty well for right now...Ann is holding up well and busy getting organized. We expect to hear from the physical therapy folks this weekend and look forward to Ernestine's help starting Monday....

Paul is coming home today....

Wow...we can't believe it but Paul is coming home today...his one requirement is that he minds us, which of course, he agreed to so that he'll get out of the hospital...whether he will keep that promise when he gets home remains to be seen...no doubt he will keep us all laughing with his sense of humor...we have found Ernestine who, for those of you who don't know, helped care for Ann's mother (our Muner) and she brings a source of great comfort, peace and strength to us all knowing Paul will be in very good hands. I have added a link on this that you can enter your e-mail address and automatically receive these updates...we so appreciate your continued prayers and concern...

Thursday, March 4th

Good Morning...this is my first time creating a blog so please bear with me!

We are pleased to report that Paul is in a 'normal' room and will be receiving physical therapy in order to get him ready to come home. Though his body is very weak, his mind is as sharp as ever and barking out orders right and left to Ann, myself and Stacey....even to the hospital staff insisting yesterday that he was just too tired to start physical therapy and told them to return today! It is nothing short of amazing and a miracle what his body has endured the last 10 days and the plan is to bring him home either tomorrow or Saturday....stay tuned.....I will post updates as we go along.....thank you for your continued prayers.