John Phillip Nicholson
(December 31st, 1951 - August 14, 2010)
Age 58 of Shoreview. Died August 14, 2010. Preceded in death by his father, John A. Survived by his adoring wife, Caren; children, Adam (Melissa) and Jamie (Travis), Aaron (Laura) Chaney and Kyle Chaney; grandchildren, John, Noah and Berea; mother, Norma “Mimi”; siblings, Pam (Butch) Niven, Tim (Karen), Jeff (Elizabeth); nieces and nephews. John loved serving the Lord and using his gifts and talents to further the Kingdom.
Gathering 4-7PM Tuesday, August 17 at HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM-PURCELL, 515 Hwy 96 at Mackubin, Shoreview (651-482-7606).
Memorial service 3PM Wednesday at FIVE OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH, 4416 Radio Drive, Woodbury.
Private interment Fort Snelling.
Memorials to enCompass Church
Link to the online obituary
Saturday, August 14, 2010
With the Lord
John Phillip Nicholson left his earthly body and went home to the Lord at 2:00am this morning.
He left while surrounded by family including his wife Caren, myself, and his daughter Jamie. He is loved, and missed.
Godspeed, dad, enjoy the party in heaven. I will see you soon.
Love your son,
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
He left while surrounded by family including his wife Caren, myself, and his daughter Jamie. He is loved, and missed.
Godspeed, dad, enjoy the party in heaven. I will see you soon.
Love your son,
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Friday, August 13, 2010
Bible
Psalms 16:7-11
I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
We've been reading today to John out his personal Bible. In his Bible he has highlighted many passages that he deemed as key/noteworthy. The above passage was one of those.
It's been a long day today... so far. Lots of emotion. Two different times we thought he was passing which is hard to recover from.
He still fighting, only God knows when.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
We've been reading today to John out his personal Bible. In his Bible he has highlighted many passages that he deemed as key/noteworthy. The above passage was one of those.
It's been a long day today... so far. Lots of emotion. Two different times we thought he was passing which is hard to recover from.
He still fighting, only God knows when.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Another day
Yesterday there were a lot of visitors again which was nice. So many people have nice words and memories to share.
John continues to shut down. This morning, as was late yesterday, his body is having a hard time regulating it's body temperature. We continue to keep an eye on him and adjust the blankets on him as needed.
I'm not sure if he can feel anything in his body anymore and he doesn't move or squeeze his hand. If you rub the bottom of his feet, which are ticklish there is no response.
He breathing is also more labored than early yesterday.
I know for me, although I'm not "ready" for him to pass, I am ready. Seeing him lay here with his body shutting down just doesn't seem like the right way to go. For now whispering various Psalms into his ear will have to suffice.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
John continues to shut down. This morning, as was late yesterday, his body is having a hard time regulating it's body temperature. We continue to keep an eye on him and adjust the blankets on him as needed.
I'm not sure if he can feel anything in his body anymore and he doesn't move or squeeze his hand. If you rub the bottom of his feet, which are ticklish there is no response.
He breathing is also more labored than early yesterday.
I know for me, although I'm not "ready" for him to pass, I am ready. Seeing him lay here with his body shutting down just doesn't seem like the right way to go. For now whispering various Psalms into his ear will have to suffice.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Nothing new
Today is a lot of the same as yesterday with some minor exceptions. He has been taking less pain medication and his breathing has deepened. If he weren't sick, you'd think we was just sleeping all day. Sadly I think it's him slipping to a point where being able to have conscience responses with others isn't possible.
Last night we had guests till around 9pm and had a good time reminiscing tales of Johns life. We're making the best of the situation and I think dad would be a little mad that we are not sharing our wine with him. :)
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Last night we had guests till around 9pm and had a good time reminiscing tales of Johns life. We're making the best of the situation and I think dad would be a little mad that we are not sharing our wine with him. :)
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
New blog visitor info
I've been looking at the statistics and visitor tracking data on this site and can see that there are quite a few new visitors. Here are a few links to some prior posts that will help you see where he has been, information on the cancer he has (Stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme - or GBM), and how things have progressed.
