Hi all - it's unlikely I'll be here scrapping much this month and I gave myself a moratorium on purchases so that if I am ever to get my old goodies organized it may be this month also. Dick has been in the hospital since May 26 with dehydration, 3 infections, pneumonia and just plain exhaustion as the result of his 5 weeks of chemo and radiation for the esophageal cancer. One infections was in the bladder and one was in the lungs from coughing up so much mucus that it got into his lungs (aspiration). The 3rd bacterial infection in the blood has never been found in a specific spot and they hesitate to any invasive process to determine if it's as far as his stomach. All that said, he is getting great care from the oncology team on the cancer floor. Because he has been active in 12 step recovery for 48 years, he has many many visitors which is wonderful. The downside is that they have tended to text me...How is Dick doing? and I can't keep up with those answers and have had to resort to telling them to call the Hospital desk for patient info. Only I and our six children have the code to get directly to the duty nurse of the day. I've learned bit by bit how our local hospital hierarchy is with Hospitalists (doctors) who manage the patients and all other doctors are just consultants to him/her. It seems to work but the Hospitalists rotate every 6 days. I really like our current doctor who is from Ethiopia and we bonded ...naturally ...over my love of Ethiopian food! Hopefully the next Hospitalist will be as approachable. re a prognosis... as all chemo and radiation was stopped on May 26...it's unknown. Naturally many specialists say, as doctors are prone to say...When he's well enough to go home...and quite frankly I don't see that happening but you never know. Dick is 80 years old and at least now he has 3 heavy drugs that keep him pain free but is still half way able to talk in a whisper and think, albeit very very slowly. We both agreed that we have chemo brain or are both losing our marbles very quickly. One night I left the back door unlocked, the next I left the keys in the front door, and twice I've lost my car in the main parking garage. Many of my friends are feeding me and while it seemed pushy, that's what I said when they asked the inevitable...What can I do. That's it from me for now. I miss being here but my life is consumed in other ways now. I do try to post on Insta and share that daily on FB. I'm...cookingmylife ...on Insta and MaureenReynolds on FB
I'm so sorry it's come to this so quickly Maureen (although it probably feels like dealing with this has been going on a long time, the way minutes can take hours or feel like days especially when receiving treatment or waiting for answers) but glad he's getting care & where he needs to be, that you have figured out the system & have good relationship with the Hospitalists; & that you have pushy people close by making sure you don't forget to eat and all which is still important. We'll be here when you get back so don't worry but thanks for the update.
I'm so sorry, Maureen. I'm following you as often as possible on Instagram. Sending cyber hugs and lots of love to you.
So sorry for all you, and he, are dealing with. I'm sending lots of love and hugs, thoughts and prayers for you both.
Prayers for you, Maureen and for Dick. You may already take it, but Vitamin B6 helps with cognitive issues.
I'm sorry Maureen! I'm so glad that your friends are feeding you. Tell the next ones to clean your house And feel free to come by when you need a listening ear. We are here for you. I'll add you to my prayers.
Thinking of you a lot Maureen and sending you love from NZ. Good on you for asking for what you need, people will be so glad to help and happy that you are being fed xx
Maureen, big hugs and I am glad that when some one (or more than one) asked what they could do to help you told them. I am sending prayers for Dick. I know the toll this is taking on you physically and most of all emotionally. I am glad they are keeping Dick comfortable and getting his infections under control. I know he is exhausted as you are. Hang in there and you are having these little issues of leaving doors unlocked and keys in the door as you have too much going on ... perhaps write a check list for your self on the automatic things you need to do so you don't have to think of those things, and either before you leave for the hospital and upon return home for the night you can go through the small list so you will have peace of mind in the smaller things. You need to take care of you in order for you to be there for Dick, so please make sure you are getting as much rest as you can too. Big hugs and prayers. Thinking of you.
Maureen, I am so sorry. This must be beyond stressful. I wish I lived closer so Ryan could make you a meal and I could swing by to drop it off (or wash the dishes from the other meals people have given you) or I could do anything else that would help you. For now I will say a prayer for Dick and for you, as well as for his medical team.
Maureen, thankyou so much for taking the time to visit us here and let us know what is happening. I do hope that things will improve for you both.
Oh goodness Maureen. My heart goes out to you. I'm so glad that you told people one small thing they could do to help you. I know when I've had friends in situations like this, I want to help in any way possible and I want to be told something I can do. I will continue to keep you and Dick in my prayers.
Maureen, I am so sorry. I guess you hear that a lot. I just wanted to say to let your friends be pushy and fee you. You need sustenance and even if it's foggy at times and you don't want to please do eat something sweetie. LOVE YA! and miss ya!
Sending hugs and more hugs, Maureen! You both are strong, and I'm so glad that you have the support, good medical care, and great friends! Wishing things to go smoothly, easy recovery, lots of rest! I agree with Courtney, get the next batch of friends to clean! If you do need anything, please reach out! I'm following along between the posts I see on FB and insta.