Mom has been between the bed and the living room most of the day. She hasn't been feeling great. She is having some pain that we are trying to cover w/her breakthru meds. It doesn't feel like these are working right now. With the additional medications, her pain is down to about a 3, but she is druggy Mommy tonight.
She has been eating today and had fluids but she just isn't herself today. We are on the road Sunday to come back to Greensboro. Appointment w/George Monday morning. I will try to post an update when I get back to a computer on Monday. I am glad we are going to see George on Monday. I just talked w/Wendy and she is going to meet us at George's on Monday. We will double bag her if she is too germified, but we both need to be at this appointment.
Again, I want to thank everyone for the cards and the food. Thanks to my friend Melane for the wonderful dinner and baby cokes.
Keep us in your prayers this week. Please pass the link to this blog around. I know that it is hard to stay in touch with Mom with her being at my house, but please understand her energy level right now. I am very protective of her sleep.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Voice Mail Messages
I just went thru all of Mom's voice messages tonight. Please don't be mad if I don't return a call for Mom. If you left a number, I will try to give you a call over the weekend.
Ouch
Today, they changed the access on Mom's port as well as giving her PT.
We woke up about 7:30 and I took a run to Biscuitville for breakfast. We were moving around and up. I called the drug store this morning to ask about the prescription for the Ethyl Chloride spray for Mom. No dice. Called Dr and tried to figure out what I missed here yesterday. George and Kelly are both on vacation. Tried to get another Dr to write prescription, but protocol is only for this to be written for Hospice patients. (Honestly not sure what else you can do with this but obviously this is in demand.) Will deal with on Monday when we have an appointment. I know there are rules but they didn't have to see Mom in tears and hold her hands when Lois redid the access. I know that everything isn't easy but this could have been easier.
Plus Mom confessed to having some pain last night and this morning when Lois was here. We covered this w/her breakthru med but this made her pretty sleepy the remainder of the day. Richard came in for PT but Mom was pretty well zonked. She did a couple of the exercises but didn't do the full round. Richard wrote up a report to take back to George. If Mom does go in the hospital for Chemo, I don't want us to lose ground on the strength she has gained this week.
Mom had a milkshake for dinner and went back to sleep. She is having the druggy sleep, not the normal sleep she has had this week. Will see what Saturday brings.
I am starting to get anxious about the Monday visit. I am not sure what this will bring. Not sure when Mom will start Chemo again and where we will end up this week. (Greensboro or Fuquay). As soon as I know, will post something here to let you know.
Wendy has the Flu so she is banned from seeing Mom this weekend. She sounds like trash on the phone.
We woke up about 7:30 and I took a run to Biscuitville for breakfast. We were moving around and up. I called the drug store this morning to ask about the prescription for the Ethyl Chloride spray for Mom. No dice. Called Dr and tried to figure out what I missed here yesterday. George and Kelly are both on vacation. Tried to get another Dr to write prescription, but protocol is only for this to be written for Hospice patients. (Honestly not sure what else you can do with this but obviously this is in demand.) Will deal with on Monday when we have an appointment. I know there are rules but they didn't have to see Mom in tears and hold her hands when Lois redid the access. I know that everything isn't easy but this could have been easier.
Plus Mom confessed to having some pain last night and this morning when Lois was here. We covered this w/her breakthru med but this made her pretty sleepy the remainder of the day. Richard came in for PT but Mom was pretty well zonked. She did a couple of the exercises but didn't do the full round. Richard wrote up a report to take back to George. If Mom does go in the hospital for Chemo, I don't want us to lose ground on the strength she has gained this week.
Mom had a milkshake for dinner and went back to sleep. She is having the druggy sleep, not the normal sleep she has had this week. Will see what Saturday brings.
I am starting to get anxious about the Monday visit. I am not sure what this will bring. Not sure when Mom will start Chemo again and where we will end up this week. (Greensboro or Fuquay). As soon as I know, will post something here to let you know.
Wendy has the Flu so she is banned from seeing Mom this weekend. She sounds like trash on the phone.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Most Days
Most days I can pretend that Mom is not sick. But today, I want my old Mommy back. Work exploded today as someone launched an attack on our firewall. [If I ever find out who you are, I will beat the absolute trash out of you.] Between last night and today, this added just another layer of stress. I want my old Mommy back with the prissy hair, makeup and smart mouth.
