Dad and I were talking on the phone when I heard Mom's voice in the background along with what sounded like some pots and pans banging together.
"What's going on, Dad?" I asked kind of laughing at all the distractions in the phone.
"Oh, Mom's just in MY kitchen fixing some sauerkraut and dumplings for dinner." He laughs when he mentioned that Mom was in his kitchen. Since Mom's cancer has taken her down for quite some time now, Dad has had to take on all the duties around the household.
"Hang on," Dad says. He hands the phone off to Mom who wheeled herself over to Dad to take the phone from him.
"Jenni," Mom says excitedly. "I'm cooking dinner and moving around all over the kitchen. I made sauerkraut, dumplings and pork for dinner tonight. Then I made macaroni and cheese with cauliflower for dinner tomorrow night. Right now, I've got a rice pudding baking in the oven." Mom sounded like a little child telling all about the carnival ride that she had just rode on. It was so good to hear her feeling so well.
She told me of how she could get her chair in the kitchen a little, then stand up either at the counter or her walker on her good leg. She was getting pots and pans out of cupboards, opening heavy drawers and just having fun being in the kitchen again.
What a wonderful blessing to see her having these great days of energy that she puts to awesome use. Dad said that she's just been buzzing around his kitchen all afternoon and having a lot of fun doing it.
Thank you, Lord, for giving my parents the strength to enjoy their time together, even through the tough times. Thank you, Lord.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
A GOOD DAY TO PRAISE GOD---FATHERS DAY 2013
Happy Fathers Day, Daddy.
I called this morning to wish Dad a much deserved Fathers Day wish. Mom answered the phone. Again, she sounded so strong and refreshed.
"Hi Mom, are you guys headed to church?" I asked.
"Yes, we're on our way to church." she says. I was so glad to hear that they have gotten back to their regular schedule and so quickly, too.
"Daddy is driving, so I'll hold up the phone to his ear," Mom said.
"Hi Dad...happy Fathers Day,"
"Happy Fathers Day," Dad says back to me in a laughing tone. It was good to hear him laugh and joke. He even sounded like he had gotten a very good nights sleep as well. His voice was strong and sharp, not slurred like I have heard in the past from lack of sleep and stress.
We spoke for a little while and I put the phone up to Rob's ear as well so that they could chat together, since Rob was also driving.
It was good to talk to both of them and know that they are both back together...home.
Truly a wonderful day to thank and praise God. Truly a wonderful and blessed Fathers Day for Dad. Thank you Lord Jesus for blessing my parents with such great strength and love. Thank you for making my Mom better and bringing her home again.
I called this morning to wish Dad a much deserved Fathers Day wish. Mom answered the phone. Again, she sounded so strong and refreshed.
"Hi Mom, are you guys headed to church?" I asked.
"Yes, we're on our way to church." she says. I was so glad to hear that they have gotten back to their regular schedule and so quickly, too.
"Daddy is driving, so I'll hold up the phone to his ear," Mom said.
"Hi Dad...happy Fathers Day,"
"Happy Fathers Day," Dad says back to me in a laughing tone. It was good to hear him laugh and joke. He even sounded like he had gotten a very good nights sleep as well. His voice was strong and sharp, not slurred like I have heard in the past from lack of sleep and stress.
We spoke for a little while and I put the phone up to Rob's ear as well so that they could chat together, since Rob was also driving.
It was good to talk to both of them and know that they are both back together...home.
Truly a wonderful day to thank and praise God. Truly a wonderful and blessed Fathers Day for Dad. Thank you Lord Jesus for blessing my parents with such great strength and love. Thank you for making my Mom better and bringing her home again.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!
The phone rings, Rob answers it and has a very nice conversation with my Mom. After a few moments, he hands me the phone.
"Jenni?" Mom says in a very strong and rested voice, "I'm home...finally!" She says.
We spoke for several minutes about her ordeal and how hospital protocol has changed so much over the years.
Back when Mom and I used to work in the hospital, cleanliness was of the utmost importance. Washing your hands constantly, making sure that when you make beds and replace pillowcases, no soiled or clean linen touches your uniforms for assurity that no germs are spread from patient to patient. We were taught to be very aware of what we do from one bed to another, or one room to another.
Mom tells me that during her 7-day stay, not once did she see a nurse or attendant wash their hands. They just used little sanitizer dispensers mounted on the walls.
