Hospice is so nice that sometimes you forget why you're here.
It's Tom here, back by popular demand. I say popular demand, but really i'm writing the blog because Dad is understandably rather tired and he needs to save his energy for the night shift tonight.
It's been a lovely day today, as those of you lucky enough to live in Jersey will know. We opened the doors and pushed the bed as far outside as we could so that mum could enjoy the sunshine, fresh air and pleasant temperature. She even felt good enough to request a photo with Dad. I would post it but I think she might kill me - I once posted a photo of her asleep after Chemo and she was not happy.
Mum is, well, being mum. She has to take oral antibiotics 4 times a day to ensure there's no infection in her legs, and even though she's told that she doesn't have to, she still forces it down. Daniel has told her many times that she definitely does not want to get sepsis and I think she's actually listened to him!
As is becoming more and more the case, we've focussed our efforts on just making sure she's as comfortable as she can be. This can be hard as sometimes we have to interpret her needs due to her not being able to effectively communicate. I made a comment to her earlier and couldn't work out what her response meant. Can anyone tell me what it means when she just gives you a middle finger as a hand signal?!
Fortunately her needs are quite simple - it's usually one of needing to sit up, move, or requesting water. Even Jack, Dan and I can just about manage those.
We've had some conversations today with mum but everything is getting a little more difficult for her, as well as everyone here. That said, she has still made some hilarious 'dark humour' comments, so we know she's still alive and kicking in her head.
It's hard for me to provide some sort of positivity from the situation like I usually would, because frankly it's damn depressing, but we try and make light of it where we can. One of the good things about her having no hair is that we can at least give her head a little stroke to relax her and let her know that we're there.
She's been having a rest for a lot of the late afternoon / evening, as I think all the moving about today has really taken it out of her. Poor woman hardly has a moment to herself these days. It's her own fault though - she didn't have to have so many wonderful children.
You are very very wonderful children .A real credit to your parents .Keep smiling and enveloping your Mum with all that love xxxx
ReplyDeleteGood to hear Jill got outside in that lovely sunshine, where she loves to be. Thanks Dan for keeping us up to date. Thinking of you all and sending you much love xx
ReplyDeleteSorry Tom, it was your update x
DeleteI await your blogs and hang on your every word as it is as close to Jill as I can get. I've sent some photos to her via WhatsApp.... I'd love to be a fly on the wall when she sees one or two of the 'funnies' I've included. Lots of love to you all. You're doing really well. Jill (Yaxley)
ReplyDeleteYes Tom, we all know how good you are at finding those photos one would prefer the world not to see!!! So glad you can all be there together. You lot would not be you lot without the slightly disturbing Luce humour! Huge love and hugs from Gary and I, and the 4 Herberts xxxx
ReplyDeleteSuch an incredibly close and inspirational family. You are all a credit to your mum and dad. Thinking of you all and sending loadsalove xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update Tom. There are some photos you save for the select few to see. I'd be interested to see the one Lorianne is refering to though!😉😂😂😂
ReplyDeleteThinking of you all. X