Home Again

Bill came home on Wednesday and did not put up a fight about the hospital bed, which we had been nervous about. The hospice nurses and social workers have been great so far. Bill has gotten noticeably weaker since he has been at home. He can't get out of bed on his own and needs two people to assist him if he stands up; the walker isn't cutting it. He continues to be restless, but he is sleeping a little sounder when he's out. It is an ordeal keeping all of his medications straight since they have different administration times. However, they did give him a fentanyl patch that lasts three days as part of his pain management.

Carol will need another strong adult at the house with her from here on out. Rich's brother, Bobby, is flying in to Richmond tomorrow morning and when he flies out on Monday, Rich will be picking up his other brother, Ted, from the airport. Once Ted leaves, Rich will be spending most nights at his dad's house to make sure that Carol has the help that she needs. I know that Angela will be staying some as well during this time. It also looks like Beth will be here on Sunday. Randy and Jo are leaving tomorrow morning because they left in such a rush last week, but will be returning sometime soon.

The last week seems like it has flown by because of all of the trips to and from the hospital, etc. My heart goes out to Carol, Rich, and Angela because they have spent the most time with Bill during the last 13 years since he and Rich moved to Virginia. I have plenty more to say, but I don't think I'm ready yet. I pray that Bill's family all make it here in time to see him, that Bill can let go peacefully, and that Carol can find some peace in this process.

Update on Mimi: She had her last radiation treatment on Wednesday. The doctor said the tumor that is squeezing her esophagus is the size of a peach, much larger than what I was expecting to hear. The follow-up CT is scheduled for the end of August because the radiation needs time to work. However, the doctor also said that Mimi will be feeling much worse over the coming weeks due to the radiation. Apparently, it does not cause as much discomfort during the procedure as afterward when you are nauseous and fatigued. When I visited Mimi last weekend she looked pretty rough and complained of the soreness from the radiation burning her throat. She is still on an only liquid diet, which is awful and even scarier if she starts vomiting from the radiation. Please keep her in your prayers as well as Bill.