Recovering at home

Joe was released on Monday - sorry that I didn't post - we have been pretty busy getting him back settled at home and getting the nursing service and supplies together. He is on oxygen 24/7 which was delivered late Monday. My dad's an old pro at it so he's been helping me learn how to use the large condensor and the smaller tanks if Joe is to leave the house. It took us a few tries to get the condensor in a place that does not keep us all up at night - it's pretty loud. But the oxygen is all set. We have set up the office on the first floor as a bedroom for Joe as he is too weak to get up the stairs at night. A hospital bed was delivered and we moved just a little furniture to get it all set for him. The last thing to get set up in the room is to hook the TV up to cable. This is tomorrow's task for Bill!

I worked the phones for a good part of today to set up a visiting nurse service as Joe is too ill to stay home alone. All the insurance will cover is 2 hours per day- and I fought like crazy to get that. It may start in a few days or a few weeks - as soon as they have found someone to cover the need. In the meantime I have hired, on a trial, a 4 hour per day visiting nurse service to sit with Joe from 11-3. I am going to give it a few days - they start on Thursday - and see how it goes. I am hoping that he gets stronger and won't need that level of care, but for now, he definately cannot stay home alone. I will most likely induce Maureen's idea of a rotating schedule to help me so that I can get to work for at least 4 hours per day. I know many of you reading have offered to help and I will take you up on your very kind offers.

Joe is still on IV antibiotics twice per day that we are administering and his pain meds have been increased. Today I think he was overmedicated and such we have cut back on it - I don't want to have him in pain, however, he slept all day and it was difficult to get him to wake up and focus, eat and drink. Tonight he was a little better, but he cannot seem to stay awake for more than 30 minutes before he is sound asleep again. I don't know if it's progression of disease, the chemotherapy treatment, the pain medication or a combination of them all. We miss his laughter and humor in the house.

I just want to tell you all how much I appreciate the love and care that have come our way for the last 10 months. From Paul setting up the blog to cards, prayers, calls, dinners, visits and fund raisers. Nothing that was done was not appreciated and if I didn't say thank you - then I am remiss. They say that friends are angels who pick us up when our wings have forgotten how to fly. This has been an incredibly difficult time for us all and we are holding fast on hope and prayer that this last ditch effort will be successful. I am hopeful because of the oncology website that we're on and the talk about the positive outcomes of treatment - the miracle has happened to others - - why not Joe? The days are darkest before the dawn - we are looking forward to a bright dawn tomorrow. Today was a not-so-great day. My dad came over to give me a pep talk - I guess I needed it. Tomorrow will be better. Every day we have Joe in it gives us hope for tomorrow.

So here's to a better tomorrow - even though the Rangers lost their home game to Webster Thomas - there's a brighter tomorrow. I'll keep looking for that rainbow.

Love,
Vicki, Gina and Tom