Wednesday night we watched a DVD of Aaron and Sam's basketball games. Beth was happy to finally reconcile our bank statements with Quicken then too.
I was able to play tennis yesterday morning. When I came home, I was concerned when I saw Linda's car in the driveway. She had just brought Curt a couple birthday balloons! Beth showed me some things on Quicken. Curt appreciated phone calls and cards from brothers, grandkids and friends (including Meryl Simpson from England) that he received for his birthday. Reistads brought over some stroganoff, salad and rolls for supper (and a beautiful hanging plant for Curt). Curt did not want to try to eat anything (like ice cream) because of the pain in his mouth. We listened to some of the OSU-WSU basketball game (we won), opened a few presents, and visited. We reminisced about the 40 years we have spent holidays, camped together, etc. Their 2 boys are about the same ages as our 2 girls.
This morning our minister, Jim Fellers, came by to visit and talk a little about a memorial service. Our associate minister, Courtney, is coming on Monday morning to talk more about this. Curt would also like to involve Steve Sprecher. We received the forms from our Long Term Care Insurance via Fed Ex today, and I filled them out and gave them to Linda to take back to Hospice. They need to fill out information too. Our cleaning lady brought a helper today. Beth just ran to the store. Curt threw up his usual one or two times early this morning, but threw up what looked like his food right before I was going to give him his second feeding. Linda arrived shortly after and said to wait 4 hours before feeding him again. I also rubbed on some more anti-nausea medicine. His left eye is getting more "matter" in it. Linda said she noticed some swelling on that side of his face (same side as the tumor). We both noticed some slight deterioration (sleeping more, etc.). They are still not sure if it will be a continual decline, or something sudden could happen. I contacted the man about the rental house in Seaside during Spring Break. He is going to advertise it again, but check with us before actually renting it if he gets an offer. Linda brought a foam wedge for Curt to use in bed. Maybe it will help to hold things down. She also brought a chair for the shower. Mary Beth (the Hospice bathing aid) called and said she could help Curt with his shower this evening, rather than this afternoon. Curt said he would like that. The Jones are bringing some Bento food to Beth and I for supper tonight.
Angie's family is coming tomorrow afternoon. Beth will return to Portland with them Sunday evening and fly back to Chicago on Monday. My brother and his wife will arrive on Wednesday. The Huffords are going to bring them here. Angie, Maddie and Vega will be here for a long weekend the next week too (the girls do not have school on Thursday and Friday). I would like to play tennis at 9:30 on Tuesday morning and go walking on Wednesday morning between 9 and 9:30. Is there anyone who would like to sit with Curt during those times? He will probably be sleeping.
Thanks again for all your support (we can't say it enough).
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
A Quiet House
Denny and Sandy left at 6:30 this morning for the Portland airport. It is Curt, Beth and me now. I am still not getting much done. There were several calls with Benton Hospice and our long term care insurer (Genworth), etc. Hospice does not do over night care, and some other support. Yesterday, the social worker from Hospice came and met with Beth, Angie and me. She wanted to let the girls know they are available to help them and their families too. She took our Genworth policy and contacted them. We have started the process for this care, but don't really need it right now. However, it looks like Genworth might even cover my house cleaner!
Jef's parents did visit late Sunday afternoon. Jason mowed our grass. Jef, Maddie and Vega returned to Lake Oswego after supper Sunday. Curt played Farkle (dice game) with all of us for awhile. He had a frank and emotional talk with Aaron and Sam before they went to bed that night.
Gordon Reistad took Jason, Aaron and Sam to the Portland Airport Monday morning. Denny and Sandy moved into our house then for Monday and Tuesday night. Nurse Linda came at noon to check on Curt. Monday afternoon Beth and I went to the bank and did a little shopping. Gary worked a little more on the driveway/paver stains. He and Curt walked a little outside, and Gary walked further later. Gary left for the Portland Airport about 5 PM. The rest of us ate leftovers for supper. We played a little "team" Trivial Pursuit.
