I continue to visit my friend, Michael, on a daily basis (or just about every day).  He is now on hospice care: hospice workers come and take care of his needs.  He is on oxygen 24 hours a day and is often in and out of the hospital (lately, it's been more times in than out).  

Michael, once weighing over 140 pounds, is now down to eighty nine pounds.  He looks like a concentration camp survivor.  It really breaks my heart to see Michael suffering so badly.  Yet, despite that, he has retained his sweet, gentle nature and continues to enjoy his books, not to mention, his three furry friends, "Gizmo", 'Goodie", and "Goofy", the three Yorkshire terriers I got him earlier this year.

The dogs have grown so much.  They are all nearly a year old, three of the cutest little dogs found anywhere, as lively as kittens (sorry, but that was the first thing I could think of! LOL).  The dogs love to sit in Michael's lap (or lay on his bed, where they lick his face and delight in nipping at his fingers or having an outright tug-of-war or chasing their miniscule tails).  

The dogs know that Michael is sick, so they stay by his side constantly.  If he is in the hospital, they whine piteously and refuse to leave his bed until he comes home.  They are his constant guardians and love him with a love that only animals can give: unconditional and unwavering.

Michael is currently in the hospital.  Pneumonia again.  Both lungs.  He is currently in the ICU and right now, things don't look that good.  He could go any time, according to the nurses and doctors, but I am trying to keep a sense of hope up for my friend.  He's beaten the odds so many times before: why should this time be any different??

He went in on Thursday.  It's now early Monday morning: not even seven o'clock.  Called the hospital; Michael is still hanging on, amazingly enough, but he is in the ICU, breathing with the aid of a respirator, so hie diseased lungs can rest.  I plan on seeing him later, when visiting hours start at 11; I also plan on sneaking the pups with me, so they can at least see him before he passes away.  I am sure Michael would enjoy that emmensely.

Don't know about the hospital staff, but hey: Michael is my friend; I have to do something to cheer him up somehow!

Well, I am going to try to get some shuteye before I (and the pups) head on over to the hospital, so I'll go.  I will write in here again soon; until later, take care!  Say a prayer for Michael; pray for his family as well, as they are not close.  They abandoned him when they found out he had full-blown AIDS, and it's just been him, his partner, and myself.  Thanks in advance!

PS: His partner has just been diagnosed with AIDS himself, but at the current time, he is in much better shape than Michael.

~To be continued.~