Monday update

BRIEF:  Nausea and cramping.  Hospice had us open the "comfort box" to give her anti nausea meds.

It's been a rough couple of days for mom.  She just keeps filling up with fluid.  Her nausea is pretty bad, but thankfully she hasn't vomited so far.  I just gave her the first pill from the "comfort box," the hospice nurse had me give it to her and will check back in a couple of hours to see if it is working.  Mom's stomach is hurting, along with her ribs, and normal back stuff, including spasms.  She had a bad migraine (are there any good migraines?) yesterday.  We tried having her sleep in the hospital bed again, but it wasn't comfortable.for her.  I am going to start sleeping in her room on an air mattress to keep up with her during the night.

I know that some of you still want to visit.  But, she feels pretty awful and not at all like having company.  She said she doesn't want people to come to watch her sleep, or try to get comfortable.  I told her that she needs to consider the people who haven't been by yet.  To allow them to at least stop in for 2 minutes to hug her neck and tell her they love her.  It's likely only going to get worse.

I wish there was something wonderful I could pass on, but right now things aren't very good. We are also trying to find out from hospice, sort of what to expect.  If she does start vomiting and having breathing issues, is she going to aspirate (or whatever it is when you choke on your on vomit).  Sorry for the graphics.  Just trying to be realistic.  She wants to know if her stomach is going to continue expanding until it explodes.  The nurse I just spoke with said as the fluid continues to develop it will continue to go to the stomach and soft tissue areas.

There is part of me that would like to say she can't go on like this.  However, I'm afraid that she can continue like this for quite a while.  Her body has been almost as stubborn as she is in its tenacity to survive.  I just hope we can get her comfortable.