Tuesday (yesterday) morning Denny and Sandy went to our Clinic for a "coumadin (sp.)" blood check for Denny. Angie did some sewing repair projects for me, and Beth keeps working on our Quicken. A Hospice aid helped Curt with a shower late in the afternoon. Denny and Sandy got our supper at McGraths.
Linda came at 2 today and commented how quiet it was. She sat down to visit awhile. She thought Curt looked good and his "vitals" were good. She said her schedule would be Monday, Wednesday and Fridays for now. Beth is out running errands.
Reistads are bringing dinner tomorrow night to celebrate Curt's birthday. I plan on playing tennis at 9:30 tomorrow morning. I think Angie, Maddie and Vega (I don't know about Jef) are coming back Saturday afternoon for the weekend. Beth will leave the first part of next week. Her family will be returning on March 20 for Spring Break. My brother, Tom, and his wife, Sharon, are making plans to fly here from Kansas from March 10-16.
So things have settled into more of a "routine" and Curt seems to be stabilized for now
Jef's parents did visit late Sunday afternoon. Jason mowed our grass. Jef, Maddie and Vega returned to Lake Oswego after supper Sunday. Curt played Farkle (dice game) with all of us for awhile. He had a frank and emotional talk with Aaron and Sam before they went to bed that night.
Gordon Reistad took Jason, Aaron and Sam to the Portland Airport Monday morning. Denny and Sandy moved into our house then for Monday and Tuesday night. Nurse Linda came at noon to check on Curt. Monday afternoon Beth and I went to the bank and did a little shopping. Gary worked a little more on the driveway/paver stains. He and Curt walked a little outside, and Gary walked further later. Gary left for the Portland Airport about 5 PM. The rest of us ate leftovers for supper. We played a little "team" Trivial Pursuit.
Tuesday (yesterday) morning Denny and Sandy went to our Clinic for a "coumadin (sp.)" blood check for Denny. Angie did some sewing repair projects for me, and Beth keeps working on our Quicken. A Hospice aid helped Curt with a shower late in the afternoon. Denny and Sandy got our supper at McGraths.
Linda came at 2 today and commented how quiet it was. She sat down to visit awhile. She thought Curt looked good and his "vitals" were good. She said her schedule would be Monday, Wednesday and Fridays for now. Beth is out running errands.
Reistads are bringing dinner tomorrow night to celebrate Curt's birthday. I plan on playing tennis at 9:30 tomorrow morning. I think Angie, Maddie and Vega (I don't know about Jef) are coming back Saturday afternoon for the weekend. Beth will leave the first part of next week. Her family will be returning on March 20 for Spring Break. My brother, Tom, and his wife, Sharon, are making plans to fly here from Kansas from March 10-16.
So things have settled into more of a "routine" and Curt seems to be stabilized for now
Sunday, February 28, 2010
More Family
I usually keep a diary for myself but haven't had time lately. I hope I can remember what has happened.
Curt actually took a shower late on Friday afternoon with the help of a Hospice person. Right after that, our supper arrived with some friends.
The past 2 mornings Curt has thrown up a little the first thing. I think he has swallowed stuff coming out of the holes in his mouth during the night (he actually swallows this all the time). I rub in a couple nausea creams and then feed him later. He ate 4 times yesterday (half portions), and so far twice today (it is after 2 PM now). Right now everyone (except Curt's older brother (Denny) and wife (Sandy)) went to the sheep barns to see the baby lambs and then are going to stop at a used book sale for our library. Curt's younger brother, Gary, arrived at our house yesterday morning about 8:30 (he flew in the night before). At noon everyone (except Gary, Curt and I) went to our friends, the Reistads, for lunch. Their older son and his family came down from Seattle to see Curt. They visited Curt in the morning. It was a beautiful day - sunny and around 60 degrees. Curt sat on the porch to watch the kids play and actually walked around our street in the afternoon. He then watched Gary, Jef and Jason try to clean off some iron stains on our driveway (they had gone to a hardward store to get a something for it). Angie and Beth took the kids to a nearby playground for a little while too. We had Woodstocks pizza for supper.
