We began what would prove to be the final pivotal week of our cancer journey on that Sunday, December 3. I got Luke some breakfast and went back to St. Dominic’s to sit with Lynette. Sarah had an internship with Christ United Methodist Church’s choir. That morning they were to do a Service of Lessons and Carols, a service Lynette and I both loved and had taught Sarah to love.

I don’t recall if anyone gave us medical updates that morning. I can only discern that they did not diagnose any sort of active stroke.

The Millsaps Singers were to also lead an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols that evening. Sarah was to have a solo during part of the service. I really wanted to both be present and to find a way for Lynette to see and hear. Our District Superintendent, Connie Connie Mitchell Shelton, came to the hospital about 1:00-1:30 and brought us Communion. I am SO grateful she did so. I didn’t know that would be the last time Lynette and I would have that sacrament together, but it certainly makes the time more special.

Connie agreed to sit with Lynette during the Service of Lessons and Carols. I was planning to broadcast the service on Facebook Live, but it turned more complicated. Fortunately, Joey Shelton was able to “Facetime” between his and Connie’s Apple devices, and Lynette and Connie were able to see and hear most of the service.

Sarah again spent the night with Lynette at the hospital and I went home to be with Luke. Unfortunately, whatever neurological problem Lynette was having was also making her restless. She began trying to get up when it was not safe for her to do so. She also was not processing either Sarah’s nor the nurses’ instructions. This was a new development and was quite distressing to Sarah. It was also interfering with sleep Sarah needed to get to complete her coursework on what was her last week of the Fall semester.