Hospice Care

Stan's Hospice nurse came yesterday and the social worker came today. They are very helpful and really have Stan's best interest at heart. Stan started having waves of nausea yesterday. This has made if very difficult for him to want to eat or drink anything. Yesterday he was able to keep down a carnation breakfast he ate, just before he went to bed. It is after lunch today and Stan has only been able to drink about a half a glass of Gatorade. I hope this will pass soon so that he can take in more food. The social worker said she would have his nurse check on some anti-nausea medicine. Stan enjoys the book he is reading, "Retreat from Gettysburg" and the visits from our church friends.

Anniversary

Thirty-five years ago today, Stan and I started our eternal journey together as husband and wife. He has, and is continuing to bless and teach.
He has not been able to attend church for the past 3 weeks, so the young men brought him the Sacrament today. He has only been able to eat a few bites of solids in the past week so he is quite weak, but his spirits are high.
Tom was able to spend a few hours with us this morning, on his drive home from Georgia. He put 8 1/2" by 11" pictures of Stan with each one of his grandchildren, on the wall across from Stan's chair. Stan has enjoyed just sitting there looking at the pictures. His family is so important to him. Thank you so much Tom and Erin for getting the pictures and framing them.

Busy Times

Tuesday Stan and I went down to his office for a couple of hours. I took his pictures off his walls and collected some of his personal items. Wednesday the hospice Chaplin came and we had a wonderful visit. He talked with us about what we believed about dying and the afterlife. He was pleased that we both felt the same about what would happen. He told Stan that he would continue to teach those around right to the end. He let me know that Stan's desire to eat would continue to decline until he would stop eating and I was not to feel guilty, and that Stan would stop talking but that we were not to stop talking to him. It was hard to hear but there was also a peace. I did need some time after Stan took a nap to just wrap in the 'magic quilt' and feel loved. Today I took Stan to his HR office to sign his retirement papers. They will take effect on September 30.

Time Together

I start my long term leave today. I was lucky to get some great substitute teachers for my classroom so that I can relax and just concentrate on being at home. Stan continues to decline. He hasn't felt well enough to attend church for the last two weeks. He hasn't left the house for about a week and a half, when his boss had to drive him home because he had a dizzy spell at work. As his body slowly gives up on him his mind still plans for the days when he will feel a little better. He is still hoping to get to work to put in about 3 hours, to put the finishing touches on his last project. We had some wonderful visits from church friends last night and he lit up at the package of pictures of his grandchildren from Tom and Erin.
Thank you for being there to share this journey with us. We love you and thank you for your support.

Hospice

This has been a busy week getting set up with hospice. Tuesday we meet for two hours with the intake nurse. Ben, Tom and our high priest group leader were here to lend their support. Wednesday, the hospice social worker met with Stan and Tom while I was at work. Stan's hospital bed, wheelchair, walker, shower chair etc. were delivered. Stan's nurse came just, as I was getting home. He is from the Philippines. Stan showed him his pictures from his mission in the Philippians. I think it will be a good match. Everyone has been so caring.
The hospital bed has helped Stan get a little more comfortable.

Pop Quiz

I know this blog is about Stan but since Stan and I and eternal partners I will write about me today. I don't want this to sound old, but I am so overcome at how much or Heavenly Father loves and knows each one of us and what we need. Today I received a pop quiz. Stan was in the shower so I picked up the yard and got the lawn mower out. I decided to check see how the laundry was coming along before I started mowing the lawn. When I went downstairs I found the basement flooded. The extra credit on this quiz was I had just put all the towels in the washer. I was so grateful that I had this challenge while I still have a coach and on a day I was home from work. I think I received an A on the quiz since I cleaned up so nicely after myself but Stan received an A+. He was a great coach.
Tom and his family were here for the weekend. I told Tom that I was concerned about Stan being at home all day by himself. I felt the days would get very long for him. As soon as we got to church yesterday, Brother Peterson came up to Stan and asked him when he could come visit. We are all right because we have so many wonderful friends and family.

Oncology Visit

Stan had a visit with his oncologist today. The meeting was mainly about making Stan as comfortable as possible. He signed a paper so we could get a handicap sticker for the car. He also changed Stan's pain meds. and emailed Hospice to contact us about receiving help at home. The oncologist did not give us the percent of Stan's liver function, but he said it was working adequately. He will have the papers filled out for long term leave as soon as Stan wants it done. Stan is still going to work on the days when he feels well enough to go.