How it started: http://prayersforjohn.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-happened-short-version.html
What he has: http://prayersforjohn.blogspot.com/2009/11/surgeon.html
Pre-surgery two: http://prayersforjohn.blogspot.com/2010/06/now-and-then.html
Feel free to browse the archive links on the right side of the page to see any of the previous posts.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Peace
First off I'd want to appoligize to anyone reading this that is finding it too graphic. I've been very cognizant of the readership and am trying to walk a fine line between vagueness of the situation and too much detail. Unfortunately as things get worse each post will become harder to read, including this one. Also, I have decided not to post any more pictures as I feel they may be overwhelming. Thanks in advance for your understanding.
Day one at home is winding down. There have a number of friend and family that swung by which was very nice. A few folks even dropped off some goodies which were graciously accepted - then devoured.
In the morning will be his third day of no food or water which is common when the body is shutting down. John continues to be cared for with frequent meds being administered, being repositioned, people talking to him and of course the occasional Bible passage being read to him.
Tonight there are only a few of us here (I'm spending the night) and we are taking shifts (kind of) to make sure someone is keeping him company. Hopefully we all get some rest; I know we need it. It seems that heavy hearts don't sleep well.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Day one at home is winding down. There have a number of friend and family that swung by which was very nice. A few folks even dropped off some goodies which were graciously accepted - then devoured.
In the morning will be his third day of no food or water which is common when the body is shutting down. John continues to be cared for with frequent meds being administered, being repositioned, people talking to him and of course the occasional Bible passage being read to him.
Tonight there are only a few of us here (I'm spending the night) and we are taking shifts (kind of) to make sure someone is keeping him company. Hopefully we all get some rest; I know we need it. It seems that heavy hearts don't sleep well.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Home
He as arrived home in from the hospital thanks to a ride from a United ambulance.
Caren is welcoming friends and family that want to come by for a last visit. Feel free to email me for that info at:
nicholi518 at gmail dot com
His temp had dropped to 95 degrees and his O2 levels are also lower. He does appear comfortable and is getting drugs for any pain.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Caren is welcoming friends and family that want to come by for a last visit. Feel free to email me for that info at:
nicholi518 at gmail dot com
His temp had dropped to 95 degrees and his O2 levels are also lower. He does appear comfortable and is getting drugs for any pain.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Post comments
Just a refresher, all of the comments anyone leaves on the posts come to me. I then forward them onto Caren when relevant.
If I don't email you back it's not that I didn't see your post or don't receive them. All of them are appreciated and I will try to reply when I can.
Thanks also for the feedback; we appreciate all of it. It's very overwhelming the support we have been getting through the blog, visits, phone calls, email and prayer. Thanks again!!
God bless,
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
If I don't email you back it's not that I didn't see your post or don't receive them. All of them are appreciated and I will try to reply when I can.
Thanks also for the feedback; we appreciate all of it. It's very overwhelming the support we have been getting through the blog, visits, phone calls, email and prayer. Thanks again!!
God bless,
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Last steps
Romans 14:7-9
7 None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living
Today John is doing worse, more so than normal. His kidney continue to fails further and his health continues to fade. Just looking at him you can see he's extremely fatigued. His body is losing the war against this cancer and we have reached a fork in the road.
We have met with the doctors and have come to an agreement that the best thing for him is to get him out of the hospital and headed home. While home he will be able to be more at peace in a familiar environment. Hospice care is being setup and should be starting tomorrow some time.
We always knew these days were coming... and now they are here. Thanks to everyone for your continued prayers and unacknowledged behind the scenes support.
7 None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living
Today John is doing worse, more so than normal. His kidney continue to fails further and his health continues to fade. Just looking at him you can see he's extremely fatigued. His body is losing the war against this cancer and we have reached a fork in the road.
