...of how she is doing, who is helping when, and what we are thinking about while we help her with her care and life.
So many people have been helping it really is a testament to her family and friends. I can't even imagine her going through all this without everyone. Jack and Lisa in particular have been as Mom says "complete angels". They just told me that Connie Hume donated a stair lift and that Jack will be installing it in a couple days. Thats great news for everyone!
Mom had a really rough night last night with Andy and then Lisa as well. Looking over the drug notebook it looks like her timing was off on her pain meds which may have contributed to things as well as a strenuous physical therapy session that wiped her completely out. ( i hear she couldn't even lift her head) Her morning wasn't much better, but by the time I arrived around 1pm she seemed to be somewhat better. I also didn't notice any great difference in her from when I saw her at Christmas which was a relief.
This afternoon we convinced her with the help of Anna-Marie and Dr. Dasher to try the duragesic patch which supposedly has the strength of morphine with less of the bad affects that she doesn't like. It also will help with her sleeping and hopefully eliminate the need for alarm-clock drug-intervals. So far so good as she has been dosing off here and there all night and now is asleep upstairs. She is augmenting the patch with tylenol, advil, and the occasional darvocet if things get real sticky. I really hope this combo gives her the relief she needs to get some rest and enjoy the company of those around her.
We need to talk about a schedule for care and work it out so Mom has someone here all the time. Perhaps we can use this blog to accomplish some of that. I think you can subscribe to the blog and have it email you when anyone posts. I am hoping that anyone caring for her will check in on here and write a thing or two. (about mom)..(although jokes, funny stories, or rememberances are not shunned upon)
Julie is coming up tomorrow to have lunch and then stay over. I don't know who is going to be around this week to help out, but we need to coordinate. She really does need someone here round the clock, even if it's only for small things like brushing her teeth. I can't see her being alone anymore, her strength is too low.
The only other person I know that is coming up soon is Mary on the 21st. I'll be here that weekend before. If I can get out of work next monday I might come up sunday. I have to work saturday.
Well I'm going to get some shut eye before she calls me to come help with something.
I hope people use this site and that it helps us help her. :)
-Silas
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3 comments:
I just wanted to let remind everyone that jack and I will be away 1/12 through 1/19. Other than that we are here to help as needed.
Silas, great idea! It can work in a number of ways for Anne.
Schedule things... Anne has back to back appointments with Dr. Masteroni and the radiation doc this Wednesday (not sure of the time) in Saratoga, and needs hep getting there. (If she is strong enough to go). The radiation visit is to do pre-radiation planning, then in about a week to probably start daily radiation for the growths on her chin and her jaw joint.
Also my sister Mary is coming up starting on Monday, 1/21 for 3 -4 days, and I will then come up for 4-5 days when she leaves.
Also my wife Joanne can come up for the nights of 1/19 and 1/20 if needed.
Diversions to help her think about other things than her pain or situation... She likes to play two- person Rummy, and is pretty good at it.
She also loves to watch Men in Trees and Desperate Housewives when they are on. Don't know if they can be recorded on DVD so they can be viewed earlier in the day, but it would help. also movies on DVD are good.
When she is in a good mood and has some energy, she can go in the wheelchair to the computer and read here email... she has tons to delete that have never been read, mostly junk or too old to matter.
Maybe someone could read this message to her...
She kknows about these "Elder's Meditations":
Elder's Meditation of the Day - January 6
"When we're through with this earth and all these problems, we don't have to come back. But as long as we're here we have a job to do and a purpose to fulfill and that means dealing with the circumstances around us."
--Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE
We are put on the earth to participate in life. We have a beautiful mind, we have the ability to pray, we have the ability to change, we have the ability to accept, and we have choices. All things God created are constantly changing. This constant change causes our circumstances to change. Sometimes we say life is difficult. During these times we need to use our tools: the tools of prayer, and the tools of meditation. We are designed to change and live joyfully on this earth. The only requirement for living joyfully is to live according to the laws, principles and values given to us by the Creator.
Great Spirit, give me Your courage today, and guide my footsteps.
Thanks,
Call me anytime,
Sam 716-713-8621
OOPS!!!
I misspelled shin! The second growth is on her right leg at the shin, not the "chin". Sorry,
Sam
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