Please keep praying for Stella

Dear Family & Friends,

    Last night Stella had another difficult night. She was awake most of the night, coughing.  At around 6:30AM, she seemed a little better. I asked her what I could cook for her and she asked me if I could make her a homemade waffle. I was so happy that she wanted to eat something. She ate one bite, and said she was sorry but she couldn't eat it. Then she had a tiny piece of an Italian Biscotti that Natalie brought her & she really seemed to enjoy it.  Unfortunately, within five minutes, she vomited. The vomiting was going on all day & night yesterday. Her throat was sore this morning & her voice was hoarse. It's not that she is vomiting up food, it's mostly liquid because she has barely eaten anything in the last few days.
    She said she wasn't "up" for any visitors today. While we were sitting in the family room, I took out my laptop & let her see all of the pictures I had taken over the last few months & the holidays, including Christmas Eve. She truly enjoyed looking at all of the pictures and she was smiling from ear to ear.
    (Stella was in the hospital from Dec. 18th through Dec. 23rd. She told the doctors that she just wanted to go home for the Holidays. She came to Dominick & Kathleen's house on Christmas Eve and was able to sit with us while we opened presents. Her pain was bad that night, but we she stayed with us for about two hours.  She wasn't able to go anywhere on Christmas Day, so Kathleen & I went to her home. She just didn't want to go back to the hospital. Her pain got so bad that week. She finally went back to the hospital on Dec. 27th and was there until January 7th.)
   After I showed her all of the pictures, I began to read her Facebook Wall comments to her and the comments that have been left on the blog. She was smiling when I read each one to her. She was very surprised to see how many people have read the blog. She said, "Wow, that's unbelievable!"
   Through the last few years, many of Stella's closest friends & family members did not know how terribly ill she was. It was her way of coping with this disease. I do believe that my Sister didn't want anyone to worry about her and that is the main reason why she sheltered so many from the news that she was so ill.
   Stella & I were finally alone this afternoon. I had my Sissy all to myself for a little while. I told her how much I loved her and how happy I was that we had such a great year together. Then, I prayed with her and used the Holy Water and made the Sign of the Cross on her forehead, lips & chest. We held hands. We talked about happy things.
   Soon after, the Hospice Nurse arrived. Her name is Cathy. She was so kind to us. She asked Stella if she was a Spiritual person & my sister nodded, "Yes.". She comforted my sister with her words. When she was leaving, I had a chance to talk to her alone. I asked her if  she thought Stella knew how bad things were. She said she thinks she does & that she is protecting us. Then I asked Cathy how much time she thought that Stella had left. She told me that she thought that Stella would be at peace within a few days. I already knew the answer in my heart when I saw her yesterday. Her lungs are beginning to fill with fluid, she has a fever, and she isn't eating. I don't want her to be in anymore pain.
    I am so grateful that I am able to be here with Stella. I am also very grateful that I have such wonderful family & friends at home who have offered their help while I am here.

Please keep praying for her. Thank you. Love, Grace