Last Friday was a surprisingly good day. Dean slept well once he settled down. I was also surprised that he didn't call for me until almost 9 a.m. When I went to help him get up, he said he just dreamed that he got up on his own and walked to the bathroom.
Though he wouldn't eat any solid food, he was able to sit at the table and have some hot broth and a little fruit. He was even telling funny stories from his childhood and working days in Cleveland. Jonathan had the video camera going that he borrowed from a friend. It was so good to laugh together.
The Hallmark channel showed a continuous run on Saturday of the "Love Comes Softly" movies that Dean likes so well. We watched them all. People from the hospice care came and went, delivering supplies and meds and getting us set up. Sunday was a beautiful warm spring day, but we all slept through most of it, me on the couch and Jonathan on the loveseat. Jonathan and I are starting to show signs of fatigue and just needed the extra rest I guess.
Monday brought a hospice caregiver to help with bathing and general questions. She was filling in, but we both felt at ease with her so I called and requested to have her assigned to us. Attempts at solid food were unsucccessful. The best I could get him to eat was very thin split pea soup and a slice of cantelope.
We adjusted his bed a little today. He is spending more time lying down now, sitting up just once or twice, and not for long. While he was up this morning, Jonathan put a large, puffy sleeping bag on top of the mattress. After covering with a clean sheet, I put the lamb skin on top. It's the real thing, one I bought at the State Fair for newborn Jonathan. It seems to have supplied some comfort. I also pulled out my chair massage pad and put it under his feet and calves. We ran it several times today and he said it made is feet feel better.
I had to run to the pharmacy for my own meds and while there noticed the row of protein products for body builders. I found some whey protein that delivers 18g in each serving. Since he is getting practically none, I hoped this might work. I mixed with refrigerated water and he was able to get it down without difficulty, and even liked it! Hopefully he will get at least a couple servings each day and see if it helps his energy level.
The good news is he has no pain. Thanks Pamella, Cynthia, Cindy, Gail, Ginny, Valinda, Suzanne, Mimi, Frankie and Karen for your kind offers of help, encouragement, caring emails and prayers. Thanks Paul and Karen for all your help getting Dean transported-we couldn't have done it without you. Thanks Don and Jan for decades of love. I'm sure I've forgotten someone so please forgive me. I have to have notes all over the house to try to keep track of things.
Though he wouldn't eat any solid food, he was able to sit at the table and have some hot broth and a little fruit. He was even telling funny stories from his childhood and working days in Cleveland. Jonathan had the video camera going that he borrowed from a friend. It was so good to laugh together.
October 1994
The Hallmark channel showed a continuous run on Saturday of the "Love Comes Softly" movies that Dean likes so well. We watched them all. People from the hospice care came and went, delivering supplies and meds and getting us set up. Sunday was a beautiful warm spring day, but we all slept through most of it, me on the couch and Jonathan on the loveseat. Jonathan and I are starting to show signs of fatigue and just needed the extra rest I guess.
Monday brought a hospice caregiver to help with bathing and general questions. She was filling in, but we both felt at ease with her so I called and requested to have her assigned to us. Attempts at solid food were unsucccessful. The best I could get him to eat was very thin split pea soup and a slice of cantelope.
We adjusted his bed a little today. He is spending more time lying down now, sitting up just once or twice, and not for long. While he was up this morning, Jonathan put a large, puffy sleeping bag on top of the mattress. After covering with a clean sheet, I put the lamb skin on top. It's the real thing, one I bought at the State Fair for newborn Jonathan. It seems to have supplied some comfort. I also pulled out my chair massage pad and put it under his feet and calves. We ran it several times today and he said it made is feet feel better.
I had to run to the pharmacy for my own meds and while there noticed the row of protein products for body builders. I found some whey protein that delivers 18g in each serving. Since he is getting practically none, I hoped this might work. I mixed with refrigerated water and he was able to get it down without difficulty, and even liked it! Hopefully he will get at least a couple servings each day and see if it helps his energy level.
The good news is he has no pain. Thanks Pamella, Cynthia, Cindy, Gail, Ginny, Valinda, Suzanne, Mimi, Frankie and Karen for your kind offers of help, encouragement, caring emails and prayers. Thanks Paul and Karen for all your help getting Dean transported-we couldn't have done it without you. Thanks Don and Jan for decades of love. I'm sure I've forgotten someone so please forgive me. I have to have notes all over the house to try to keep track of things.
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