Denny and Sandy arrived in Portland around 2 o'clock on Saturday. It took them a long time to get their rental car. They were going to stop at a Walgreens in Albany (we don't have one in Corvallis) to get some medicine for Denny, but they didn't have it, so they had to drive back to Salem to get it. They finally got to our house about 7:30. They left here about 10 PM to check into their hotel. Gary is staying in Albany (the motels were busy in Corvallis) and returned this morning after 9. It was after 10 before Denny and Sandy showed up.
Curt has been sleeping alot today. Jef said his parents might come for a visit from Salem later this afternoon. I think Jef, Maddie and Vega might return to Lake Oswego tonight. Gordon Reistad is going to take Jason, Aaron and Sam to the Portland airport tomorrow morning. Gary has a "red eye" flight back to Moline, IL, on Monday night. Denny and Sandy will leave early Wednesday morning for the airport. Curt will turn 67 years old on Thursday, March 4. Angie is staying part of the week. Beth will leave at the end of the week. We have all been enjoying all the goodies that have been brought. We will all have to go on a diet soon! Thank you so much for everything!
Curt actually took a shower late on Friday afternoon with the help of a Hospice person. Right after that, our supper arrived with some friends.
The past 2 mornings Curt has thrown up a little the first thing. I think he has swallowed stuff coming out of the holes in his mouth during the night (he actually swallows this all the time). I rub in a couple nausea creams and then feed him later. He ate 4 times yesterday (half portions), and so far twice today (it is after 2 PM now). Right now everyone (except Curt's older brother (Denny) and wife (Sandy)) went to the sheep barns to see the baby lambs and then are going to stop at a used book sale for our library. Curt's younger brother, Gary, arrived at our house yesterday morning about 8:30 (he flew in the night before). At noon everyone (except Gary, Curt and I) went to our friends, the Reistads, for lunch. Their older son and his family came down from Seattle to see Curt. They visited Curt in the morning. It was a beautiful day - sunny and around 60 degrees. Curt sat on the porch to watch the kids play and actually walked around our street in the afternoon. He then watched Gary, Jef and Jason try to clean off some iron stains on our driveway (they had gone to a hardward store to get a something for it). Angie and Beth took the kids to a nearby playground for a little while too. We had Woodstocks pizza for supper.
Denny and Sandy arrived in Portland around 2 o'clock on Saturday. It took them a long time to get their rental car. They were going to stop at a Walgreens in Albany (we don't have one in Corvallis) to get some medicine for Denny, but they didn't have it, so they had to drive back to Salem to get it. They finally got to our house about 7:30. They left here about 10 PM to check into their hotel. Gary is staying in Albany (the motels were busy in Corvallis) and returned this morning after 9. It was after 10 before Denny and Sandy showed up.
Curt has been sleeping alot today. Jef said his parents might come for a visit from Salem later this afternoon. I think Jef, Maddie and Vega might return to Lake Oswego tonight. Gordon Reistad is going to take Jason, Aaron and Sam to the Portland airport tomorrow morning. Gary has a "red eye" flight back to Moline, IL, on Monday night. Denny and Sandy will leave early Wednesday morning for the airport. Curt will turn 67 years old on Thursday, March 4. Angie is staying part of the week. Beth will leave at the end of the week. We have all been enjoying all the goodies that have been brought. We will all have to go on a diet soon! Thank you so much for everything!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Family Time
Angie, Maddie and Vega arrived after 6:30 last night. Jef brought Jason, Aaron and Sam after 10. Curt stayed up until they arrived.
