Happy Birthday

Mum had a very full and happy birthday.

We had an appt with the specialist and he has ordered fro tomorrow more bloods and Xrays. Wondering if her poor kidneys are contributing to her weakness. Her scan a month ago indicated increase in size and number of lung lesions and a 'shadow' in the liver, most likely new spread (we were focussed on the blocked vessel at time).

Mum is losing breath and strength progressively and can now just potter around the house. Stairs are big trouble and getting going (shower, in/out bed or walk to car) causes her to puff and pant. She has trouble eating much more than a tiny serving at any meal, and can't drink fluids at the same time but waits until her fullness eases a little.

She had a nasty episode of 'visual disturbance' 10 days ago, and still don't know what that was. She is off the Dexa, and the top half swelling has gone down, thanks to unblocking the venacava vein. Now, though, it is possible to see the profile of lumps around her shoulders and neck (prob lymph nodes being reactive or affected by spread) She works hard at the breathing and is sore in the muscles. Just as the oedema in her head/shoulders was diminishing, her legs and lower abdo have been swelling for the first time, despite the pressure stockings.

How wonderful the discovery of letters under the house, mostly between Dad and Mum in the 1940's & 50's, but many others too. She was too unwell prior to the stent procedure to look at them but is now working through some with great joy and delight (there are 100s of letters up to 10+ pages). It gets better, on the trip out to her brother's farm (old family property in Golspie) last week, we discovered many more letters, and documents going back as far as 1916 WW1 and some between her parents. She is savouring and enjoying them. Need more time to continue her own recordings as well.

She had a precious afternoon with her long-term group (book study, friendship) and they treated her to a memorable ceremonial washing, annointing and communion - beautiful!

She squeezed in another trip yesterday to Goulburn to spend part of the day with 2 sisters and share together. She is encouraging them (you too) to record their life story - written or audio recording. She has had much satisfaction going through past memories and she is free of all the old baggage, wishing everybody would just open the doors to clean out their cupboards, so to speak.

Well, as Mum says every night,

"See you in the morning!" and hums a bar of "Morning has broken"

Love Beth

PS Thank you all for caring about Mum and us, practical help and staying in touch, etc..

Contact

Dear folks,
Thank you for all messages and kind thoughts. Isn't it wonderful to be able to catch up like this at any time of the day? It may not be personal daily communication, but at least this way you know something, because I truly could not keep up with all the contacts and the phone would be constantly off the hook.

Mum has spent time reading another blog (printed out) by a young fellow who is sharing his situation on a website (much prettier and more professional than ours, Hi Cam!) Anyway, she loves his style, guts and honesty and really relates to his latest blurb. Hope I can put this in, OK Cam?
http://www.thewalkbeside.com/2008/02/29/on-being-positive-hopeful-and-realistic/
or home www.thewalkbeside.com

Well, kind regards, sincerely, faithfully, warmest thoughts, fondly yours, yours truly, deeply, madly... (whatever signoff would be for you) ;~)
Love from Beth for Joan, Chris and families

29 Feb 08 - Waking up tomorrow

29 Feb 08
Well, despite the technical success of the procedure on Monday, Mum is still becoming increasingly weak and breathless. The doctors were delighted with having discovered the blocked vessel and corrected it, but we all realise that the masses have increased in number and size, and must be more responsible for her current condition. No doubt, this procedure was beneficial anyway.

We had hoped that relieving the venous congestion to her upper body would alleviate the limited breathing and heart strain. (She had a 2nd episode of chest pain on Wed PM) The visible swelling to her face, head, neck and shoulders has reduced and we assume that internal oedema is resolving too, so it is a real disappointment to accept that it might not be enough to improve her significantly (however temporary).

Mum was pleased with the specialist who was honest enough to say that quality is her main priority, not quantity. She would much rather a straight understanding.

We wanted this to be a quiet week of rest and recovery but it has been instead, full of activity and stimulation. The loo needed fixing 3 times (new seals and mechanism), shed fridges had to be emptied and swapped, the garage door broke (at ballistic speed), the microwave went bang (using Chrissy’s spare now), tradesmen bashed around doing some work booked in weeks ago, kids coming and going, Doctor visits, blood tests and urgent business taken care of.

Poor Chris has been on and off at work, very difficult trying to do everything she usually has to do and big medical stuff and be with Mum at home and for appointments. She did get some good news herself - saw the specialist who said her bone strength was now up in good range (first time in years) and her back fracture is slowly healing. The 6-month scan shows the beginning of healing from the outside edges toward the centre (like a cake cooking). The 2nd horse might have to come back, which is another real worry, expense and stress for her. Her cute puppy (unnamed) is a source of great delight and bother.

Tom has had some days off to be around for the children and many jobs we have needed help with. Couldn’t have got through without him. Steve was away at school camp Sunday-Wednesday and Leah is off next week Wed-Friday. Homework routine is shot as they have limited time, support or opportunity to get anything done at home where they can access the things they need, oh well. Somehow the pets are surviving. The chook lays her eggs in the rabbit burrow and the dog keeps them safe in his kennel till we remember to collect them. The budgies are all in the outside cage and our fish numbers are about 2, last check. One inside, one outside in the pond with the frog. Gilly dog is a patient old gentleman with the puppy when we puppysit her.

Through recent weeks and days, Mum has had much to say that is inspirational, encouraging and beautiful. She feels such love and is praising the Lord so often for the blessings in her life as she looks back over the years, as well as right now. She feels all her issues are dealt with and has no regrets, wouldn’t change even the bad stuff, because it created the person she is today. She reckons she’s the most loved and blessed lady in the world. She approaches each day with a bright attitude and feels fulfilled and at peace when she settles at night. She said she is content and will wake up tomorrow, either in her bed or in heaven.

Thank you for your loving thoughts and care; for not visiting when you’d like to and for coming when it was right anyway. For messages and calls (sorry, Mum has not been keen to talk on the phone this week).

Must sign off. Love to all and God bless you, ‘cos He’s sure blessed us!
Beth for Joan, Chris and families

27 Feb 08 - Slow going

Mum's still working very hard, puffing and gasping. We hoped her breathing would have improved but it's a struggle. I wonder if the lungs and heart are overloaded temporarily due to increased flow from above. We are hopeful soon the balance will equalise and there will be haemodynamic stability (gotta use a medical description here to save lots of waffle).

Thank you for loving thoughts, flowers and messages.

25 Feb 08 - Stricture opened

25Feb08

Dear All,

Mum sends her love and thanks for all your prayers and concern.

So far, so good!! Monday morning went well with the venagram (via the right groin) up into the Superior Vena Cava and found a tight restriction of blood flow. 95-99% obstructed. They were able to balloon stretch it out (unpleasant) to a degree but was very tight, possibly old scar tissue causing the stricture. So a stent was successfully introduced which has opened the vessel to more like 70%. Thank the Lord!! and clever doctors...

We were delayed leaving hospital this evening because of persistent bleeding at the site (due to warfarin) and Mum's BP was way up. But the signs are good and we are excited anticipating new opportunities with the free flow and improved circulation. It might take a little while for the oedema to settle. She's worn out and quiet, but happy!

We are so grateful for the wonderful way God made our bodies, especially when they work the way they were meant to.

Warmest regards,

Beth for Joan, Chris and our families