I was running out the door at work to get Mom to get her hair cut at 12:45. Since she was doing better walking (longer distances, less wobbles) , we went to Styles by Stacey to have this done. Plus, this was the only way I could figure out how to get Mom's hair washed with her port accessed right now. You all know my Mom. It was all I could do not to cry as Stacey washed her hair and I could see it in the sink. When she combed it, she would put it behind Mom to keep her from seeing. Stacey cut Mom's hair really quickly because she had ran out of energy. Once we got back home, had some lunch and fluids, we were down for the count.
I can't put this in words how incredibly horrible this was today. My Mom's hair is just that. We all know and hear about it all the time. The flowers, the cut, the color, the products. I can't think Stacey enough for both Mom and me and how gentle she was with both of us. Love is patient and kind.
More wonderful food arrived on our doorstep today. Thanks to Pat for the wonderful soup, crackers and more Popsicles. I can't tell you how much I appreciate not having to worry about what Mom will eat today.
Good Things Today:
1. Hair Cut
2. Wonderful soup
3. We actually were out in the wonderful weather for a little while.
4. Everybody who loves my Mom. Thanks Kathy and Gail for the card today.
5. Mom had on real clothes today for a while.
6. I got upgraded to the High Bed - Thanks Erin.
Voice Mails - I can't find Mom's phone today so we will keep it at 32.
I was running out the door at work to get Mom to get her hair cut at 12:45. Since she was doing better walking (longer distances, less wobbles) , we went to Styles by Stacey to have this done. Plus, this was the only way I could figure out how to get Mom's hair washed with her port accessed right now. You all know my Mom. It was all I could do not to cry as Stacey washed her hair and I could see it in the sink. When she combed it, she would put it behind Mom to keep her from seeing. Stacey cut Mom's hair really quickly because she had ran out of energy. Once we got back home, had some lunch and fluids, we were down for the count.
I can't put this in words how incredibly horrible this was today. My Mom's hair is just that. We all know and hear about it all the time. The flowers, the cut, the color, the products. I can't think Stacey enough for both Mom and me and how gentle she was with both of us. Love is patient and kind.
More wonderful food arrived on our doorstep today. Thanks to Pat for the wonderful soup, crackers and more Popsicles. I can't tell you how much I appreciate not having to worry about what Mom will eat today.
Good Things Today:
1. Hair Cut
2. Wonderful soup
3. We actually were out in the wonderful weather for a little while.
4. Everybody who loves my Mom. Thanks Kathy and Gail for the card today.
5. Mom had on real clothes today for a while.
6. I got upgraded to the High Bed - Thanks Erin.
Voice Mails - I can't find Mom's phone today so we will keep it at 32.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Round and Round
Not sure where the day went. Mom got up early (about 7:30 AM) , ate breakfast in bed and slept until Richard the PT guy got here around 10:30. Mom was able to do 2 laps around the kitchen/living room/dining room after her PT exercises. Mom stayed in the living room until around 3:00 PM and then went to sleep in the big bed for a while. Back to the living room for dinner (just some crackers and peanut butter) and she sat up in the recliner for a while. She just went to bed (back in the big bed) for the night.
I called the Pharmacy tonight about Ethyl Chloride spray for Mom. [Thanks Amy]. This is a spray that you can use before you get stuck to numb the skin. The IV Nurses don't normally carry this. It just makes changing her port access easier on Mom. They also make cream but this takes about an hour to work. You need a prescription but they went ahead and ordered it for me and I will call the Dr in the AM to have them do this.
Tomorrow is a busy day. We are going to try to go and get Mom's hair cut instead of having it done at the house. Since Mom can do 2 laps around the house, she can move enough to get in/out of Stacey's place. We also have fluids tomorrow.
Sorry about the late post. We had some email issues at work today and that has taken the bulk of daylight.
Good Things About Today:
1. Mom walked 2 laps around the house today. Richard was talking about what a big difference a week has made in Mom.
2. Mom is excited about getting her hair cut. (If you know Mom, you know how she is about her hair.)
Voice Mail Messages on Mom's Phone: 32
Random Strangeness Today: You can put some types of wipes in the microwave. This is a great thing. With Mom's port being accessed, water around the site becomes an issue. You can warm these up and have at it when you can't take a shower.
