Hello everyone! MaeLynn is still doing about the same. Her pain is under control and she claims she still has more good days than bad. She feels bad for times when people have come to visit and she has been too tired or doped up to have a decent conversation, but she would still love to have people visit her. She told me the other day that about the only people she sees these days are Andy and the hospice nurses....so if anyone gets a moment to drop by and chat for a minute, she'd love that.
She's getting psyched up for her favorite holiday: Halloween! She says, "I don't really dress up, but I did find some fake eyelashes and press-on nails, and I'll probably paint my face." Her kids are excited for their ward carnival and trunk-or-treat. They're going to be quite the entourage: a witch, a mermaid, two Thomas the Trains, and a kangaroo.
Life is a roller coaster and MaeLynn knows that it is for everyone, but she feels like the roller-coaster-effect has been magnified for her lately. She feels blessed to have friends and neighbors helping her out with cleaning, laundry, dishes, etc. Seeing happy shining faces really makes her day!
Here's a thought for the day:
"Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.
“The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride” (“Big Rock Candy Mountains,” Deseret News, 12 June 1973, A4
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
The new shed and new chair...hooray!
I finally got some pictures to post of the shed Andy has built for MaeLynn's "stuff", and MaeLynn in her comfy new recliner. These were taken last Friday...October 15, 2010.
I wish I were better at making the layout more aesthetically pleasing, but oh well. I talked to MaeLynn tonight (October 18th) and she said things are still about the same. Her blood pressure is really low, but she feels okay. She sleeps with oxygen, but doesn't have it on during the day.
MaeLynn is so amazing. Even though she's at where she's at, she's still always thinking of others. The other day she had a birthday gift she was taking to a neighbor. Then she called me to let me know I'd left a jacket at her house. She's just so thoughtful...as always. What an example!
I came across this scripture the other day and it reminded me of MaeLynn: Mosiah 25:14-15 "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patence to all the will of the Lord."
I wish I were better at making the layout more aesthetically pleasing, but oh well. I talked to MaeLynn tonight (October 18th) and she said things are still about the same. Her blood pressure is really low, but she feels okay. She sleeps with oxygen, but doesn't have it on during the day.
MaeLynn is so amazing. Even though she's at where she's at, she's still always thinking of others. The other day she had a birthday gift she was taking to a neighbor. Then she called me to let me know I'd left a jacket at her house. She's just so thoughtful...as always. What an example!
I came across this scripture the other day and it reminded me of MaeLynn: Mosiah 25:14-15 "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patence to all the will of the Lord."
Friday, October 15, 2010
Friday October 15th
Today was a GOOD day for MaeLynn! Yay! Even though her blood pressure is still really low, her oxygen levels were higher today and she didn't need to be on oxygen.
I was able to visit her for awhile and she was up and around the whole time. I told her we could do ANYTHING she wanted, and she decided to work on putting laundry away. Typical mother, right?!
It felt good, though, just to be able to do the mundane. She also directed the moving of her "stuff" out to her shed that Andy has finished. It will be so nice to have her own space to store things. Already, though, Andy is suggesting other things that can go in her shed that she'd rather go in HIS shed. Typical husband :)
Anyway, she wanted me to let everyone know that she's had a good day. Her kids are coming home tonight and they'll have the primary program on Sunday, so that's something to look forward to!
I was able to visit her for awhile and she was up and around the whole time. I told her we could do ANYTHING she wanted, and she decided to work on putting laundry away. Typical mother, right?!
It felt good, though, just to be able to do the mundane. She also directed the moving of her "stuff" out to her shed that Andy has finished. It will be so nice to have her own space to store things. Already, though, Andy is suggesting other things that can go in her shed that she'd rather go in HIS shed. Typical husband :)
Anyway, she wanted me to let everyone know that she's had a good day. Her kids are coming home tonight and they'll have the primary program on Sunday, so that's something to look forward to!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday October 14th
Today was pretty quiet for MaeLynn. With her kids at her mother's and Andy working on her shed, she was able to sleep pretty much all day.
Andy says she doesn't have much of an appetite. She's on oxygen once again, and it seems to be helping a little. I guess her O2 levels have been dropping. When you talk to her she responds, but she falls asleep quickly. She does love sitting in her new comfy recliner! And she's glad Andy is close to finishing her shed.
MaeLynn is so sweet. Even though she's slipping, she brings such a calming presence to the room. We love you Mae!!
Andy says she doesn't have much of an appetite. She's on oxygen once again, and it seems to be helping a little. I guess her O2 levels have been dropping. When you talk to her she responds, but she falls asleep quickly. She does love sitting in her new comfy recliner! And she's glad Andy is close to finishing her shed.
