Mom had her LAST infusion today! So now we just need to keep her hydrated and her electrolytes balanced, and we're on a good path. We popped by her office this week, and that really perked her up. She loved seeing everyone, and looks forward to going back when she can.
We've started to clean off her cutting table so that she can get back to quilting. Her mind is so active, but her body is limiting her activities, which is frustrating, so she was reminded that there are activities that she enjoys that she can do sitting down. This will help her pass the time without exhausting herself. Excellent suggestion, thank you. =)
Her endurance is getting better, she's not napping during the day anymore, and her appetite is back to normal generally, so she's making progress. We're in the soaring recovery part, and hoping to stretch this out as long as possible. Keep the prayers, cards, and phone calls coming, Mom really appreciates all of it.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Home, 3.5 Weeks
I wanted to clarify something, because I think I've been too protective of Mom. She loves getting cards and phone calls, that's still true. Don't be afraid to call her. If she can't get to the phone or she's sleeping, she won't answer it, or I'll answer it. If she's talking, and she gets tired, she'll indicate that.
She's getting stronger, even though it's only been about three weeks, and I think she'd like to have visitors for short periods of time. I say for short periods of time because she has worn herself out in the past by visiting too much, expending too much energy, and not realizing it until she's exhausted, and then it's too late. She loves seeing people and feeling, for lack of a better term, normal for awhile.
Our schedule varies from week to week, and day to day, depending on what the doctors say is going on, so it may take some patience on all of our parts to get things coordinated, but I really do think that some short visits would perk her up even more. Feel free to call her cell (the house phone had a bit of a snafu, it should be back in a week), and we can work on getting things arranged. =)
I've shown Mom a few parts of this blog (there's way too much for her to read in one sitting), but the first thing I showed her were the comments that you all have left. Between those and the e-mails she's received, she knows she's loved, supported, and prayed for, so thank you again for taking the time to tell her that. It means so much to her. I'll work on getting her to sign on here and post soon.
Oh, and since I don't know who knows and who doesn't, I'm moving (kinda) back to California for a while. Probably for about two years or so. My friend has given me the opportunity to stay here so I can be close to Mom (and the rest of the family of course) and spend more time with her. Since things are so unsure right now, I want to be able to do this, and I would regret it forever if I didn't take this offer. So I'll be going back to Florida to put things in storage and get my car probably in June, and then working my way back here. And if it turns out that in a few years, Mom has been cancer free for awhile, then I'll get on with things. But this is something I need to do right now. I'm happy and excited. =)
She's getting stronger, even though it's only been about three weeks, and I think she'd like to have visitors for short periods of time. I say for short periods of time because she has worn herself out in the past by visiting too much, expending too much energy, and not realizing it until she's exhausted, and then it's too late. She loves seeing people and feeling, for lack of a better term, normal for awhile.
Our schedule varies from week to week, and day to day, depending on what the doctors say is going on, so it may take some patience on all of our parts to get things coordinated, but I really do think that some short visits would perk her up even more. Feel free to call her cell (the house phone had a bit of a snafu, it should be back in a week), and we can work on getting things arranged. =)
I've shown Mom a few parts of this blog (there's way too much for her to read in one sitting), but the first thing I showed her were the comments that you all have left. Between those and the e-mails she's received, she knows she's loved, supported, and prayed for, so thank you again for taking the time to tell her that. It means so much to her. I'll work on getting her to sign on here and post soon.
Oh, and since I don't know who knows and who doesn't, I'm moving (kinda) back to California for a while. Probably for about two years or so. My friend has given me the opportunity to stay here so I can be close to Mom (and the rest of the family of course) and spend more time with her. Since things are so unsure right now, I want to be able to do this, and I would regret it forever if I didn't take this offer. So I'll be going back to Florida to put things in storage and get my car probably in June, and then working my way back here. And if it turns out that in a few years, Mom has been cancer free for awhile, then I'll get on with things. But this is something I need to do right now. I'm happy and excited. =)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Home, Week 3
It's been a decent week. Mom had hydration every day, including the weekend, but her levels are balancing out quite nicely. She had today off of hydration, and we felt like we were forgetting something, we've gotten so used to going to the hospital for most of the afternoon, LOL. She has hydration tomorrow and Monday, but she gets the weekend off. These are the tests to see how well she does at home with keeping herself at good levels. Things look promising. =)
She did some physical therapy today, since we had already cancelled all the home sessions this week due to our not being home. She's getting back to where she was before this small setback. Her appetite is healthy, almost back to pre-hospital levels, which is wonderful to see.