Today has been a good day. Curt has not thrown up since yesterday morning. He has eaten twice (still with smaller portions). With all the accountants in the house (Jef, Jason and Beth), they have been working on our taxes all day. Curt answered questions, etc., in the morning. Linda came at noon and thought things were going well. She thinks they have found the right balance for nausea, etc. She brought some stronger pain patches, which are changed every 3 days. She will return on Monday, but there are nurses on call all weekend (and every night). Curt has been sleeping all afternoon and we are now waiting for the Hospice lady to come give him another "bath" right.
While most of us were working on taxes, Angie played games, etc., with the kids. They set up our ping pong table in the garage. There has been some rain on and off most of the day. The boys played a little basketball outside, and now everyone except Curt and me and Jef (who just returned from the grocery store) went for a walk. Three more people stopped by with food. We are fixing a ham tonight and some other friends are bringing side dishes.
We are looking forward to seeing Curt's brothers tomorrow.
Today has been a good day. Curt has not thrown up since yesterday morning. He has eaten twice (still with smaller portions). With all the accountants in the house (Jef, Jason and Beth), they have been working on our taxes all day. Curt answered questions, etc., in the morning. Linda came at noon and thought things were going well. She thinks they have found the right balance for nausea, etc. She brought some stronger pain patches, which are changed every 3 days. She will return on Monday, but there are nurses on call all weekend (and every night). Curt has been sleeping all afternoon and we are now waiting for the Hospice lady to come give him another "bath" right.
While most of us were working on taxes, Angie played games, etc., with the kids. They set up our ping pong table in the garage. There has been some rain on and off most of the day. The boys played a little basketball outside, and now everyone except Curt and me and Jef (who just returned from the grocery store) went for a walk. Three more people stopped by with food. We are fixing a ham tonight and some other friends are bringing side dishes.
We are looking forward to seeing Curt's brothers tomorrow.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday
Curt just had one spit up (white blob) during the night. This morning he threw up 2 or 3 times. "Nurse Linda" came at noon with more medicine for nausea and instructions. We also had some medicine delivered by Fed Ex. Curt went back to bed after all his morning visitors, but got up in the early afternoon. After more nausea medicine he finally had his first feeding today at 4:30 (half his former serving). Curt had a good "sponge bath" yesterday afternoon. I also forgot to mention that Dr. Foley had talked to Dr. Chui about Curt.
My family thinks I go into too much detail, and I am afraid I will forget someone, so I will try to generalize about visitors and gifts. Three people visited this morning and 4 this afternoon, plus the Hospice Chaplain. Some other people brought food (We got some more brownies and also got a good looking coffee cake and cinnamon rolls), flowers, e-mails and cards. Someone left some goodies on our porch too. THANK YOU for all your help and support!
We are looking forward to the arrival of our grandchildren (and their parents) tonight. We just found out that Curt's younger brother (Gary) is coming from Saturday to Monday too.
My family thinks I go into too much detail, and I am afraid I will forget someone, so I will try to generalize about visitors and gifts. Three people visited this morning and 4 this afternoon, plus the Hospice Chaplain. Some other people brought food (We got some more brownies and also got a good looking coffee cake and cinnamon rolls), flowers, e-mails and cards. Someone left some goodies on our porch too. THANK YOU for all your help and support!
We are looking forward to the arrival of our grandchildren (and their parents) tonight. We just found out that Curt's younger brother (Gary) is coming from Saturday to Monday too.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Dr. Foley
Curt has done fairly well until about 5 AM this morning when he threw up. It wasn't much and was a clear fluid with a few blobs (looked like mucus). I gave him one of his medicines a couple hours later when we got up. About half hour later I started his first feeding. About half way through he spit all that up. I stopped the feeding and called Hospice. A little later "Nurse Linda" brought some nausea cream that you rub into his lower, inside arm near his wrist. You use this every 4 hours as needed. She also doubled his pain patch. She didn't stay long and is returning tomorrow. While she was here, he threw up again. The Hospice Doctor, Dr. Foley, came about 1. He talked to us and took a look at Curt. Curt also threw up when he was here. He said the tumor is probably the cause, for one reason or another. It could travel to other parts of the body or be growing into "bad" areas around his mouth or just not making him feel well. Dr. Foley also thought the substitute medicine they were using (the one we got at Rice's) was not strong enough, so he is going to change medicines. If Curt doesn't throw up for 4 hours and feels okay, I can give him another feeding of half the amount he was getting. We should continue with half these feedings as long as Curt can tolerate it. It could also be he wasn't tolerating as much as they were giving him. Dr. Foley made the comment that feeding Curt was feeding the tumor too. Sometimes your body tells you stop feeding this tumor. We will see how things progress.