MaeLynn is so sweet. Even though she's slipping, she brings such a calming presence to the room. We love you Mae!!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
October 2010
I'm taking liberties to add this article to the blog. It was just so incredible...about end of life....the perspectives of patients, families, and doctors.
I'm so glad MaeLynn chose hospice. It has been quite the journey. Many of the things that are mentioned in the article are exactly what MaeLynn has gone through or is still going through. Trying to decide what treatment to go with, having people give her all kinds of "treatment" ideas or plans, her and Andy trying to plan for a future without her.
Hopefully everyone else appreciates it as much as I do. (Sorry it's kind of long.)
Hospice medical care for dying patients : The New Yorker
I'm so glad MaeLynn chose hospice. It has been quite the journey. Many of the things that are mentioned in the article are exactly what MaeLynn has gone through or is still going through. Trying to decide what treatment to go with, having people give her all kinds of "treatment" ideas or plans, her and Andy trying to plan for a future without her.
Hopefully everyone else appreciates it as much as I do. (Sorry it's kind of long.)
Hospice medical care for dying patients : The New Yorker
October 13th 2010
Sorry about the "pregnant belly" comment last time. No, Mae is not pregnant, she just looks like it with her giant tumor, Wilma, sticking out.
These last few days have not been so hot for MaeLynn. Andy said that on Monday her blood pressure was pretty low. She's been sleeping alot, and withing the last 48 hours she has started saying delirious things.
When I saw her yesterday she said, "Laura, I can feel myself slipping. Please don't laugh if I say something strange." She hates the fact that her body and brain are doing things she has no control over. Despite the fact, though, she does remain herself...generally happy and sweet.
Her kids will still go to her mother's house for a few days this week, as planned, but MaeLynn and Andrew are going to stay home. Andy doesn't want MaeLynn to have to go anywhere or do anything right now.
Keep them in your prayers--as I'm sure you all do.
These last few days have not been so hot for MaeLynn. Andy said that on Monday her blood pressure was pretty low. She's been sleeping alot, and withing the last 48 hours she has started saying delirious things.
When I saw her yesterday she said, "Laura, I can feel myself slipping. Please don't laugh if I say something strange." She hates the fact that her body and brain are doing things she has no control over. Despite the fact, though, she does remain herself...generally happy and sweet.
Her kids will still go to her mother's house for a few days this week, as planned, but MaeLynn and Andrew are going to stay home. Andy doesn't want MaeLynn to have to go anywhere or do anything right now.
Keep them in your prayers--as I'm sure you all do.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
October 10th 2010
MaeLynn says HI! Actually she said, "Tell them that my big belly and I say HI!"
Having a big "pregnant" belly and nothing exciting to show for it is pretty frustrating...but MaeLynn continues to be positive and just keeps truckin'. Some days are better than others.
She says she feels about the same week to week. To me, though, it seems like she's slowed down lately, though. Her speech stays normal, but her movements are quite slow, and she has to try REALLY hard to keep her eyes open throughout the day. If she sits down, even for a moment, it's very possible she'll fall asleep.
The good news is that Andy's almost done with MaeLynn's shed! Yay! Hopefully next time I'll have a picture of it. She's excited to get her art stuff out of the kitchen, bedrooms, etc.
Andy's also gotten really busy lately trapping beavers and other animals. He calls it his "job", but he enjoys it way too much to call it that :) The kids have had a great time going out with him to check his traps a few days a week.
This next week the whole family will take a little trip to Grandma and Grandpa Katchner's house in Salt Lake since it's UEA. MaeLynn's hoping it will not be too stressful, but my guess is that her saintly mother will just let her sleep all day....so no worries for MaeLynn, right?
I guess the next fun scheduled is Halloween...so till then, that's all for now folks!
Having a big "pregnant" belly and nothing exciting to show for it is pretty frustrating...but MaeLynn continues to be positive and just keeps truckin'. Some days are better than others.
She says she feels about the same week to week. To me, though, it seems like she's slowed down lately, though. Her speech stays normal, but her movements are quite slow, and she has to try REALLY hard to keep her eyes open throughout the day. If she sits down, even for a moment, it's very possible she'll fall asleep.
The good news is that Andy's almost done with MaeLynn's shed! Yay! Hopefully next time I'll have a picture of it. She's excited to get her art stuff out of the kitchen, bedrooms, etc.
Andy's also gotten really busy lately trapping beavers and other animals. He calls it his "job", but he enjoys it way too much to call it that :) The kids have had a great time going out with him to check his traps a few days a week.
This next week the whole family will take a little trip to Grandma and Grandpa Katchner's house in Salt Lake since it's UEA. MaeLynn's hoping it will not be too stressful, but my guess is that her saintly mother will just let her sleep all day....so no worries for MaeLynn, right?
I guess the next fun scheduled is Halloween...so till then, that's all for now folks!
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