Monday, September 7, 2015

update

the tibetan healer didn't have anything to offer for the cancer, but based on his exam, provided some herb mixes for general body heath and a two page do/don'ts for food.  nearly all of which we are already doing/don'ting.  hopefully the herbs will help.

i'm ordering some cannabis  tincture which michael thinks might help with appetite.

main issue now is that she continues to be weak, but a little stronger each day, i think/hope. is able to stand and walk [with walker] oneway [ride on walker going back] to bathroom and use toilet, which she prefers over the bedside commode. wants to sleeps most of the time [not good].  not interested in tv or reading. stayed awake/alert for a short skype session with brooke/kids this morning.  appetite is way down, so finding something that she'll eat is a challenge.   fruit juices seems to work today, toast/jelly . we're hoping all this may be radiation related [she's two weeks down stream from the last spinal treatment]. she's alert when awake and aware that she's been asleep to much, but is powerless to overcome just now.

michael and jill are here through tomorrow.  dave and maureen have taken over the cassita and are on call nights if needed [not yet so far].

we canceled the 5 day simonton workshop trip, which was to start this evening in santa barbara. d verbalized she knew it would be pointless because she's so tired and would not be able to focus, and being away from the care infrastructure we have here would be hard. i'll be looking for some similar workshops [meditation, imaging, mind body link] or instructors locally.

hospice has been good at providing equipment needs.  haven't needed people support yet.  should meet with more of the team next week.

dave and maureen took down our king bed and d and i now sleep side by side, she on her adjustable bed, me on a single.  her bed can be lowered and raised to make getting out/in easier and her head elevated w/o struggling with pillows.  she can adjust it herself. she can see the birds as before.  all good.



xoxo tom

2 comments:

  1. Thank you, Tom, for the grace and compassion you are showing to all of us as we all begin to circle the wagon (or the hospital bed) during this time. See you tomorrow, give Diane a hug from me today. love you all, j.

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  2. Thank you, Tom, for the updates. You are an amazingly good man and husband. I know you have family around you, but if there's anything I can do to help you, please don't hesitate to call me. Thursdays and Fridays are my days without grandchildren childcare. Please let Diane know that the good people at my ultra liberal (not entirely sure why I need to clarify that)Pilgrim UCC church continue to pray for her and you, as they have since the original diagnosis.

    And now this, little bit of humor...Diane, my dear sister, you have been sorely missed at the last couple of sisters' gatherings, but the last one at Cindy's left me without your wisdom about man/woman relationships. You have always been my sage in such matters since the day we sat outside the 7-11 in 'Sidro. You were a teacher at Smythe and I was a lowly sub. I was going through a divorce and you put me in your car and gave me the best advice ever. No one else had been so blunt and honest with me, but you were and I haven't been the same since. Now 40+ years later I need you to slap me around a little once again. Yep, I know what you're thinking and you got it right.....my choice in men continues to be the bane of my existence. Missing your humor and downright common sense.
    Love you much, my dear friend. Diane T.

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