Almost 50

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Yesterday was Penny’s 49th birthday.

Today I can start telling her she is almost 50.

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes, and your messages.

I just remembered today that Penny had been using a yahoo account for her email and logged in to peek. There were almost 300 messages in her inbox since she last logged in there. I have only been checking her Telus account for her. And I said I was reading all her mail to her…apparently not.

Penny is looking a little better since Wednesday. Her pallor is noticeably improved. She is still having a lot of trouble with the nausea, and it is worse today because they changed her medication for it but she won’t let them put another needle in just yet. They actually want to put 3 more in, to make a total of 5, plus the IV in her hand for a total of six. One for each medication she is currently taking. Sounds like a bit much, but I suppose it beats getting a needle every time you have to take meds. Had a bad night with the pain again, and is struggling a little today. They switched her back to morphine last night, and every time they switch the meds it takes a while to adjust the dose just right to keep her comfy. She is holding out to see the Doctor before she gets poked again.

Noon

Doctor was just in. Going to try and give more of her meds through IV for now, but will eventually have to put the other needles in. A temporary reprieve.

Took her for a spin around the fifth floor in a wheelchair Thursday night, and got her into the shower for a shampoo as well. And after doing all that nice stuff for her she kicked me out of her room, sent me home for a nap. Friday night she was up for a visit with Peter and Tanya, and Mom and Dad are here for hours every day to visit. There are maybe two hours out of 24 in intervals that Penny is up for anything. She sleeps, or tries to, for the other 22. She mentioned this morning how nice it would be to have just a little bit more energy.

Penny called me at home last night to say the palliative nurse had been for a visit. She said we should know by Monday night or Tuesday about being admitted to hospice. I will try to read her birthday greetings to her when she is up for it.

Michael