Mom still loves it when she gets cards, and we read over every one together. All of your love and support is very much appreciated, by all of us. Mom perks up when the mail comes, and drops what she's doing to read her cards. It's really sweet to watch. She's also enjoying the phone calls, and her strength is getting better, to the point where having visitors isn't too taxing, as long as she doesn't have too many in too short of a time. You know how too much excitement can be exhausting. =)
That's all for now. We'll continue to keep you posted. Until next week (no news is good news), keep Mom in your prayers, and thank you.
She did some physical therapy today, since we had already cancelled all the home sessions this week due to our not being home. She's getting back to where she was before this small setback. Her appetite is healthy, almost back to pre-hospital levels, which is wonderful to see.
Mom still loves it when she gets cards, and we read over every one together. All of your love and support is very much appreciated, by all of us. Mom perks up when the mail comes, and drops what she's doing to read her cards. It's really sweet to watch. She's also enjoying the phone calls, and her strength is getting better, to the point where having visitors isn't too taxing, as long as she doesn't have too many in too short of a time. You know how too much excitement can be exhausting. =)
That's all for now. We'll continue to keep you posted. Until next week (no news is good news), keep Mom in your prayers, and thank you.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Home, Week 2
Mom has had a crazy week. Her nausea was bad this weekend, and she's been getting fluids via IV for a few days now. She hasn't thrown up since Monday, and her appetite is coming back, so I think this step back is over.
Finding a balance for her nutrients is going to be a huge challenge, because her system is so delicate right now, she can have too much or too little of one element or another from one day to the next. We're all doing good though, and it's a learning experience for the entire household.
Thank you all for your love and support and appreciation. We're really glad things are getting better, and we're glad that we've been able to be together through this whole thing. I'm glad I've been able to do this blog, to keep you informed, as well as a way for Mom to look back when she's up to it and see what she's been through. She asked if we'd taken pictures of her while she was in the hospital, and we all looked at her funny. We told her that we didn't think she'd want to see what she looked like, and that a written account may be enough for her to absorb. Just goes to show, Mom is full of surprises. =)
Finding a balance for her nutrients is going to be a huge challenge, because her system is so delicate right now, she can have too much or too little of one element or another from one day to the next. We're all doing good though, and it's a learning experience for the entire household.
Thank you all for your love and support and appreciation. We're really glad things are getting better, and we're glad that we've been able to be together through this whole thing. I'm glad I've been able to do this blog, to keep you informed, as well as a way for Mom to look back when she's up to it and see what she's been through. She asked if we'd taken pictures of her while she was in the hospital, and we all looked at her funny. We told her that we didn't think she'd want to see what she looked like, and that a written account may be enough for her to absorb. Just goes to show, Mom is full of surprises. =)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Home, Saturday thru Today
Mom has been nauseous. She's thrown up pretty much every night, so we took her to get IV fluids today to help with the deyhdration. Her meds have been fiddled with, so hopefully we're finding a good combination. She's kept everything down today, so that's a positive. They did tests to see if she has a blockage, just as a precaution, but I'm seriously doubting she does. They were concerned about her kidneys, there was a chance she was going into renal failure, but I think it's been caught in time.
She'll be getting IV fluids all week, to make sure she stays hydrated. She's walking a fine line right now between not enough and too much of everything, so it's a real learning experience for all of us. One step at a time, one day at a time, right now the goal is to keep her out of the hospital. So far, so good. =) Keep her in your prayers, she needs all the strength she can get.
She'll be getting IV fluids all week, to make sure she stays hydrated. She's walking a fine line right now between not enough and too much of everything, so it's a real learning experience for all of us. One step at a time, one day at a time, right now the goal is to keep her out of the hospital. So far, so good. =) Keep her in your prayers, she needs all the strength she can get.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Home, Week 1
It's been a good week. Mom is home, things are good, we're all very optimistic. I'll probably be stretching out the time between posts now to every week or so, unless something is going on. Otherwise, no news is good news, and good progress. =)
Monday, March 31, 2008
Home, Days 2-5
Things have been going pretty constantly around here, so time is kinda limited to when Mom takes naps. =) She's had the home health company out, so she's got a nurse and a physical therapist working with her a couple times a week. Otherwise, we've been hanging out, watching some TV, and playing games. I (Olivia) have actually been cooking (no, don't call poison control), and making sure Mom is safe and taken care of during the day. She's been doing pretty good taking care of herself though, what with showering, getting dressed, getting up and down stairs, and those sorts of things, so we're doing pretty good.
She hasn't made her way to the computer yet, but that's on the goal list. Mom does say hi, and thank you for all your love, support, and prayers. She's waving from the next room as I type this. =)
She hasn't made her way to the computer yet, but that's on the goal list. Mom does say hi, and thank you for all your love, support, and prayers. She's waving from the next room as I type this. =)
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