Mom wasn't offered a basin of water or cloth to freshen up, nor was she offered the ability to take a shower. Her bedsheets weren't even changed once during her week long stay. How gross is that? Not to mention, how unclean is that? We exchanged our thoughts about the situation and the memories of when we used to work in that environment. So much has changed.
The most important thing is, Mom is home!!!!
Dad was making the bed and Mom said that it looked so inviting, however, laying down in bed again wasn't something that she was looking forward to at this moment. She just wanted to sit up and enjoy being home with Dad.
I told Mom on the phone that all of us were concerned about her while she was in the hospital, but that all of her daughters are very strong for her and Dad. She was so appreciative to hear that.
At the end of the phone call, Mom said, "There's no place like home." I agreed. Daddy is so glad to have her back...now he can get some sleep again.
"Jenni?" Mom says in a very strong and rested voice, "I'm home...finally!" She says.
We spoke for several minutes about her ordeal and how hospital protocol has changed so much over the years.
Back when Mom and I used to work in the hospital, cleanliness was of the utmost importance. Washing your hands constantly, making sure that when you make beds and replace pillowcases, no soiled or clean linen touches your uniforms for assurity that no germs are spread from patient to patient. We were taught to be very aware of what we do from one bed to another, or one room to another.
Mom tells me that during her 7-day stay, not once did she see a nurse or attendant wash their hands. They just used little sanitizer dispensers mounted on the walls.
Mom wasn't offered a basin of water or cloth to freshen up, nor was she offered the ability to take a shower. Her bedsheets weren't even changed once during her week long stay. How gross is that? Not to mention, how unclean is that? We exchanged our thoughts about the situation and the memories of when we used to work in that environment. So much has changed.
The most important thing is, Mom is home!!!!
Dad was making the bed and Mom said that it looked so inviting, however, laying down in bed again wasn't something that she was looking forward to at this moment. She just wanted to sit up and enjoy being home with Dad.
I told Mom on the phone that all of us were concerned about her while she was in the hospital, but that all of her daughters are very strong for her and Dad. She was so appreciative to hear that.
At the end of the phone call, Mom said, "There's no place like home." I agreed. Daddy is so glad to have her back...now he can get some sleep again.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
IT'S GOOD TO FIND HUMOR IN IT ALL
I called Dad this morning.
"Hey, Dad!" I say as usual.
"Hey Jenni!" Dad returns. "What's up?"
"Oh just called to see how things were going. Did Mom get to have her sonogram this morning?"
"Yep, she's having twins!" He laughed. "Looks like a couple of monkeys." I could hear the smile in his voice. It also sounded like he had gotten a little rest as well. His voice didn't sound slurred and tired.
"Cool," I said. "Twin monkeys!"
Dad told me that Mom was taken off of the liquid diet and put back on regular food to see how she could handle it. If she does well, then she may be able to go home.
"That's awesome, Dad. I know that the two of you have had a very stressful week. It will be good to take her home."
"Yes," he said. "But I'm concerned if she has more pain again. Not sure what to do. Hopefully they send her home with some medication if she needs it."
Just then, the lunch cart was arriving and Dad had to get off of the phone.
"I'll call you later and keep you posted as to when we find anything out from the sonogram, okay sweetie?" Dad said.
"Okay Dad....love you." Our call ended there.
"Hey, Dad!" I say as usual.
"Hey Jenni!" Dad returns. "What's up?"
"Oh just called to see how things were going. Did Mom get to have her sonogram this morning?"
"Yep, she's having twins!" He laughed. "Looks like a couple of monkeys." I could hear the smile in his voice. It also sounded like he had gotten a little rest as well. His voice didn't sound slurred and tired.
"Cool," I said. "Twin monkeys!"
Dad told me that Mom was taken off of the liquid diet and put back on regular food to see how she could handle it. If she does well, then she may be able to go home.
"That's awesome, Dad. I know that the two of you have had a very stressful week. It will be good to take her home."
"Yes," he said. "But I'm concerned if she has more pain again. Not sure what to do. Hopefully they send her home with some medication if she needs it."
Just then, the lunch cart was arriving and Dad had to get off of the phone.
"I'll call you later and keep you posted as to when we find anything out from the sonogram, okay sweetie?" Dad said.
"Okay Dad....love you." Our call ended there.
NOT GOOD....NOT GOOD....NOT GOOD
That's all Mom could say on the phone when I called to say hello.