I called the Pharmacy tonight about Ethyl Chloride spray for Mom. [Thanks Amy]. This is a spray that you can use before you get stuck to numb the skin. The IV Nurses don't normally carry this. It just makes changing her port access easier on Mom. They also make cream but this takes about an hour to work. You need a prescription but they went ahead and ordered it for me and I will call the Dr in the AM to have them do this.
Tomorrow is a busy day. We are going to try to go and get Mom's hair cut instead of having it done at the house. Since Mom can do 2 laps around the house, she can move enough to get in/out of Stacey's place. We also have fluids tomorrow.
Sorry about the late post. We had some email issues at work today and that has taken the bulk of daylight.
Good Things About Today:
1. Mom walked 2 laps around the house today. Richard was talking about what a big difference a week has made in Mom.
2. Mom is excited about getting her hair cut. (If you know Mom, you know how she is about her hair.)
Voice Mail Messages on Mom's Phone: 32
Random Strangeness Today: You can put some types of wipes in the microwave. This is a great thing. With Mom's port being accessed, water around the site becomes an issue. You can warm these up and have at it when you can't take a shower.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Two and a Half Mommies
We are hanging out in the living room watching 2 and 1/2 Men. We did the bottom 1/2 of the PT exercises this morning after fluids (Legs) and then took a nap. More POTATO SOUP for dinner. I am curious to see how much weight she has gained this week. I have gained 2 lbs eating the same things as her and she is also drinking Ensure. If she hasn't put on at least 5 lbs, I will be surprised.
I went and picked up a recliner off Craig's List today in Apex. Mom needs to sit up in a chair to help strengthen her core muscles. We have big, squashy furniture which makes it hard to sit up straight.
If you want to talk to Mom, drop me an email and I will send you my phone number. Our address is: 407 Holland Road, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526.
We will back in Greensboro sometime Sunday for a Dr's Appt w/George Monday AM. After Monday, we should know the plans for the next round of Chemo.
From Mom:
Life is good in the Boraski Bed and Breakfast. 4 stars. I feel better than I have in a long time.
Good Things for Today:
1. POTATO SOUP
2. Cards and emails for Mom
Voice Mail Messages on Mom's Phone: 32
Random Strangeness from Today: The heparin that I use to flush Mom's port after fluids has been recalled. I got a call today from the pharmacist telling me they would switch our supplies out in the AM and not to use it today. She told me not to worry, they haven't seen any problems and this was a precautionary recall. Not a conversation I had planned to have today.
I went and picked up a recliner off Craig's List today in Apex. Mom needs to sit up in a chair to help strengthen her core muscles. We have big, squashy furniture which makes it hard to sit up straight.
If you want to talk to Mom, drop me an email and I will send you my phone number. Our address is: 407 Holland Road, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526.
We will back in Greensboro sometime Sunday for a Dr's Appt w/George Monday AM. After Monday, we should know the plans for the next round of Chemo.
From Mom:
Life is good in the Boraski Bed and Breakfast. 4 stars. I feel better than I have in a long time.
Good Things for Today:
1. POTATO SOUP
2. Cards and emails for Mom
Voice Mail Messages on Mom's Phone: 32
Random Strangeness from Today: The heparin that I use to flush Mom's port after fluids has been recalled. I got a call today from the pharmacist telling me they would switch our supplies out in the AM and not to use it today. She told me not to worry, they haven't seen any problems and this was a precautionary recall. Not a conversation I had planned to have today.
Pimento Cheese and Potato Soup
Mom is hanging out in bed this morning and having some fluids. She usually feels better after this. On tap for today is our round of doing the PT exercises and EATING PIMENTO CHEESE and POTATO SOUP. This deserves to be in all capital letters. Bonnie (thanks thanks thanks) brought us HOME MADE POTATO SOUP and HOME MADE PIMENTO CHEESE today.
If you don't know me, cooking is a major issue at my house. I set the smoke detector off weekly trying to cook things that come out of a box. I had Tuna Fish Sandwiches planned out today,(PS Thanks to Bev for the Tuna Fish, Potato Rolls and Popsicle's) but little did I know that PIMENTO CHEESE and POTATO SOUP was on the way.