We have met with the doctors and have come to an agreement that the best thing for him is to get him out of the hospital and headed home. While home he will be able to be more at peace in a familiar environment. Hospice care is being setup and should be starting tomorrow some time.
We always knew these days were coming... and now they are here. Thanks to everyone for your continued prayers and unacknowledged behind the scenes support.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Awake
They took him off the ventilator this morning and woke him up... all of which are good signs of recovery.
The not so good news is his kidneys aren't working and are in "failure". To my surprise the doctors are saying it's too really early to worry about because they can still come back and to a "non-failure" state.
Not being around hospitals much, it's interesting that some of the tougher drugs are kept locked up, even when they are being administered.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
The not so good news is his kidneys aren't working and are in "failure". To my surprise the doctors are saying it's too really early to worry about because they can still come back and to a "non-failure" state.
Not being around hospitals much, it's interesting that some of the tougher drugs are kept locked up, even when they are being administered.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Location:Smith Ave N,St Paul,United States
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Update
First, let me apologize for taking such an extended break between updates. At times I thought of posting, but there is a fine line between relevant updates to hundreds of blog following friends and family and documenting someone elses life day by day - when it isn't my life to broadcast and most days is very uneventful.
Since I last posted, much has happened.
His strength has been slowly zapped. Through the combination of lack of exercise, endless fatigue, the steroids (which "eat" muscle) that he's taking because of the cancer; he has progressed from walking on his own, to casually using a cane, to needing a cane, to using a walker. He needs a lot of help from others for day to day tasks that healthy people take so easily for granted.
The bigger news:
As I type John is back in the hospital for a second time in just over 2 weeks. A few weeks ago we noticed some swelling on the side of his head near his incision. He went in, they did some scans and determined no surgery was going to be needed and that some antibiotics would clear up the infection. A day later he went home and the drugs were being administered by Caren. All seemed good.
Fast-forward to last night, 6pm. His breathing of late has been very labored and after a discussion he was brought down to the ER to be evaluated. It was found that his O2 levels were in the low 80's (should be 95% or up), his heart beat was irregular, he was running a 103 degree fever, and he has pneumonia. They sedated and intubated him and were able to clean out a lot of the fluid in his lungs. They began giving him some very strong antibiotics that are to fix most of those issues - if pneumonia is the cause of all of them. As for a correlation between the infection and pneumonia, early expert medical options are of the belief that these are unrelated.
This morning he is stable and in much better condition then he was 12 hours ago. His temperature is gone and they've turned down his oxygen - all good signs of healing.
I will post more as I know.
As always, thanks for your continued support and prayers.
- Adam
Since I last posted, much has happened.
His strength has been slowly zapped. Through the combination of lack of exercise, endless fatigue, the steroids (which "eat" muscle) that he's taking because of the cancer; he has progressed from walking on his own, to casually using a cane, to needing a cane, to using a walker. He needs a lot of help from others for day to day tasks that healthy people take so easily for granted.
The bigger news:
As I type John is back in the hospital for a second time in just over 2 weeks. A few weeks ago we noticed some swelling on the side of his head near his incision. He went in, they did some scans and determined no surgery was going to be needed and that some antibiotics would clear up the infection. A day later he went home and the drugs were being administered by Caren. All seemed good.
Fast-forward to last night, 6pm. His breathing of late has been very labored and after a discussion he was brought down to the ER to be evaluated. It was found that his O2 levels were in the low 80's (should be 95% or up), his heart beat was irregular, he was running a 103 degree fever, and he has pneumonia. They sedated and intubated him and were able to clean out a lot of the fluid in his lungs. They began giving him some very strong antibiotics that are to fix most of those issues - if pneumonia is the cause of all of them. As for a correlation between the infection and pneumonia, early expert medical options are of the belief that these are unrelated.
This morning he is stable and in much better condition then he was 12 hours ago. His temperature is gone and they've turned down his oxygen - all good signs of healing.
I will post more as I know.
As always, thanks for your continued support and prayers.
- Adam
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