Dad answered and he sounded exhausted. He said that Mom has been in extreme pain all day and that if I wanted to talk with her to make it quick.
Mom's voice was shaky with a little bit of a cry in her tone. She could only muster out, "Not good, not good, not good." I could tell that she was suffering greatly all day and that there was a sense of fear in her mind.
"Jenni," she said, "I had to ask for some morphine. I didn't want to, but I had to do something for this pain."
"That's okay, Mom," I reassured her. "You need to do what you need to, to be comfortable and get some rest."
She has been in the hospital now for nearly a week and Dad is looking forward to being able to take her home soon. He hasn't been able to get much rest at all since he's so worried about her.
"Dad, have you been eating?" I asked him when Mom handed the phone back.
"Yes, but not much. The food here in the hospital isn't so good, but I do eat what I can as well as make a little something for myself at home." he said.
They were supposed to do a sonogram on Mom's abdomen yesterday to see what could be causing all the pain, but apparently that has been postponed since Mom eats a little food. That just puts back the ability to be able to get the procedure done.
Our visit was cut short when the nurse came back to the room to give Mom some more medicines. She was growing very weary of all the meds that she had to take, but it's what needs to be done to be able to get her well and back home.
For now, her chemotherapy has been put on hold. She was to go back in this Monday, but all of that has been put on the back burner at the thought that the radiation and chemo that she's been getting is what is causing so much abdominal pain and discomfort.
Hopefully, she will be able to have the sonogram done soon so that we can all find out just what else is going on...then hopefully soon, Daddy will be able to take Mommy home.
Prayers for Dad to remain strong. Prayers for Mom that she becomes strong and gets better.
Dad answered and he sounded exhausted. He said that Mom has been in extreme pain all day and that if I wanted to talk with her to make it quick.
Mom's voice was shaky with a little bit of a cry in her tone. She could only muster out, "Not good, not good, not good." I could tell that she was suffering greatly all day and that there was a sense of fear in her mind.
"Jenni," she said, "I had to ask for some morphine. I didn't want to, but I had to do something for this pain."
"That's okay, Mom," I reassured her. "You need to do what you need to, to be comfortable and get some rest."
She has been in the hospital now for nearly a week and Dad is looking forward to being able to take her home soon. He hasn't been able to get much rest at all since he's so worried about her.
"Dad, have you been eating?" I asked him when Mom handed the phone back.
"Yes, but not much. The food here in the hospital isn't so good, but I do eat what I can as well as make a little something for myself at home." he said.
They were supposed to do a sonogram on Mom's abdomen yesterday to see what could be causing all the pain, but apparently that has been postponed since Mom eats a little food. That just puts back the ability to be able to get the procedure done.
Our visit was cut short when the nurse came back to the room to give Mom some more medicines. She was growing very weary of all the meds that she had to take, but it's what needs to be done to be able to get her well and back home.
For now, her chemotherapy has been put on hold. She was to go back in this Monday, but all of that has been put on the back burner at the thought that the radiation and chemo that she's been getting is what is causing so much abdominal pain and discomfort.
Hopefully, she will be able to have the sonogram done soon so that we can all find out just what else is going on...then hopefully soon, Daddy will be able to take Mommy home.
Prayers for Dad to remain strong. Prayers for Mom that she becomes strong and gets better.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
BACK IN THE HOSPITAL
I decide to call Dad just to say hello, like I usually do on a nearly daily basis.
Dad answers the phone in his usual chipper self with, "Hey Jenni!"
"Hey Dad," I answer back, "Whatcha doing?" I ask him.
"Oh nothing, we're in the hospital right now in the emergency room." He almost sounded like there was a laugh in his voice which confused me a little.
"We've been in here since 3am," it was now almost noon and my first thought was, why didn't you call me?
"What's going on, Dad?"
"Well, Mom was complaining of some severe pains in her stomach and so I rushed her to the hospital. We were in the waiting room for 7 hours and they finally got her in to see her. They did a CT scan on her stomach to see if there is any blockage at all and so we're just waiting for the results to come back for now." Dad said.
"How is Mom doing?"
"She's doing fine, actually," I could hear Mom in the background chattering with the nurses and all.
"They are really busy here at the hospital," Dad continued. "They don't have any room for Mom, so she is in a bed in the hallway right now. We're actually getting very good care here."
"In the hallway?" I asked sounded very concerned. The movie "Ghost" came to mind of the scene where Patrick Swayze's character was left in the hallway to be tended with later. People scampering everywhere not paying much mind to the patients taking up room, making the already narrow hall more difficult to walk through.
"So, does it look like they are going to admit her at all?" I asked.
"I'm not sure at all," Dad says. "We're still waiting for the doctor to read the scan."
We spoke for a little while on the phone until Dad had to hang up since the doctor was returning to Moms bedside.
I called my sister, Annie and asked if she knew anything about the situation. She did, which again kind of surprised me. Why didn't Dad call me? But that was not going to be a concern of mine at this time since thoughts like that were petty compared to Mom's situation. So, I quickly dashed any thoughts of questioning Dad later about it.
Later in the day, Dad did call me back and told me that Mom finally has her own room. She has been admitted because they want to keep her for observation.
What was to be an overnight stay, turned out to be a very long 4-day stay.
"Jenni?" Mom got on the phone one of the times that I had called.
"Mom, how are you?" I ask hoping that the sound of my voice didn't seem too shocking.
"Oh, I'm okay, honey. Thank you so much for your support and concern." Mom explained to me of how she has not been able to have a bowel movement for the past week. She also told me that she had spoken to her regular doctor about her pains last week, but that her doctor didn't really listen that well to her at all.
Mom assured me that there is no real concern at all, just that she is under excellent care right now and that she should be home soon again.
The next day, I had asked Dad if he stayed in the hospital with Mom or went home to get some rest.
"Oh, I tried to sleep," he said. "I went home and slept in the recliner until about 3am, then finally crawled in to bed, but I can't sleep at all. I want to take her home with me. I don't like this at all."
"I know, Dad, but she is being taken care of and she'll be home soon." I tried to reassure him.
A couple of days later and several updates later, I found out that Mom had to get 3 units of blood because she was so anemic. Again, I was reassured that she is fine and that she should be going home later this afternoon.
The journey continues as Mom fights her cancer and getting used to her new life in the wheelchair as well as dealing with her health going on a roller-coaster ride. But, in the end, Mom is a trooper. She's strong and has a willing drive to keep going. I love you Mom. You are such an inspiration to me and the family.
Dad answers the phone in his usual chipper self with, "Hey Jenni!"
"Hey Dad," I answer back, "Whatcha doing?" I ask him.
"Oh nothing, we're in the hospital right now in the emergency room." He almost sounded like there was a laugh in his voice which confused me a little.
"We've been in here since 3am," it was now almost noon and my first thought was, why didn't you call me?
"What's going on, Dad?"
"Well, Mom was complaining of some severe pains in her stomach and so I rushed her to the hospital. We were in the waiting room for 7 hours and they finally got her in to see her. They did a CT scan on her stomach to see if there is any blockage at all and so we're just waiting for the results to come back for now." Dad said.
"How is Mom doing?"
"She's doing fine, actually," I could hear Mom in the background chattering with the nurses and all.
"They are really busy here at the hospital," Dad continued. "They don't have any room for Mom, so she is in a bed in the hallway right now. We're actually getting very good care here."
"In the hallway?" I asked sounded very concerned. The movie "Ghost" came to mind of the scene where Patrick Swayze's character was left in the hallway to be tended with later. People scampering everywhere not paying much mind to the patients taking up room, making the already narrow hall more difficult to walk through.
"So, does it look like they are going to admit her at all?" I asked.
"I'm not sure at all," Dad says. "We're still waiting for the doctor to read the scan."
We spoke for a little while on the phone until Dad had to hang up since the doctor was returning to Moms bedside.
I called my sister, Annie and asked if she knew anything about the situation. She did, which again kind of surprised me. Why didn't Dad call me? But that was not going to be a concern of mine at this time since thoughts like that were petty compared to Mom's situation. So, I quickly dashed any thoughts of questioning Dad later about it.
Later in the day, Dad did call me back and told me that Mom finally has her own room. She has been admitted because they want to keep her for observation.
What was to be an overnight stay, turned out to be a very long 4-day stay.
"Jenni?" Mom got on the phone one of the times that I had called.
"Mom, how are you?" I ask hoping that the sound of my voice didn't seem too shocking.
"Oh, I'm okay, honey. Thank you so much for your support and concern." Mom explained to me of how she has not been able to have a bowel movement for the past week. She also told me that she had spoken to her regular doctor about her pains last week, but that her doctor didn't really listen that well to her at all.
Mom assured me that there is no real concern at all, just that she is under excellent care right now and that she should be home soon again.
The next day, I had asked Dad if he stayed in the hospital with Mom or went home to get some rest.
"Oh, I tried to sleep," he said. "I went home and slept in the recliner until about 3am, then finally crawled in to bed, but I can't sleep at all. I want to take her home with me. I don't like this at all."
"I know, Dad, but she is being taken care of and she'll be home soon." I tried to reassure him.
A couple of days later and several updates later, I found out that Mom had to get 3 units of blood because she was so anemic. Again, I was reassured that she is fine and that she should be going home later this afternoon.
The journey continues as Mom fights her cancer and getting used to her new life in the wheelchair as well as dealing with her health going on a roller-coaster ride. But, in the end, Mom is a trooper. She's strong and has a willing drive to keep going. I love you Mom. You are such an inspiration to me and the family.
BABY STEPS
What may seem like normal, everyday occurances to some, are actual baby steps of accomplishments to my Mom and our entire family.
Take showering for instance. Most of us enjoy a warm shower on a daily basis. Mom on the other hand has only been able to get away with meager sponge baths occasionally over the past 3 months. I was able to wash her hair one day after figuring out that I could get her wheelchair up to the sink close enough. Friends and other members of the family have come by to help her wash her hair, but showering and bathing has been something that Mom was nearly contending with that she'd never enjoy ever again....
Until today.
Her hair still dripping wet from a long, warm shower, she calls me.
"Jenni?" Mom says in a slightly shaky voice.
"Honey, I just had to share this with you. I just got done taking a shower all by myself today in the shower." She was so excited when she was explaining her accomplishments to me over the phone.
My first thought was, how the heck did she get up the two little steps to the shower? What about the slippery floor in there?
Mom told me that Daddy had build a very nice little bench that she could scoot from her wheelchair to the shower to the chair that he had put in there. She assured me that she never felt like she was in any kind of danger at all.
"Oh, it feels so good to actually get clean and wash my own hair." She said. I could hear a little laugh in her voice.
Since all this had taken Mom from an ambulatory life to a life now restricted to a wheelchair, she has only been able to take small sponge baths. That never really does any justice because she could never get "really" clean. Just the feeling of being able to lather and rinse and have the water run over her body to get clean is a feeling that most of us take for granted.
A couple of months ago, I was able to wash Mom's hair for her. This was the first time she was able to get it clean since all of this had transpired. So, being able to enjoy the shower and the feeling of being clean again was definitely a baby step of progress.
Good for you, Mom. I am so proud of you and your willingness to regain some sense of independence. It's always a good feeling. I love you.
Take showering for instance. Most of us enjoy a warm shower on a daily basis. Mom on the other hand has only been able to get away with meager sponge baths occasionally over the past 3 months. I was able to wash her hair one day after figuring out that I could get her wheelchair up to the sink close enough. Friends and other members of the family have come by to help her wash her hair, but showering and bathing has been something that Mom was nearly contending with that she'd never enjoy ever again....
Until today.
Her hair still dripping wet from a long, warm shower, she calls me.
"Jenni?" Mom says in a slightly shaky voice.
"Honey, I just had to share this with you. I just got done taking a shower all by myself today in the shower." She was so excited when she was explaining her accomplishments to me over the phone.
My first thought was, how the heck did she get up the two little steps to the shower? What about the slippery floor in there?
Mom told me that Daddy had build a very nice little bench that she could scoot from her wheelchair to the shower to the chair that he had put in there. She assured me that she never felt like she was in any kind of danger at all.
"Oh, it feels so good to actually get clean and wash my own hair." She said. I could hear a little laugh in her voice.
Since all this had taken Mom from an ambulatory life to a life now restricted to a wheelchair, she has only been able to take small sponge baths. That never really does any justice because she could never get "really" clean. Just the feeling of being able to lather and rinse and have the water run over her body to get clean is a feeling that most of us take for granted.
A couple of months ago, I was able to wash Mom's hair for her. This was the first time she was able to get it clean since all of this had transpired. So, being able to enjoy the shower and the feeling of being clean again was definitely a baby step of progress.
Good for you, Mom. I am so proud of you and your willingness to regain some sense of independence. It's always a good feeling. I love you.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
WHEELCHAIRS AND WALKERS
Well, Mom has never competed in a marathon or even contemplated joining in on the Olympics. However, she's always been one to encourage her children to always strive to do our best at whatever it is we wanted to do in life.
The doctor has given precise idea of what we're all dealing with regarding Mom's cancer. This is a reoccurrence of her colon cancer that she had back in 2001. This cancer has not gotten in to her colon, but instead has found its way in to her bones. Her right hip has taken the brunt of the attack. The doctor said that her hip bone is literally riddled with hundreds of hairline fractures. There is nothing that can be done to repair the damage done. Mom will never be able to walk again. She still can stand on her left leg, though, so occasionally she'll stand with her walker just to give her body a change of posture. So, it's wheelchairs and walkers the remainder of her days.
In following her progress with her cancer, she is now done with her radiation treatment that has shrunk the size of the tumor in her hip. Her pain has lessened a bit giving her more flexibility in being able to enjoy life with her family and friends.
Mom still has to do chemo every other week. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, she spends each morning in to the afternoon at the hospital receiving her treatments. Rachelle, my daughter stays with her the first 3 hours of her Grandmas 6-hour treatment. Then Dad stays with her the final 3. Then on Tuesday, it's only a couple of hours, then on Wednesday even shorter, then she's disconnected from her little bag and left alone for the next week and a half.
She's actually been doing quite well now. Eating better, getting around in her wheelchair more around the house. Her voice sounds more chipper and she's getting herself back in to some sort of routine.
I can hear Dad in the background, "I've been fired!" No you haven't Dad, you've only had your duties reduced a bit. It was you who brought Mom back to a form of human being by diligently tending to her every need and beckoning call all hours of the day and night.
Although Mom is doing a lot better, she continues to battle with occasional constipation. Her doctor told her to get Miralax from the store. He said that this product doesn't get in to the bloodstream, won't mess with her chemo and doesn't irritate the colon or sphincter muscles. She's also been having problems keeping any kind of weight on. In the past 6 months, she's lost over 50 pounds just sitting in the wheelchair. Gosh, I wish I could do that without any effort.
For now, all is good. Mom is doing well and getting better. Her claim is, "By His stripes, I AM healed!" That should be the claim of everyone because no matter what our illness, no matter how large or small our problem, we are healed by the blood of Christ. He died so that we may live.
The doctor has given precise idea of what we're all dealing with regarding Mom's cancer. This is a reoccurrence of her colon cancer that she had back in 2001. This cancer has not gotten in to her colon, but instead has found its way in to her bones. Her right hip has taken the brunt of the attack. The doctor said that her hip bone is literally riddled with hundreds of hairline fractures. There is nothing that can be done to repair the damage done. Mom will never be able to walk again. She still can stand on her left leg, though, so occasionally she'll stand with her walker just to give her body a change of posture. So, it's wheelchairs and walkers the remainder of her days.
In following her progress with her cancer, she is now done with her radiation treatment that has shrunk the size of the tumor in her hip. Her pain has lessened a bit giving her more flexibility in being able to enjoy life with her family and friends.
Mom still has to do chemo every other week. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, she spends each morning in to the afternoon at the hospital receiving her treatments. Rachelle, my daughter stays with her the first 3 hours of her Grandmas 6-hour treatment. Then Dad stays with her the final 3. Then on Tuesday, it's only a couple of hours, then on Wednesday even shorter, then she's disconnected from her little bag and left alone for the next week and a half.
She's actually been doing quite well now. Eating better, getting around in her wheelchair more around the house. Her voice sounds more chipper and she's getting herself back in to some sort of routine.
I can hear Dad in the background, "I've been fired!" No you haven't Dad, you've only had your duties reduced a bit. It was you who brought Mom back to a form of human being by diligently tending to her every need and beckoning call all hours of the day and night.
Although Mom is doing a lot better, she continues to battle with occasional constipation. Her doctor told her to get Miralax from the store. He said that this product doesn't get in to the bloodstream, won't mess with her chemo and doesn't irritate the colon or sphincter muscles. She's also been having problems keeping any kind of weight on. In the past 6 months, she's lost over 50 pounds just sitting in the wheelchair. Gosh, I wish I could do that without any effort.
For now, all is good. Mom is doing well and getting better. Her claim is, "By His stripes, I AM healed!" That should be the claim of everyone because no matter what our illness, no matter how large or small our problem, we are healed by the blood of Christ. He died so that we may live.
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