We are going to eat lunch, do a little walking around the house and hang out today.
If you don't know me, cooking is a major issue at my house. I set the smoke detector off weekly trying to cook things that come out of a box. I had Tuna Fish Sandwiches planned out today,(PS Thanks to Bev for the Tuna Fish, Potato Rolls and Popsicle's) but little did I know that PIMENTO CHEESE and POTATO SOUP was on the way.
We are going to eat lunch, do a little walking around the house and hang out today.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Night Night Mommy
Now that the day is over, a little more detail about what our day looks like:
Mom woke up around 8:00 AM and hung around in the bed until breakfast. For breakfast, Mom had a boiled egg, a blueberry muffin, 2 glasses of apple juice, (1 doesn't count.. It has Miralax mixed in (the name pretty much describes it's purpose)), some Ensure, (in a glass because she doesn't like the plastic bottles) and the morning meds. She hung back around in bed for a while and then moved to the living room.
We hung out in the living room. Mom had a couple of graham crackers with peanut butter, and then a pot pie for lunch w/a Diet Dr Pepper. She watched TV until around 1:30 when Richard, the wonderful PT guy got here.
Mom did exercises to strengthen her legs, arms and core. Our goal is to do these twice a day. She took a nap afterwards and then finished a milk shake from yesterday.
About 5:30 PM, Mom ate dinner and hung out a while longer on the couch. Just a few minutes ago, she decided she was ready to go to bed.
Good Things About Today:
1. Mom is eating.
2. Mom is getting stronger.
Voice Mail Messages on Mom's Phone: 32 (Hint: Get my number from someone and call Mom at my house. )
Random Helpful Thing from the PT Guy: I have a hard time hearing Mom in the back of the house. He suggested a wireless doorbell. You can pick these up for 10-15 dollars (way cheaper than a baby monitor) and Mom can carry the push button in a pocket and I just put the chime in the kitchen.
Mom woke up around 8:00 AM and hung around in the bed until breakfast. For breakfast, Mom had a boiled egg, a blueberry muffin, 2 glasses of apple juice, (1 doesn't count.. It has Miralax mixed in (the name pretty much describes it's purpose)), some Ensure, (in a glass because she doesn't like the plastic bottles) and the morning meds. She hung back around in bed for a while and then moved to the living room.
We hung out in the living room. Mom had a couple of graham crackers with peanut butter, and then a pot pie for lunch w/a Diet Dr Pepper. She watched TV until around 1:30 when Richard, the wonderful PT guy got here.
Mom did exercises to strengthen her legs, arms and core. Our goal is to do these twice a day. She took a nap afterwards and then finished a milk shake from yesterday.
About 5:30 PM, Mom ate dinner and hung out a while longer on the couch. Just a few minutes ago, she decided she was ready to go to bed.
Good Things About Today:
1. Mom is eating.
2. Mom is getting stronger.
Voice Mail Messages on Mom's Phone: 32 (Hint: Get my number from someone and call Mom at my house. )
Random Helpful Thing from the PT Guy: I have a hard time hearing Mom in the back of the house. He suggested a wireless doorbell. You can pick these up for 10-15 dollars (way cheaper than a baby monitor) and Mom can carry the push button in a pocket and I just put the chime in the kitchen.
Good Morning Sunshine
We have a busy day today. PT comes to help Mom get stronger today. She is doing this Monday/Wednesday/Friday at my house with this wonderful guy named Richard.
Mom is eating whatever she wants (whenever she wants). We had a easy Sunday. The IV nurse came and checked on Mom's port access. Mom had fluids and moved around the house some.
One of my friends is coming over this week to cut Mom's hair and we will have an IV nurse here on Friday to change Mom's port access.
Mom is eating whatever she wants (whenever she wants). We had a easy Sunday. The IV nurse came and checked on Mom's port access. Mom had fluids and moved around the house some.
One of my friends is coming over this week to cut Mom's hair and we will have an IV nurse here on Friday to change Mom's port access.
Introduction
I know everyone is wondering about Mom. I will try to update this briefly every day to let you know how she is doing.
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