A Continuous Roller Coaster Ride!

It has been quite a rollercoaster since Pat made it home from the hospital on Friday. Although her pain has been well managed with the new pain pump the nausea has been quite a different story. It seems as though the moment the doctors get a handle on one symptom, the next one flares up. We spent the weekend, on into the first of the week on the phone with and visiting doctors to get the nausea managed. Her pain management doctor put some nausea medication directly into her pain pump and she was prescribed a cream that has worked quite well for her. She rubs it on the inside of her forearm and within a few minutes she feels the nausea begin to ease up. She was able to eat a bit on Tuesday morning and over the past couple days she has had a much better time being able to eat and manage keeping her medications down as well as regulating her blood sugar. On Monday she went to her oncologist who decided that at this point her body is too weak to handle any chemotherapy. So, Pat has turned the situation over to the Lord and knows that from here on out it is strictly dependent upon His timetable. Pat is in good spirits and enjoys the time that she has when she is feeling well. She has been enjoying visits from family and neighbors and has been blessed by so many members of the ward who have brought in such wonderful dinners. She is thankful for all those who have been sacrificing and serving on her behalf.

On Her Way Home!

Pat is feeling chatty, happy and ready to go home! She is waiting for the doctor to come and give her final instructions and then we are on our way! Her appetite is growing again and she is able to walk with assistance from only one person! This has been a great couple of days!

Calibrated to the Millimeter

I couldn't resist sharing this little story. The first night after Pat's surgery, Cindy spent the night at the hospital with her. Everytime Pat got out of and back into bed Cindy would have to adjust the pillows in Pat's bed just right! Although this sounds like a minor task, this is one of the more time consuming, tedious tasks that Pat requires assistance with.

By Thursday night (after Lonna spent the day with Pat in the hospital) Pat decided that Lonna was the best at arranging her pillows. When Buddy tried helping her with her pillows on Thursday night he worked and worked and worked and when he finished he asked, "Is that alright Pat?" She responded with her eyes closed as she was trying to decide whether or not the arrangement would work by saying, "Wow, Lonna is really good at arranging these pillows". We all started cracking up and Buddy had it right when he said the Pat's pillows are calibrated to the millimeter!!!

On Friday morning Pat explained how pertinent the pillow arranging was to her comfort and further added that the tiniest wrinkle in the bedding or movement of the pillows can cause the most discomfort to a lady that is laying in a hospital bed all day. She said that she is like the princess who could feel the pea under her mattress. Then with a puzzled look she questioned, "What is her name again?" We said, that's the story of the Princess and the Pea. She said, "Yes, exactly...I am like the princess and the pea!!"

And with that we will continue to work towards the standard set by Lonna! :)

So far...it's a Success!!

After having the pain pump put in yesterday Pat was able to eat a fish dinner last night. Something she has not been able to do for a couple weeks now! She will be coming home from the hospital tomorrow. So far all of the pain that the cancer has been causing her in her back an stomach has gone away. She is sore from the surgery and this is why she is going to stay under the care of the hospital nurses for one more night! We are all so excited that it has proven so successful today! Thank you for all your prayers and thanks to the amazing missionaries in Brazil who are doing a mission wide fast in her behalf. She is truly being watched over and uplifted by our Heavenly Father!

Doctor...take this pain away!

Today Pat went in for surgery to have a pain pump put in to help control her back pain. We are expecting her to be released from the hospital either tomorrow or Friday. The pain management doctor said that they will not release her from the hospital until her pain is under control! This is great news and we are excited for her to be back home and feeling more comfortable!