Been a good day today. There's been ups and downs but all in all, a good day.
Sandy manage to get sleep through to about half eight when the Katherine from SilverChain showed up. In the middle of us deciding not to wake her to adjust her position, she popped her head up and took over the decision - typical!
After a fair amount of settling she's back in a sleeping pose and happily resting.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
All hands
There's been a great group of supporting people keeping the house buzzing and working.
There's been a couple of errand runs to the bottle shop, Melanie is on her way now, Rick did a run last night.
Pete Kirby, Jamie and Katrina were busy today in the sunshine doing a bit of a yard clean up. I think the comment when clearing out the gutters was "Where do you want this bit of garden?" as they took out the growing moss and greenery.
Lee, Denise Munro and Peggy have been busy providing much needed support to everyone with back rubs and massages.
After time with Sandy today, Rick is taking Jaala-Jade and Alexander to visit Grandpa who's stuck in Fremantle hospital with a mending hip. They are then going to see Grandma at the Rapanaros' as she's with Tony.
Denise Stone has been the meal queen, pulling together a lunch, dinner or anything with love and help from Katrina and Chris Cairns. Thanks to all the food that everyone has been secretly putting in fridges, bench's and cupboards.
Tony has cooked us up a huge bowl of pasta for everyone, and we all know how fast his pasta goes!
Singing! My has there been singing at this place. Sandy is being serenaded by three lovely ladies singing like angels. Mil, Melanie and Peg are three talented and wonderful ladies.
There's been a couple of errand runs to the bottle shop, Melanie is on her way now, Rick did a run last night.
Pete Kirby, Jamie and Katrina were busy today in the sunshine doing a bit of a yard clean up. I think the comment when clearing out the gutters was "Where do you want this bit of garden?" as they took out the growing moss and greenery.
Lee, Denise Munro and Peggy have been busy providing much needed support to everyone with back rubs and massages.
After time with Sandy today, Rick is taking Jaala-Jade and Alexander to visit Grandpa who's stuck in Fremantle hospital with a mending hip. They are then going to see Grandma at the Rapanaros' as she's with Tony.
Denise Stone has been the meal queen, pulling together a lunch, dinner or anything with love and help from Katrina and Chris Cairns. Thanks to all the food that everyone has been secretly putting in fridges, bench's and cupboards.
Tony has cooked us up a huge bowl of pasta for everyone, and we all know how fast his pasta goes!
Singing! My has there been singing at this place. Sandy is being serenaded by three lovely ladies singing like angels. Mil, Melanie and Peg are three talented and wonderful ladies.
Breathing strong
Sandy has manages to get some sleep, with the help of the SilverChain nurse. She's comforted with one or two visitors who are sitting quitely (no talking remember).
Her breathing is strong and deep. There's no distress now she's settled.
Her breathing is strong and deep. There's no distress now she's settled.
Rememberances
There's been so many nice and interesting things said around Sandy at the moment that we thought it would be nice to share some of them with you here.
Little Rick
Sandy "Oh Richard, such a nice kind boy." to Richard (nephew) who then stood over Sandy and gave a great big hug and held her.
MaggieMay
Sandy "Oh Maggie can we play play"
Margie "We will always play play, we'll never stop playing"
Tutu
Sandy "Take it off..."
Donna "take what off?"
Sandy "Your tutu - take your tutu off."
The Book
Every visitor that arrived on Wednesday was instructed to view the Book. Sandy has been working on a pair of scrap books for the grandchildren, it's all but finished and shows many photos of family over the generations and memories for Matthew and Nathan.
What's been nicked!
Late last night Sandy was eager to get out of bed. When asked why she needed to get up she replied "I have to go and walk around the house to see if anything's been stolen!"
If you have any anecdotes or stories about Sandy that you would like to share, please add them to the comments or email David or Sandy and I'll post them up for you.
Little Rick
Sandy "Oh Richard, such a nice kind boy." to Richard (nephew) who then stood over Sandy and gave a great big hug and held her.
MaggieMay
Sandy "Oh Maggie can we play play"
Margie "We will always play play, we'll never stop playing"
Tutu
Sandy "Take it off..."
Donna "take what off?"
Sandy "Your tutu - take your tutu off."
The Book
Every visitor that arrived on Wednesday was instructed to view the Book. Sandy has been working on a pair of scrap books for the grandchildren, it's all but finished and shows many photos of family over the generations and memories for Matthew and Nathan.
What's been nicked!
Late last night Sandy was eager to get out of bed. When asked why she needed to get up she replied "I have to go and walk around the house to see if anything's been stolen!"
If you have any anecdotes or stories about Sandy that you would like to share, please add them to the comments or email David or Sandy and I'll post them up for you.
