Hospice

Dean settled down last night and slept for about 5 hours before calling for us. He tried but was too weak to shuffle to the bathroom so we got him into a kitchen chair and Jonathan pushed him in it. He felt very unstable and was sure we were going to drop him. I asked if he would go for a blueberry pancake for breakfast and he said yes if he could have it with syrup. I loaded it up with blueberries and lightly scrambled an egg. Jonathan sat with him on the couch and said he only took one bite. The thought of food makes him nauseous now. A few sips of water made him wince.

He slept through most of the morning and afternoon, and while Nick from Odyssey Hospice came to explain the program and have us sign forms. A nurse came later to further discuss things. She will work directly with the oncologist to get the right meds and care. She said he had a little fever and to give him tylenol if it continued to rise. That explains his chills and wanting a sock hat. We have tried so hard to protect him from anyone that might give him a bug. A hospital bed, commode and oxygen were delivered soon after. I was at the dentist getting a gold cap recemented. It flew off while I was flossing and went right down the drain. (Thanks Dennis for swinging by and rescuing it for me--they were able to reuse it.) When I returned home, Jonathan had the oxygen hooked up and Dean seemed to be sleeping peacefully. We couldn't find a working thermometer in the house. Jonathan called the 24/7 number and was told to go ahead with a couple tylenol for now. The nurse is having some meds delivered on Friday--something for the nausea, an appetite stimulant, and pain meds just in case.

Jonathan and I are very clumsy nurses, but we managed to get him into the bed. However, this evening though he should be more comfortable than on the couch, he seemed not to be. We have difficulty interpreting his 'sounds' and when we ask he doesn't clearly articulate. A few hours ago he started holding and rubbing the right side of his abdomen. Unfortunately, that is where the cancer has expanded in his adrenal gland and on the tip of his kidney. The tumor in his liver has increased from 6.5 to 7.5 cm. When asked if he was in pain, he would respond "I don't know". He has come this far without pain, I pray it doesn't start now.

With both of us jumping up every couple of minutes when we would hear him, I gave him the metal measuring spoons hooked together to shake when he needs us to come. We need a brass or copper bell for him to ring. After getting the oxygen tubing repositioned and pillows supporting him, he seemed to settle down. I am going to sleep until 4 a.m. when Jonathan will wake me and get some sleep himself. Hopefully on Friday the nurse will have us 'trained' a little better, and have any necessary meds on hand that we will get through the weekend without too much trauma. I am a little exhausted and so thankful Jonathan is here. He is very level headed and a systematic thinker. It is good to have him run interference with the medical/hospice workers. He gets all the facts straight. And hopefully we will have a quiet, peaceful weekend.