One of our ministers (Courtney) came while Dr. Foley was here. If Curt is feeling okay, I might go to coffee with her in the morning. This morning Sue Creighton brought some brownies and cookies. Our neighbors, the Swansons (plus their daughter's family), came over to say goodbye before heading to Arizona for a month. Lloyd put something else on our yard for moss again today. We will miss them. A person from Hospice is coming soon to shave Curt, wash his hair, etc. I'm not sure he can have a shower yet with feeding tube.
Beth finally got out to get some groceries today. She is working on that "helping" website, and we will post it in this blog when and if it is up and running. It can be used to coordinate meals and other offers of assitance as well as anything that we might need help with. With our family in town through next Wednesday there should be lots of helpers around so we may not have any specific requests right now. Our Congregational Care group at church is providing some food for our family. Angie has been doing some work on her laptop and tried to have a conference meeting on the phone. Dr. Foley came early and interrupted that. Angie is returning to Portland tonight.
One of our ministers (Courtney) came while Dr. Foley was here. If Curt is feeling okay, I might go to coffee with her in the morning. This morning Sue Creighton brought some brownies and cookies. Our neighbors, the Swansons (plus their daughter's family), came over to say goodbye before heading to Arizona for a month. Lloyd put something else on our yard for moss again today. We will miss them. A person from Hospice is coming soon to shave Curt, wash his hair, etc. I'm not sure he can have a shower yet with feeding tube.
Beth finally got out to get some groceries today. She is working on that "helping" website, and we will post it in this blog when and if it is up and running. It can be used to coordinate meals and other offers of assitance as well as anything that we might need help with. With our family in town through next Wednesday there should be lots of helpers around so we may not have any specific requests right now. Our Congregational Care group at church is providing some food for our family. Angie has been doing some work on her laptop and tried to have a conference meeting on the phone. Dr. Foley came early and interrupted that. Angie is returning to Portland tonight.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Home At Last
What a whirlwind of activity the past 2 days. Yesterday they were a little concerned about some diarhea and took a sample to check. It could be from the tube feedings, the antibiotic, an infection, or bacteria. There was the usual parade of people in his room. I was glad Angie was there to go to the OHSU pharmacy and get his liquid medicine. Hospice wanted him to have a 30 day supply. We have had a little trouble with a couple of the medicines and got some "holdovers" in Corvallis. Right now I think we are covered. Curt and I were finally able to leave about 1. The OHSU Case Worker made an appointment with Hospice at 2:15 here. We asked the Reistads to be there about then and let them in (through our garage). I made good time and was home about 2:20 or 2:25. The Hospice lady with the paper work was here along with Curt's assigned personal nurse (Linda Smith). The "head" nurse came a little later and set up everything. She made a chart of the feedings (5 a day) and medicines (several at different times). I am finding it useful. It seems like you finish one feeding (it takes about 35 or 40 minutes for the food drip into his tube) and it isn't long before the next one. There have been a lot of phone calls, e-mails, and visits from friends. Gordon Reistad picked up a single dose of one of the medicines late yesterday afternoon. Then he and Kathleen returned with supper for them and me. I will have leftovers for the girls and me tonight. My neighbor (Grace Swanson) had gotten a few groceries for me. Her husband put moss killer on our yard and was going to mow it. They will be leaving for Arizona this Thursday. I had a little trouble with one of the medicines last night and called OHSU. From now on I will call one of the Hospice nurses.
