Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Tuesday 2/4 Update

Hospice has been a blessing.  They have provided Denise with pain relief, something that has been elusive for several months.

With the pain relief she has been experiencing severe tiredness, sleeping for long periods of time and occasionally having some confusion and disorientation. With the help of hospice we have been trying to adjust the medicine to decrease the sleepiness while still keeping the pain relief.

The main medicine that is helping with the pain relief is being gradually increased.  Unfortunately every time it is increased it causes several days of sleepiness as the body adjusts to it.

We've received feedback that many are having problems with accessing or posting to the blog so we've created a new Facebook page.  The Facebook group is Denise's Journey.  If you do not use Facebook, we are asking that you e-mail your stories and pictures to Adam Holbrook and he will post them for you.   Email Adam Here

We are encouraging people to post pictures and experiences (not just pictures), stories or memories spent with Denise on a new Facebook page.  Denise can read and reflect on these wonderful memories during her quiet times.

Once you get to the Facebook page, request to be a member.  As we check our e-mail and confirm your request you will be able to post photos and stories.





Saturday, February 1, 2014

2/1/2014 Update

Some posts did not make it here to the blog so this is an update to that as well as some new news.

Denise came home from the hospital on the 26th.  It was a bit of an ordeal getting home.

Since then pain has been the biggest issue.

On the 30th another CT scan showed the cancer has progressed.  Due to the surgery the options are limited, at least for the next few weeks.

As a result of the pain and the results of the CT scan and currently limited options, Denise has decided to start pain management with hospice, with the hopes that the pain can be better managed.

We continue to have hope that once she has healed from the surgery other options will be available and hospice will be discontinued.

As we go forward at this point we are encouraging visits.  Our biggest concern is with Denise needing extensive rest and becoming too tired with visits.   The most common question we get is "when should I come?"  Unfortunately this is not a question we can answer completely. Usually, 11 is the earliest for visiting.  Sometimes pain causes changes that we cannot control and visits may need to be cancelled/changed.  As most of you know, Denise will not want to disappoint anybody, so we know you will understand if this happens.

If you would like to visit, we encourage you to e-mail hearts@softcom.net when you are thinking of coming.  Please also include a number where we can call/text in case we need to contact you to make a change.  Please check your messages/e-mail prior to coming.  Also be aware that you might get an e-mail from someone else as we try to keep anybody from getting overwhelmed by all the details that are needing to be taken care of at this time. Please make the e-mail subject "Visit with Denise"

We continue to pray for health and healing and have added a great deal of prayer for pain relief.

Thank you all for your support and love.


(compiled with help from family and friends)

Dr. Oliver