Weaker by the day

Dale has a great attitude. He is doing the best he can, smiles and is appreciative of every bit of assistance that comes our way. Humility is strong. Blood pressure is improving slightly, less laundry, and appetite better. Dale is a good man in a cancerous research project. He is taking it well. I love My Dale.

Glowing

Today was better-but that can be deceiving. Only 3 laundry loads during the night. Dale was up a lot all night, which means I was too. I went to work early, after he took his medications for the day. He was supposed to be asleep for two hours until Dave would get there. Dale got hungry--good sign. It took him a full hour to shuffle himself to the kitchen for a bowl of Rice Chex. Once Dave got there and observed Dale's behavior and report of the morning, he went back to his home and came back with a blood pressure cuff. 86 over 53. No wonder he fainted yesterday. No wonder he had no energy to move. So, I spoke with the nurse at Huntsman, which eventually got a nurse to the house to take vitals, flush the tri-fusion, drew blood and reported results to Huntsman.

The results are: no more high-blood medication, no more of one of the nausea pills, and tomorrow the nurse comes back for IV-two hour drip of saline. And, his tri-fusion lines need to be flushed out daily. The first nurse was not clear on that. Fair enough. So tonight, home care delivered equipment for the procedures. What a great service.

It all DEPENDS on how you look at it but, Dale asked for some help, so I called the pharmacy for an accurate blood pressure cuff and picked up supplies. Perhaps, less laundry.

One of the neighbors suggested getting a camera or two for security and for my peace of mind when I am not home with Dale. May need to look into that.

Last night, I did a take-care-of-Jan idea. The Celestial Cleaners were with us and as we were talking they asked if there was anything else they could do for me. I have found a need of a "girl's night out" and suggested a movie night. It was well received and we will go Friday night. Sitter already arranged for Dale while we are out. Nice. Great people around us.

Dale told me today how beautiful I have become. I know his vision must be tainted by those eyedrops, because I am exhausted. He says I glow and loves to see me interact with others. He thinks I have finally learned compassion. If that is true, perhaps the cancer thing can go away and we can go on to next adventures together.

Falling and computer woes

Dale had a medium night, but there were three laundry loads done. And we thought 6 pairs of pajamas would be sufficient for a week before weekly laundry! Dale needs 6 each day so far. He was able to eat a small bowl of cereal and seemed okay. Dave was coming over at 8:00 anyway to help determine if Dale need more sitters through the day.

I called about 10 or so to find out how he was doing. Dale's first statement to me in a raspy and sore sounding voice was: "oh, the paramedics just left, but I am okay." Were they on the list of sitters for the day?? No! Apparently, Dale fell and then passed out.

Dale is stubborn. He went downstairs to work on the computer. He decided that did not work too well so headed back up the stairs. Dave was just coming in and heard a thud and a "help!" Dale's head was on the stair landing and he was very incoherent. Dave called emergency and by the time they arrived (the station is 3 blocks east of us) Dale had showered and cleaned himself up.

My task tonight was to bring his computer upstairs and put in my office-a great room with a view of the mountains. I will miss it. Then move my laptop downstairs. I prefer laptop moving rather than desktops with wires, cords, big components (PCs have tons of stuff) whereas my MAC laptop is great! Even my desktop at work (MAC) would have been very slick to move.

Wash and Dry

I am so glad for modern conveniences like washers and dryers. Bedsheets and four pajama bottoms later, Dale is snoozing comfortably on the couch after a long day of dismissal of bowel fluids all day. Clorox is my friend. Side-affects after chemotherapy is not my friend. To be safe, neighbors sat with Dale most of the day, giving him support as needed. They will do so tomorrow also, just to make sure he is okay. Thank you Thank you. Dale's temperature has been a bit high but not in the danger zone they gave us. He hydrates pretty well, but appetite is missing as the nausea takes over. He has eaten very little today, although blood sugar is okay.

The men taking care of Dale today, also provided him with a shower chain (can't think what it is called--shower head with adjustable piping to easily move it around) shower chair, and walker for the days he needs them. This I suspect comes from experiences of care-taking and knowing what will come next. Oh my goodness. And I think I am going to be able to do it all (work, dissertation, care-taker)! I will probably just not be very good at anything.

May God bless us.

Central Line again

Another central line cleaning and dressing. Dale was told not to breath, therefore, looked away.

Central Line

Nurse care at home for the central line. Better her than me.

Red box

Home from the four day chemo a bit earlier than we thought. But that is good. Dale is very tired, has been a bit "loopy" he calls it, but okay and glad to be home. His visitors at Huntsman found he was not there and then found our home to visit here. It is tiring, but good to Dale's spirit. He needs people around him and he always feels better from the visits.

Today begins the next stage for us also: home care. His tri-fusion line or the central line needs cleaning and flushing daily. I suppose my education of nursing skills are about to begin. A nurse is coming by to instruct me and show me what to do with all the supplies delivered a couple of hours ago. I am actually glad to be an educator, instead of a nurse, but this is my sweetheart, and its supposed to be different. I will do my best.

Note the big red container that was delivered today for all the stuff I will need to use!

There are cleaning supplies for the central line, needles for cleaning it, swabs to clean, and instructions for keeping it all in place WITHOUT infections. He needs the one shot in the morning and then all the various medications to keep him going well. I am a bit anxious about leaving him home alone for extended times. I will have to see how he is in the morning and how the night goes.