He had an awful night last night. He slept from 10-12, and maybe one more hour between midnight and 7 AM. He wanted to sit up and would not go back to sleep. We're finding out this restlessness and agitation is typical of terminally ill patients. Who knew?
He was having a lot of chest pain this morning, so after calling Hospice, we gave him a small dose of liquid morphine. Beth the visiting nurse came and we decided it was time to give Dad a catheter. He was not happy, but when all was said and done, he slept for several hours. It was a big relief for all of us. He still can forget he has it, and want to get up, but we've been able to talk him into staying in bed, so far.
Charisse came after Beth left, and as a result Dad is clean, shaved and has clean linens. He told both Charisse and Beth he appreciates their gentle manner.
Dad often has trouble finishing his sentences, as he can't come up with what he wants to say. Then he'll say, "You'll have to forgive me for being so slow, I can't think or speak coherently." All in one breath! Mostly though, he struggles, and often looks like he falls asleep, when actually he is thinking of what to say next, or what word he wants.
He has been feverish today, though seems better this evening. His face and eyelids are swollen.
I tuned in NPR on his bedside radio this evening. He wants to hear how the rescue of the miners is going.
We got out of the house in shifts today. Uncle Jack and I went for a nice walk, Jon was able to have lunch with his client and friend Anna, Dave and Geoff went to the store and ordered new tires for Dave's car, then later helped Molly put up a curtain rod in Cole's bedroom. The one thing we didn't accomplish was to let Jon have a nap!
Even though Dad couldn't join us, Dave and I had a very pleasant dinner with Jack, Geoff and Jon. It's very rare occasions we all get together. Jack and Jon leave tomorrow, Mom is coming down for the day, and Steve and Libbie arrive Thursday. I hope Dad stays at least alert as he is now, though admittedly that is not very alert.
He was having a lot of chest pain this morning, so after calling Hospice, we gave him a small dose of liquid morphine. Beth the visiting nurse came and we decided it was time to give Dad a catheter. He was not happy, but when all was said and done, he slept for several hours. It was a big relief for all of us. He still can forget he has it, and want to get up, but we've been able to talk him into staying in bed, so far.
Charisse came after Beth left, and as a result Dad is clean, shaved and has clean linens. He told both Charisse and Beth he appreciates their gentle manner.
Dad often has trouble finishing his sentences, as he can't come up with what he wants to say. Then he'll say, "You'll have to forgive me for being so slow, I can't think or speak coherently." All in one breath! Mostly though, he struggles, and often looks like he falls asleep, when actually he is thinking of what to say next, or what word he wants.
He has been feverish today, though seems better this evening. His face and eyelids are swollen.
I tuned in NPR on his bedside radio this evening. He wants to hear how the rescue of the miners is going.
We got out of the house in shifts today. Uncle Jack and I went for a nice walk, Jon was able to have lunch with his client and friend Anna, Dave and Geoff went to the store and ordered new tires for Dave's car, then later helped Molly put up a curtain rod in Cole's bedroom. The one thing we didn't accomplish was to let Jon have a nap!
Even though Dad couldn't join us, Dave and I had a very pleasant dinner with Jack, Geoff and Jon. It's very rare occasions we all get together. Jack and Jon leave tomorrow, Mom is coming down for the day, and Steve and Libbie arrive Thursday. I hope Dad stays at least alert as he is now, though admittedly that is not very alert.
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