Mom is getting used to her new catheter. It isn't in the most convenient place (right at her waist line) so she is having to figure out how to wear clothes around it. Nausea continues to be a problem for Mom.
I was talking to Mom on Skype a few days ago, and Dad came on, triumphantly informing me that he has something most men do not have - the ability to have a thinner wife anytime he wants. "All I have to do is open her drain," he told me, "and I get a thinner wife." Ha ha, Dad!
That reminded me of the time about 25 years ago when Mom and Dad decided to lose weight together. Dad is usually very competitive, and since men lose weight far easier than women, after some discussion they decided that this would be a different kind of contest, where they encourage each other instead of race to the finish line. So they did the big weigh-in, and all that week, Dad was losing weight like crazy, and Mom wasn't losing much at all. She was getting pretty frustrated. Later Dad confessed that before his first weigh-in, he had drank as much water as he could, making himself much heavier. No wonder he was losing weight so fast!
With the new catheter, the ascites can be drained at home (saving Mom a trip to the hospital) and it can also be drained more frequently. That should make Mom more comfortable. The fluid weighs a little over 2 pounds per liter, so I think Mom could beat Dad in a weight-loss contest now. :)
You can pray that the incision site heals up ok, that Mom gets used to the mechanics of the catheter, and that Mom's nausea goes away. She also feels quite weak. As always, thank you for your prayers!
Below is a video of one of Mom's favourite worship songs, and some photos.
Mom had a drain put into her abdomen this morning. It was not a pleasant procedure but it went well. Mom is in recovery right now and is booked to stay overnight. Pray that Mom recovers ok from this and has a good night.
Thanks, Jeanette
Dad goes to have his wisdom tooth pulled tomorrow, so don't ask him any deep questions after that.
Mom had another paracentesis (draining of fluid) today in Exeter Hospital. They removed three liters of fluid. They were hesitant to remove more because Mom is scheduled to have a permanent drain put in on Monday morning. We aren't sure if this is the best option, so we covet your prayers in this decision making process. Mom is very tired and is not feeling well. Thank you for your prayers.
She asked me to put one of her favourite psalms on here to share with you. Lord, be close to Mom and to each one of us.
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Today I went to Mom's house to even out the caregiver to patient ratio. Aunt Wilma says we are only allowed one patient per house, and Dad has been battling more tooth problems. He was actually ok today (cutting the lawn when I got there) but spent Saturday in bed. He has an infection in his mouth that needs to be cleared up by Friday, when he will have a wisdom tooth removed. Dad says if he continues losing teeth at this rate, he will be out of teeth by his birthday. He's had four out already and three cavities filled, and complications several times. So pray that he will soon feel better.
Mom hasn't been well this week. She is very tired and lacking energy. Her stomach is uncomfortably full again. She is going to try to wait for Thursday for another paracentesis (draining of fluid) but is prepared to go to London if she needs it earlier. These aren't easy days for Mom. She feels nauseous a lot and it is a struggle to keep her gut working. Pray for strength and encouragement for Mom.
Mom wishes she could write something, but wants to say, "Thank you" to everyone for all their prayers and support. It means so much. Today we opened an exciting package in the mail - the photo book we made. In it we put photos from Mom's birthday parties and the blessings we've had over the last several months. It is amazing to look back and see the many answers to prayer - a great birthday, being together with ALL our family, family photos, and much time together. We are very grateful.
It is a great thing to remember and know what God has done for us. But looking ahead to the future isn't as easy. It's hard to imagine what will happen in the days to come, or how we will get through it. Mom can so quickly feel much worse, as the bowel obstruction acts up. I struggle to tame my anxiety at times. But our God who has been with us in the past will also be with us in the days to come. Thank you for your prayers.
Mom wasn't well overnight. She was very uncomfortable, with a lot of pain and this morning she started vomiting. Typical symptoms for a bowel obstruction. So the nurse came this morning and checked Mom over. She recommended Mom go into Exeter hospital. I happened to be coming here this morning, so I went with Mom, along with Aunt Wilma and Dad (yes, Mom has an entourage).
The staff at the hospital took very good care of Mom. They right away got a bed for Mom. She had an xray, which showed a partial bowel obstruction. Mom's stomach was very distended, and we felt she needed another draining of the fluid (paracentesis). Thankfully, an oncologist from London was on call at the hospital, and he was able to do this right away, without a long bumpy trip to London. With a minimum of discomfort, he took 4.3 liters of fluid out of her abdomen. Mom is feeling a lot better now. We also found out that this doctor is in every Thursday, so that gives Mom some security to know she can see this doctor locally, without always going to London.
At first we thought Mom would have to stay overnight in the hospital, but the doctor said Mom was fine to go home. He adjusted some of Mom's meds, but let her come home this afternoon. Mom has a hospital bed at home now to keep her comfortable at night. When her tummy is full of fluid, it is a little harder to breathe, so the hospital bed elevates her head and helps her sleep better.
So we're thankful for great care at the hospital. Mom is tired now but we are hoping she will have a better night tonight. Thanks for your ongoing prayers.
Below are some pictures of Mom's sisters canning beans last week. I had called that day to say hi but it was too noisy to actually talk to Mom. Those sisters of hers are noisy with their giggling and cackling. :) I do have great aunts. They canned lots of beans that day, which Mom can eat.
