Things are looking up, Uncle Bobby is here now and Mom is her glory! She's taking her pills regularly and even trying to eat more! She tells me it is because Uncle Bot has finesse - I think it's his pretty blue eyes or it may be the special herbal preparation we're giving her. Yesterday, Joe and Uncle Bob were in with her and she was drinking beer and having pork rinds!; this is the happiest I've seen her in months. (Don't anyone panic, the nurse says she can have whatever makes her happy!)
We were really sad to see Aunt Edna leave this morning, as she has been a tremendous help, as well as a supportive shoulder to lean on and we thank her for all she's done and look forward to her return.
Mom
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, 2/24
Well, we got the hospital bed yesterday; which meant she had to sit up in a wheelchair while they set it up. So, she was really tired and cranky most of yesterday. Today is somewhat better, now that she's had some rest. We're working on getting some food down her. She seems rather excited about Chicken Cordon Bleu for dinner, so we've got our fingers crossed. Her brother, Bob, comes this evening and Aunt Edna leaves on Saturday.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, 2/22
Right now, we're taking things one day at a time. She has good times and bad - sometimes she's making jokes and others, she's quite ornery and rather fussy. Food seems to be staying down, however she doesn't have much of an appetite. We're getting a hospital bed tomorrow and hoping that will make her more comfortable.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, 2/20
Well, she's still pretty weak, but the new combo of meds seem to keeping the pain at bay and to a lesser degree, to make her nausea a little more tolerable. She's been able to keep a little bit of food down over the past few days and the visiting nurse comes tomorrow. We're hoping that we're on the right track to getting her strength back!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, 2/18
Well, saw medical oncologist and his suggestion was that we try to get her strength and vigor back before we decide about chemotherapy. So, we will be working with home care nurses for strategies and ideas on how to get her back on her feet.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, 2/17
Well, yesterday was only slightly better than Wednesday. We've started using the inhaler again and this seems to have made it much easier for her to breathe. The new pain meds seem to be controlling her pain pretty well. Now the biggest hurdles are nausea and constipation. The home nurse was here yesterday and suggested some strategies, so hopefully these will help. We see the medical oncologist this morning (Fri) to discuss chem options.
She's really getting sick of pills and when I bring a handful, I can just see in her eyes that she doesn't want to take them. Is really difficult.
She's really getting sick of pills and when I bring a handful, I can just see in her eyes that she doesn't want to take them. Is really difficult.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, 2/16
Well, today hasn't been a great day. She's been nauseous and has had very little to eat. She has felt pretty poorly all day.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, 2/15
Well, she's been able to keep 3 meals down today and has been drinking much more liquids. I think she wants to make sure that she doesn't go back to the hospital! I'm hoping that we now have the right combination of medications so that she can have some peace.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, 2/14
Everyone has always said what a strong woman Mom is, while I'm here to tell you that sometimes she is just down right ornery!! She insisted on being discharged today, although she's still unable to keep anything down. I'm sure we''re going to end up back in the ER in a few days - stay tuned.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday, 2/13
So, she's still in the hospital, still struggling with the nausea and having trouble keeping food down. However, she doesn't have any obstructions, thankfully.The are working to adjust her medications and seem to have her head pain under control. They are hopeful that they'll be able to release her tomorrow, we are keeping our fingers crossed.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Friday, 2/11
Last day of radiation therapy!!
So, today ended up being her last day of radiation therapy.They even gave her a certificate of achievement. But, the last two days she's been feeling pretty poorly. She's been quite constipated (due to the medications) and nauseous. Since she even throws up water, she's become very dehydrated.
Yesterday, during radiation therapy, the doc is concerned that she's still having pain in her head and the nausea; so he orders a CT scan to rule out hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain). Then, because she's so dehydrated, they order IV fluids - which were administered in the chemo ward.
Then today, the nurse tells us to give her Magnesium Citrate in order to get her bowels to move. So, right after we do this she begins to vomit bile. We call the oncology nurse and she tells us to take her to the ER. So, that's where we spent the afternoon. They admitted her, thinking that perhaps she has some type of GI obstruction. But, that doesn't seem to be the case. So, now she's in for two days of various methods of getting her bowels to move. She is not going to be pleased! I think she's getting tired of all the tests and doctor visits.
We aren't quite sure yet when we'll see the medical oncologist. Mom says she wants a few days to rest first . . .
So, today ended up being her last day of radiation therapy.They even gave her a certificate of achievement. But, the last two days she's been feeling pretty poorly. She's been quite constipated (due to the medications) and nauseous. Since she even throws up water, she's become very dehydrated.
Yesterday, during radiation therapy, the doc is concerned that she's still having pain in her head and the nausea; so he orders a CT scan to rule out hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain). Then, because she's so dehydrated, they order IV fluids - which were administered in the chemo ward.
Then today, the nurse tells us to give her Magnesium Citrate in order to get her bowels to move. So, right after we do this she begins to vomit bile. We call the oncology nurse and she tells us to take her to the ER. So, that's where we spent the afternoon. They admitted her, thinking that perhaps she has some type of GI obstruction. But, that doesn't seem to be the case. So, now she's in for two days of various methods of getting her bowels to move. She is not going to be pleased! I think she's getting tired of all the tests and doctor visits.
We aren't quite sure yet when we'll see the medical oncologist. Mom says she wants a few days to rest first . . .
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wednesday, 2/9/11
Today has been a pretty bad day. She's been nauseous since Monday afternoon, unable to keep anything down. We worked with the palliative care nurse to change her medication and hopefully that will work. She's now taking Zofran for nausea and Dilaudid for the pain. They tell us these are both stronger and we're really hoping they'll give her some comfort. She vomited and a had a nosebleed at the clinic today. She's been pretty wiped out and sleeping all day.
Her hair falling out was starting to make her nervous, so we just shaved it today. I asked her if she'd like it if it grew back red and she laughed and just said as long as it wasn't gray, she didn't care what color it came back. I, for one, think she looks great with gray hair - but apparently, she doesn't.
Her hair falling out was starting to make her nervous, so we just shaved it today. I asked her if she'd like it if it grew back red and she laughed and just said as long as it wasn't gray, she didn't care what color it came back. I, for one, think she looks great with gray hair - but apparently, she doesn't.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Monday, 2/9/11
Day 12 of radiation therapy.
We are currently working with the palliative care nurse to find a way to manage her pain. She originally started out taking only Vicodin, but that wasn't quite enough so now she's also taking morphine. Her hair started falling out this weekend. Pat says that along with Joe, they'll make the 3 bald musketeers. Mom is keeping her humor through all this she tells me that she likes having Joe, Cathy and I care for her because she can boss us around!
We are currently working with the palliative care nurse to find a way to manage her pain. She originally started out taking only Vicodin, but that wasn't quite enough so now she's also taking morphine. Her hair started falling out this weekend. Pat says that along with Joe, they'll make the 3 bald musketeers. Mom is keeping her humor through all this she tells me that she likes having Joe, Cathy and I care for her because she can boss us around!
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