I know so many are waiting and wondering what is happening here…and I honestly do not have much to report. Mom is still with us. She seems to be resting comfortably, but her breathing has been more labored today.
This morning, Arleen showed up with bagels and cream cheese for us – it was a wonderful surprise! She stayed for a bit to help clean up and do whatever she could around the house – she fixed our plants, watered them, did some dishes – it was a huge help. She seemed to be in the same mode as me…I am feeling so out of control in my life that the only thing I can do to exert any control is clean and organize. I cleaned my room, I organized my mother’s room, I worked on the bathroom, and I attacked the mess in Maya’s room. I also managed to get a shower today, too. I have a long way to go before I actually have the house in order, but I feel a bit less stressed now that my environment is more organized.
As Arleen was getting ready to leave, we had a visit from the home hospice nurse. She arranged for an increased dosage of pain medication (which also helps with her breathing), and she added two additional medications for us – one to help alleviate any anxiety and relax the body (if she is aware), and one to reduce her congestion. The changes in medication seem to be helping – she has been resting comfortably once again, and her breathing has slowed again with the medication.
We had a series of calls from friends and family, and a few more visitors – our cousins Mel, Donna and Jill, Sheila and Les, and then later tonight Suzette and Joel. The hospice chaplain (Rabbi) stopped by to talk to Dad and Elliot and say a misheberach for Mom. We were supposed to have two other visitors…Suellen and Greg. Unfortunately, they detoured to the hospital. He is staying there over night, and we still have no word on what happened. We are thinking of them tonight, and hope that he is feeling much better.
We had a quiet dinner of leftovers, and Micah went to bed fairly easily. Maya, however, is being a little stinker. I nursed her, got her into her crib…and 20 minutes later she woke up crying. She is currently curled up on her Goppy’s lap watching tv and grinning from ear to ear.
I went back to move Mom again a little while ago. She groaned loudly when I shifted her to her back. She coughed a bit, and seemed quite uncomfortable. I wonder if it was just a reflex, or if she was actually feeling/hearing. I then moved her to her other side, and she seems to be more comfortable again. Today I did our Albolene and lotion routine again, and I made sure to grease up her arms and legs, too. I hope she can feel me washing her face – she always tells me that she loves when I get my hands on her.
So…quiet evening. I will update when I can, but I just wanted to let everyone know that there really isn’t anything to know. All the doctors and nurses have been telling us either hours or maybe days.