Whirlwind of days
Sunday was a good day, Bob's brother visited and Bob walked from the bed to the bedroom door.
Monday came, and Bob wasn't even able to stand up for the physical therapist.
Monday night he spent the night coughing and in pain from coughing. He'd start to cough and I would put pressure on the small of his back to alleviate the pain.
Tuesday morning, I couldn't wake him very easily, and wanted to have a nurse see him because of the coughing. He had a fever, and pnuemonia, and was put on antibiotics because the coughing was causing him so much pain. Dean, Bob's brother came Tuesday evening to stay the night, as I needed the sleep. The hospice nurse came again that evening to make sure everything was okay and to change the morphine cartridge. Bob woke up in excrutiating pain twice during the night, so we had a hospice nurse that day to increase the meds. He had never woken up with so much pain as that night. Very scary. So with the increase in morphine, he's babbling again, which can be very hard to take. I'll go in there and chat with him for a while, but need a break.
A friend dropped off a book today, written by hospice personnel about Near Death Awareness and communicatio with people who are dying. I am devouring the book.
Must go do other things.
One day at a time. One precious moment at a time. Thank you Lord.
Karen
Monday came, and Bob wasn't even able to stand up for the physical therapist.
Monday night he spent the night coughing and in pain from coughing. He'd start to cough and I would put pressure on the small of his back to alleviate the pain.
Tuesday morning, I couldn't wake him very easily, and wanted to have a nurse see him because of the coughing. He had a fever, and pnuemonia, and was put on antibiotics because the coughing was causing him so much pain. Dean, Bob's brother came Tuesday evening to stay the night, as I needed the sleep. The hospice nurse came again that evening to make sure everything was okay and to change the morphine cartridge. Bob woke up in excrutiating pain twice during the night, so we had a hospice nurse that day to increase the meds. He had never woken up with so much pain as that night. Very scary. So with the increase in morphine, he's babbling again, which can be very hard to take. I'll go in there and chat with him for a while, but need a break.
A friend dropped off a book today, written by hospice personnel about Near Death Awareness and communicatio with people who are dying. I am devouring the book.
Must go do other things.
One day at a time. One precious moment at a time. Thank you Lord.
Karen
Replies
My Sweet Friend,
Tears are falling as I read your journal. I can\'t begin to imagine how hard this time is for you and your precious Bob. It\'s wonderful that his brother is helping. Please accept all help offered...as you can only do so much.
May our Lord give you peace, strength, and comfort. My prayers are with you and Bob.
Much Love,
Ingrid
Karen,
My prayers are with you and the rest of your family during this very painful time. God bless and keep you. Love, Vernell
Dear Karen, You are doing a wonderful job of caring for Bob. I know how difficult this responsibility is. It is especially hard on you to watch the person you love so dearly have pain. Your use of the hospice nurses is exactly what you need to do for help and support. I am praying for you and your dear husband. Try to get some rest when Bob is sleeping. My love and prayers to you. Linda
Dear Karen - many prayers for you, and for Bob. this is such an unbearable time, but you\'re managing it with such grace and surefootedness, or so it seems to the onlooker. The pain is a terrible thing to watch, and I\'m glad that they are able to increase the meds to alleviate it. One thing that our doctor at the palliative/pain care clinic once said to us was, \'there\'s never nothing we can do\'. So keep on utilising all the resources that you can, and all the support that you can, including, it goes without saying, your enormous faith.
with love and blessings,
Meriel
Dear Karen,
i am so sorry for this time for you and your family, you do have enourmous faith and strength, my love and prayers are with you, Bob and your family..
Love,
Becca
I\'ve been in this exact situation... It is hard but like you said one day at a time one moment at a time. They put my dad on a breathing treatment type machine to help with the coughing and the morphine would calm him down along with running my hands through his hair. If you need someone to talk to I am here, and more than willing to send my number in a private message for you. Hang in there I know it is hard and restless.
Your journal is heartbreaking. I along with so many of DS friends are praying for you both. I hope you can feel those prayers. As I walked our dog this morning I asked God to just give me the strength to help Steve. I often pray for everyone as I walk outside and I hope they are helping you and Bob. God help us all as we move on this journey. I am so gratefull that we have God to talk to.
In Christian love,
Wanda
Your journal is heartbreaking. I along with so many of DS friends are praying for you both. I hope you can feel those prayers. As I walked our dog this morning I asked God to just give me the strength to help Steve. I often pray for everyone as I walk outside and I hope they are helping you and Bob. God help us all as we move on this journey. I am so gratefull that we have God to talk to.
In Christian love,
Wanda