Penny said I could post before heading home. So I'm sitting here not wanting to go at all and have been putting it off. How I wish I could stay.
It seems Monday was a little too much for her. She had gotten up for a while and Michael wheeled her out on the deck where we had supper. She even had a few bites of corn on the cob, potatoes and roast. Unfortunately that night was a very difficult one. Michael was up all night giving her break through meds every hour starting at 10:00pm taking her last med for breakthrough pain early the next morning. She was in a lot of pain.
In the morning things calmed down somewhat. She slept all morning and most of the afternoon. The nurse came late in the afternoon and I was impressed by how long she stayed with Penny. It was at least two hours if not longer. During this time, Penny asked the nurse about going into a hospice. She also talked to Michael last night about it and it appears that's what will happen over the next while. She will need to have an assessment done which determines whether she is at a point to be in a hospice but from the impression I got from the nurse, it doesn't look like there will be a problem with that. I asked what the criteria was and although she didn't go into to too much detail, she did say that they will accept anyone who they feel doesn't have more then 2 - 3 months. Also, since Penny is quite jaundice this week and she is pretty much bedridden these factors will be taken into account as well. The nurse will be stopping by today to take blood to get a better assessment of the liver.
I asked her how she felt about going into the hospice. She said to me that everything has been in stages and that this was the next one and that she's ready for it. She also mentioned how it's funny she can have little hopes of things like trips to BC or even going on a cruise but realistically she knows that's not going to happen. But I can see that the little fighter in her sure would like to try her darndest to make it happen. :) The positive thing about the hospice is that it'll give her a sense of relief knowing there are health care professionals around, hopefully getting her pain under control and that she can come home on the weekends as well. I think all round it's the right and best thing to do at this point.
Yesterday evening we had a nice time. A friend stopped by and we gathered in her bedroom and listened while he played a few tunes on his guitar. I think she really enjoyed it. Little things like that take her mind off the pain for a time.
During the night, it was better in that she wasn't up all night but this morning she's been in more pain again taking the meds for the breakthrough pain twice this morning. Night time and mornings are the worst for her so hopefully this afternoon is better and she can enjoy the pedicure that our younger sister, Paula, is planning on giving her. :) The difference between how she is between morning and late afternoon can be quite the change.
I'm not sure when she'll be able to post next. I'll mention to the family to ask her from time to time if they could type something for her so as all those that have expressed so much care and concern will continue to be updated from time to time.
On a personal note, I want to thank all those that continue to have her in their thoughts and prayers and have supported her and the entire family through all of this. It's meant so very much.
I hope I did ok sis!! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment