Re: A long day

[Guest guest]

Praying for you Diane!  Praying for Terry.

The bedside commode and hospital bed will make it easier for you both.  So is

the lactulose not helping with his confusion?  Our doc gave me a range in which

to give that to mom.  I could up the dose if she was having more

confusion.   How is Terry's output ?  Is he still eating?  I understand if you

don't have time to post.  Just wishing I could be there to hug your neck and

walk this journey with you.

 

Bless your heart!!

 

Love,

Pamela

Subject: A long day

To: " Cirrhosis Support Group " <livercirrhosissupport >

Date: Friday, January 16, 2009, 2:14 PM

Hello all.  Just wanted to quickly update you on Terry's situation.  Hospice is

wonderful and they take such good care of both of us.  We are truly blessed to

have them.

Terry's mental status has changed.  He is confused and disoriented and often

seems unable to see what is directly in front of him.  He has MAJOR difficulties

getting up from his recliner and doesn't understand simple commands anymore. 

His lucidity comes and goes.

Hospice had a hospital bed and bedside potty chair delived and set up today.. 

When I move him tonight, I will settle him into the bed.  It will be so much

easier to care for him there.  I have set up a nice comfy sofa in the room with

him so I can lie and rest and maybe sleep when he's sleeping.  I will feel more

comfortable since the bed has good rails on both sides.

I have no idea what all this means except that it is another step in the journey

we are taking.  Please pray for us.  The journey is not easy, but I know I can

do it with the help of the Lord and my praying friends.

Love to all of you!

Diane

[Guest guest]

Thank you Jill.  Hospice is wonderful and yes, it has helped to lighten my

load.  They are always no futher than a phone call away and always know just

exactly what to do.  I wish we could all be together for a big old group hug

too!  Love you Jill!

________________________________

To: livercirrhosissupport

Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 6:38:48 PM

Subject: Re: A long day

I want you know, Diane,that you are wonderful. You are taking that journey that

some of us will also be taking. Your grace and devotion.... .even through those

frustrating times, are an inspiraion. I am praying for you and Terry and am so

grateful for the help hospice is giving you. It seems as though your burden is

just a little easier. Wish we could all be with you for a group hug !

                                       

                                    Love,Jill

 

We don't remember days, we remember moments.

Life is not measured by the breaths we take,but by the moments that take our

breath away.

From: diane chandler <dianechandler@ att.net>

Subject: A long day

To: " Cirrhosis Support Group " <livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com>

Date: Friday, January 16, 2009, 6:14 PM

Hello all.  Just wanted to quickly update you on Terry's situation.  Hospice is

wonderful and they take such good care of both of us.  We are truly blessed to

have them.

Terry's mental status has changed.  He is confused and disoriented and often

seems unable to see what is directly in front of him.  He has MAJOR difficulties

getting up from his recliner and doesn't understand simple commands anymore. 

His lucidity comes and goes.

Hospice had a hospital bed and bedside potty chair delived and set up today. 

When I move him tonight, I will settle him into the bed.  It will be so much

easier to care for him there.  I have set up a nice comfy sofa in the room with

him so I can lie and rest and maybe sleep when he's sleeping.  I will feel more

comfortable since the bed has good rails on both sides.

I have no idea what all this means except that it is another step in the journey

we are taking.  Please pray for us.  The journey is not easy, but I know I can

do it with the help of the Lord and my praying friends.

Love to all of you!

Diane

[Guest guest]

Getting the lactulose into him is a problem now.  He is refusing to swallow it. 

He eats about once a day, occasionally a small snack for a second 'meal'.  His

output is low and is very orange/red in color.  He has good bowel movements in

spite of the fact that he refuses the lactulose on most days.  I so much

appreciate your prayers and support Pamela.  I don't how I would make it through

this without the Lord and praying friends like you!

Love and hugs...........

Diane

________________________________

To: livercirrhosissupport

Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 11:25:20 PM

Subject: Re: A long day

Praying for you Diane!  Praying for Terry.

The bedside commode and hospital bed will make it easier for you both.  So is

the lactulose not helping with his confusion?  Our doc gave me a range in which

to give that to mom.  I could up the dose if she was having more

confusion.   How is Terry's output ?  Is he still eating?  I understand if you

don't have time to post.  Just wishing I could be there to hug your neck and

walk this journey with you.

 

Bless your heart!!

 

Love,

Pamela

From: diane chandler <dianechandler@ att.net>

Subject: A long day

To: " Cirrhosis Support Group " <livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com>

Date: Friday, January 16, 2009, 2:14 PM

Hello all.  Just wanted to quickly update you on Terry's situation.  Hospice is

wonderful and they take such good care of both of us.  We are truly blessed to

have them.

Terry's mental status has changed.  He is confused and disoriented and often

seems unable to see what is directly in front of him.  He has MAJOR difficulties

getting up from his recliner and doesn't understand simple commands anymore. 

His lucidity comes and goes.

Hospice had a hospital bed and bedside potty chair delived and set up today.. 

When I move him tonight, I will settle him into the bed.  It will be so much

easier to care for him there.  I have set up a nice comfy sofa in the room with

him so I can lie and rest and maybe sleep when he's sleeping.  I will feel more

comfortable since the bed has good rails on both sides.

I have no idea what all this means except that it is another step in the journey

we are taking.  Please pray for us.  The journey is not easy, but I know I can

do it with the help of the Lord and my praying friends.

Love to all of you!

Diane

[Guest guest]

Thank you MaC.  I am better today.  Hospice got the bed and potty chair out here

yesterday, but in typical Terry fashion, he refused to get into it last night. 

The confusion is coming and going.  I think when he is in a more lucid state of

mind today, I can get him into the bed if I remind him that it will make it

easier on me.  Hospice has been wonderful!  I am so thankful for them.

How are things going for you?  Are you missing that little angel baby yet?  I

know that's a dumb question, huh?!  Take care of yourself.

Hugs.......

Diane

________________________________

To: livercirrhosissupport

Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 2:15:37 AM

Subject: A long day

Diane,

I want you to know you and Terry are always in my thoughts and prayers. I wish I

could be there to comfort you.

Love,

MaC

rom: diane chandler <dianechandler@ att.net>

Subject: A long day

To: " Cirrhosis Support Group " <livercirrhosissuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com>

Date: Friday, January 16, 2009, 2:14 PM

Hello all. Just wanted to quickly update you on Terry's situation. Hospice is

wonderful and they take such good care of both of us. We are truly blessed to

have them.

Terry's mental status has changed. He is confused and disoriented and often

seems unable to see what is directly in front of him. He has MAJOR difficulties

getting up from his recliner and doesn't understand simple commands anymore. His

lucidity comes and goes.

Hospice had a hospital bed and bedside potty chair delived and set up today..

When I move him tonight, I will settle him into the bed. It will be so much

easier to care for him there. I have set up a nice comfy sofa in the room with

him so I can lie and rest and maybe sleep when he's sleeping. I will feel more

comfortable since the bed has good rails on both sides.

I have no idea what all this means except that it is another step in the journey

we are taking. Please pray for us. The journey is not easy, but I know I can do

it with the help of the Lord and my praying friends.

Love to all of you!

Diane

[Guest guest]

Diane, I am glad you get a little weight off your shoulders with

hospice there. My mother and step-dad both had hospice and it really

made their passing so much more peaceful. I was wondering why he can't

get a transplant? Do you have children together? How did he get so

sick.. Hep C? liver cancer? I am sorry that I don't know already cuz I

hate to make you think about these things but I would really like to

know, maybe we can kind of relate on some things. Also, I'm not sure

where you live but it might be helpful to look up the american liver

foundation and give them a call to see if there's a support group

around you, family members are welcome to be there even if your

husband can't make it. I think the couch in the room is such an

excellent idea, you need your rest too. I will be praying for Terry to

have a miracle and for you to have some peace through everything. I

feel love and sadness for your family. You are a great woman to be

there for your husband. I've felt the helpless feeling and the hurt

inside from seeing someone you love suffering. Know that you are not

alone, remember that what counts right now is the holding of his hand

and talking to him, that is the greatest comfort you can really give.

God bless you both.

[Guest guest]

hi diane ,i am so glad hospice is there with you, it makes me so sad

for you and terry but i know GOD has a plan for all of us.the bed

freaked me out alitle when i first read it but hospice is probably

trying to make him more comfortable.i pray it helps him rest better

and you .i pray this is just a bad spell and it passes and he wakes

up from a napsy and is the good ole terry you know and love.you are

both in my thoughts a prayers,i love ya all!!!barby and bobby glen---

In livercirrhosissupport , diane chandler

wrote:

>

> Hello all.  Just wanted to quickly update you on Terry's

situation.  Hospice is wonderful and they take such good care of both

of us.  We are truly blessed to have them.

>

> Terry's mental status has changed.  He is confused and disoriented

and often seems unable to see what is directly in front of him.  He

has MAJOR difficulties getting up from his recliner and doesn't

understand simple commands anymore.  His lucidity comes and goes.

>

> Hospice had a hospital bed and bedside potty chair delived and set

up today.  When I move him tonight, I will settle him into the bed. 

It will be so much easier to care for him there.  I have set up a

nice comfy sofa in the room with him so I can lie and rest and maybe

sleep when he's sleeping.  I will feel more comfortable since the bed

has good rails on both sides.

>

> I have no idea what all this means except that it is another step

in the journey we are taking.  Please pray for us.  The journey is

not easy, but I know I can do it with the help of the Lord and my

praying friends.

>

> Love to all of you!

>

> Diane

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, that is not an easy thing to swallow, but your husband is really

a very courageous and selfless person to accept the hand he was dealt

so well. Has hospice given you a little blue book that kind of walks

you through end stages? It was very helpful for me to read that to

understand better what was going on with my mom. When I got to her

house in NY from OH she was in a coma with her eyes still open, she

fought for three more days. We knew it was coming but it still shook

us. I was there the wknd before taking her to get tapped at the

hospital, she seemed to know her time was limited and told me she was

proud of me. Then my brother called 5 days later and told me to get

there immediately so I called hospice in NY and they told me she only

had a day or two. They were as caught off guard as we were. I am not

writing this because I want you to think that upset you or anything,

just sharing, please don't get me wrong. I was almost listed last year

and then overnight my tumor markers went out of cancer range

(miracle), I was a week away from chemo while on treatment. No one

knows what God has in store for us. How are you doing Diane? How do

you feel? I imagine there is too many or not enough words to describe

how you feel. Has hospice given you any timeframe? How is Terry doing?

>

> Thank you so much for your prayers and support . Terry has

cirrhosis due to uncontrolled type II diabetes and elevated

cholesterol levels. He also has some sort of genetic disorder, can't

remember the name at this time, that would begin destroying a new

liver as soon as it was transplanted. He elected not to try to get a

transplant because he didn't feel it was fair to those who needed

livers and whose bodies wouldn't set about destorying them

immediately. I have a wonderful network of family and friends locally

and online for support and prayers. I am so blessed that I also now

have the Hospice team, who are absolutely wonderful, loving people who

take such good care of BOTH of us. Thank you again for your prayers.

>

> Hugs........

> Diane

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: livercirrhosissupport

> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 8:12:49 AM

> Subject: Re: A long day

>

>

> Diane, I am glad you get a little weight off your shoulders with

> hospice there. My mother and step-dad both had hospice and it really

> made their passing so much more peaceful. I was wondering why he can't

> get a transplant? Do you have children together? How did he get so

> sick.. Hep C? liver cancer? I am sorry that I don't know already cuz I

> hate to make you think about these things but I would really like to

> know, maybe we can kind of relate on some things. Also, I'm not sure

> where you live but it might be helpful to look up the american liver

> foundation and give them a call to see if there's a support group

> around you, family members are welcome to be there even if your

> husband can't make it. I think the couch in the room is such an

> excellent idea, you need your rest too. I will be praying for Terry to

> have a miracle and for you to have some peace through everything. I

> feel love and sadness for your family. You are a great woman to be

> there for your husband. I've felt the helpless feeling and the hurt

> inside from seeing someone you love suffering. Know that you are not

> alone, remember that what counts right now is the holding of his hand

> and talking to him, that is the greatest comfort you can really give.

> God bless you both.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Not too much info at all! It is great that you are able to open up and

let it out, I'm glad you are ok. I feel like I know where your at

right now emotionally but I'm sure a spouse is different than a mom,

both very hard, but I didn't spend every day with her ya know. I can't

imagine not having my hubby, I suppose he might fear losing me

sometimes though. I also loved hearing your conversation with him, I

remember telling my mother the same thing since they said hearing was

last to go. Don't think you have to let go of him because you can

always keep him dear to your heart, no one can take away all the

memories you have made with him over the years. Another thing that's

important is to have things prepared so in his passing you don't have

to worry about everything bombarding you, everything goes by so fast

and you should be able to grieve your loss without having your

checkbook out. It is a good sign that he is able to use the toilet, my

mother had a catheder and we had to turn her body and crush her pain

meds and stick them in her mouth. It seems like a movie, just unreal,

if you know what i mean. It is wonderful you had that convo today and

were able to hear your husband give you all his love and feels your

love in return. Sounds like you two have really completed each others

lives. What a wonderful blessing. You can let him know he will have

more time with you when God calls your number. Then you can be

together and he will be in no pain.

" He is a wonderful, coureageous man who has loved me and taken care

of me better than I could have ever imagined possible. I will never

get over losing him because I will never get over having had the

privilege of loving him! "

That is such a beautiful statement, even I can feel the love You

should read it to him, I know it would mean alot. What a soldier he is

being. I send you both much love and prayers, your bond is very special.