[stanford_status] Jan 10, Wed - Some good days

[John R Larsen]

Hello Everyone,

Stanford's next chemo appointment (round 5 of gemcitabine) is 
scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, Jan 11th, Thursday.

Stanford has been having good days since my last update of Jan 7th.  
He hasn't needed any break through pain medication at all.  In 
previous weeks he often had pain in his right shoulder and right 
side.  For several days he hasn't noticed any pain in his side and 
any shoulder pain has been ositional, which has gone away by 
shifting position.  The hospice nurse came yesterday and I asked her 
to evaluate the white's of his eyes.  She said his eyes look clear 
to her.  The yellowish tint is no longer there.  His skin also seems 
less yellow to me and Joyce.

Stanford has had longer periods of alert time and has been sleeping 
better the last couple of nights.  His appetite is good, but his 
stomach still can't hold much so he eats small amounts.  He gets 
queasy after some types of food, but hasn't thrown up at all and the 
feeling eventually passes.  Swelling is still an issue and his legs 
and groin still have lots of extra fluid.  He needs support walking 
around.  His energy level is up some, but he is still very weak.  He 
had a shower yesterday, which requires someone in the shower to help 
him (me), but he loved soaking in the warm water for almost an hour.

The skin on his back is really fragile from being in bed all the 
time.  I didn't realize how fragile it is until Monday when he asked 
me to scratch his back through his shirt.  I scratched with my 
normal pressure, but it was too vigorous for his skin, and now he 
has bruises all over his back.  I felt terrible about it, but he 
said not to worry and that he can't feel it at all.

Stanford is interested in getting a walker so that he can walk 
around the house on his own.  The massage therapist/nurse came today 
and said that someone from OT or PT will need to come to the house 
to evaluate the situation.  Hopefully that will happen soon.

Positive signs always help us feel optimistic.  We continue to hope 
and pray and know that the Lord can do all things.  We thank you for 
your continued encouragement, support, and prayers.

John

_______________________________________________________
John R Larsen <john at larsen-family.us>
http://larsen-family.us