Curt only got up a couple times last night. They want me to get up with him, so I take care of my business then too. We both slept pretty well. Susan Creighton picked up some more medicine for Curt this morning. Hospice pays for all the medicine, food and supplies so I don't have to worry about any of that from now on. Curt has a low dose pain patch on, but still gets some pain, so I give him some liquid oxycodone a few times a day. He keeps his eyes closed most of the time. I had a few calls from Hospice this morning. They will arrange for respite care so I can play tennis or walk or whatever. They also told us about a website called http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/. Maybe Beth or Angie or I will have time to set that up soon. We have been getting lots of kind messages of support and offers for help. Kathleen Reistad has arranged for some food through our Congregational Care at church while we have all this company. Someone from my bridge group (Irene) just brought a frozen lasagne. The "Ladies in the Basement" (via Farl Tubb) at our church brought a beautiful lap quilt today. The Hospice Nurse (Linda) came at noon to answer questions and monitor Curt. She will return tomorrow so she can talk to Angie and Beth too. Beth arrived late this morning from Chicago and Angie brought her here about 1:30 (I think). They have done a couple loads of wash, rearranged some things, etc. I still need to figure out where to put all the supplies, etc. Angie is going to return to Lake Oswego tomorrow evening (Wednesday) and then return with Maddie and Vega on Thursday evening after their swimming lessons. Maddie and Vega do not have school on Friday. Jason, Aaron and Sam arrive about 8:15 PM on Thursday and Jef will drive them here. Curt's brother and wife (Denny and Sandy) will arrive from Atlanta on Saturday afternoon and stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Corvallis on Saturday and Sunday nights. Jason and the boys leave Portland about 1:40 on Monday. We're not sure yet how they will get up there yet. Denny and Sandy leave Portland on Wednesday morning. They are renting a car.
Its time to flush Curt's last feeding now. I hesitate to put names in the blog, because I might forget someone. We just want to let everyone know how much we appreciate you.
Curt only got up a couple times last night. They want me to get up with him, so I take care of my business then too. We both slept pretty well. Susan Creighton picked up some more medicine for Curt this morning. Hospice pays for all the medicine, food and supplies so I don't have to worry about any of that from now on. Curt has a low dose pain patch on, but still gets some pain, so I give him some liquid oxycodone a few times a day. He keeps his eyes closed most of the time. I had a few calls from Hospice this morning. They will arrange for respite care so I can play tennis or walk or whatever. They also told us about a website called http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/. Maybe Beth or Angie or I will have time to set that up soon. We have been getting lots of kind messages of support and offers for help. Kathleen Reistad has arranged for some food through our Congregational Care at church while we have all this company. Someone from my bridge group (Irene) just brought a frozen lasagne. The "Ladies in the Basement" (via Farl Tubb) at our church brought a beautiful lap quilt today. The Hospice Nurse (Linda) came at noon to answer questions and monitor Curt. She will return tomorrow so she can talk to Angie and Beth too. Beth arrived late this morning from Chicago and Angie brought her here about 1:30 (I think). They have done a couple loads of wash, rearranged some things, etc. I still need to figure out where to put all the supplies, etc. Angie is going to return to Lake Oswego tomorrow evening (Wednesday) and then return with Maddie and Vega on Thursday evening after their swimming lessons. Maddie and Vega do not have school on Friday. Jason, Aaron and Sam arrive about 8:15 PM on Thursday and Jef will drive them here. Curt's brother and wife (Denny and Sandy) will arrive from Atlanta on Saturday afternoon and stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Corvallis on Saturday and Sunday nights. Jason and the boys leave Portland about 1:40 on Monday. We're not sure yet how they will get up there yet. Denny and Sandy leave Portland on Wednesday morning. They are renting a car.
Its time to flush Curt's last feeding now. I hesitate to put names in the blog, because I might forget someone. We just want to let everyone know how much we appreciate you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)