LETTING GO
Lovely Lois from Silver Chain now here with Sandy again. Earlier today Lois put in a sub cutaneous point of entry with a pain management pump so that Sandy didn't need to struggle wtih taking orally any more of the pill cocktails helping her through this.
Sandy has been experiencing more difficulty with her breathing and Lois is now preparing a fast acting sedative, to be followed by a slow acting sedative so as to help Sandy settle and to be as comfortable as possible as she prepares for this final stage.
Sandy, unable earlier to do anything other than try and respond to everything that she hears, has just requested no more talking. She is content to be surrounded by love in silence.
This is obviously not such an easy thing to do - to let go.
Thankyou for sending her your goodbyes.
Sandy has been experiencing more difficulty with her breathing and Lois is now preparing a fast acting sedative, to be followed by a slow acting sedative so as to help Sandy settle and to be as comfortable as possible as she prepares for this final stage.
Sandy, unable earlier to do anything other than try and respond to everything that she hears, has just requested no more talking. She is content to be surrounded by love in silence.
This is obviously not such an easy thing to do - to let go.
Thankyou for sending her your goodbyes.
No more pills!
The nurse has given Mum a sub-cutenious needle so that she now has methodone on a constant flow. This will mean she is sleeping more but won't be in as much pain. The big thing is there's no more annoying people waking her up to feed her a dose of pills, much relief for Sandy.
People are arriving again.
People are arriving again.
Feeling very loved
Medicine having desired effect. Sandy calmer and less distressed. Lee arrived with pastries, Sandy commented is it a picnic day? Is very aware of what colours people are wearing. Doesn't like brown, brighter colours are preferred for us while she is choosing white for herself.
She is glad to know Jamie is caring for their Dad. Helene is with Tony as Marg and Donna are here.
Thursday night with a sip of champagne Sandy declared "I feel so full of love I could explode". She is appreciating the love of her children, siblings, family and friends and is welcoming all messages of love received from you.
She is glad to know Jamie is caring for their Dad. Helene is with Tony as Marg and Donna are here.
Thursday night with a sip of champagne Sandy declared "I feel so full of love I could explode". She is appreciating the love of her children, siblings, family and friends and is welcoming all messages of love received from you.
Morning arrives
Sandy had a good few hours sleep last night - once she settled. Waking at 4am to Mil, Denise and Cathy's care and attention. A few more hours rest before everyone else arose.
Feeling a bit discontent with still being here this morning, she keeps asking why she's still here and apologises for wasting everyone's time. Silly lady!
Managed to get some more medicine into her this morning and she's settling again.
Feeling a bit discontent with still being here this morning, she keeps asking why she's still here and apologises for wasting everyone's time. Silly lady!
Managed to get some more medicine into her this morning and she's settling again.
Sleeping at last
After much coughing and distress, Sandy has fallen asleep and is snoring effortlessly.
Everyone here has found a bed and is getting some rest. All is quiet apart from the comforting sound of the oxygen machine in the hallway.
Everyone here has found a bed and is getting some rest. All is quiet apart from the comforting sound of the oxygen machine in the hallway.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tough night
It looks like it's a bit of a difficult night. Sandy's having trouble stopping coughing long enough to get to sleep. Hopefully she'll be tired enough to sleep regardless soon.
Exhausing day
Coming to the end of a long day of visitors, Sandy is doing well.
It's so very exhausting having so many loving visitors and you have to perk up for them all. This means there's lots of sleeping to be had at every chance you can get. Thankfully the new bed is being of some help in this matter and after much repositioning a comfortable spot can be found.
Going to be a long night, but there will be lots of hands on deck.
It's so very exhausting having so many loving visitors and you have to perk up for them all. This means there's lots of sleeping to be had at every chance you can get. Thankfully the new bed is being of some help in this matter and after much repositioning a comfortable spot can be found.
Going to be a long night, but there will be lots of hands on deck.
Alert and well
After her big sleep at lunch time, Sandy is now alert and providing comments on everything.
Big smiles
Sandy has woken up and is quite alert now. She's being entertained by siblings, children, neices and nephews. Eager to let everyone know how absolutely wonderful they all are.
Arrived
Fresh in from the airport Cathy and Donna have arrived to big smiles and messages from the young grandchildren.
Having a snooze
Having a bit of a sleep at the moment, but happily surrounded by a few family and friends.
Nephew Rick arrived on the way to the airport. He's off to collect Cathy and Donna who are flying in from Albury/Wodonga. The plane is delayed but the should be here soon after 2 o'clock. Will be really nice for Sandy and Cathy to see each other again.
Unfortunately the grandkids couldn't be organised to come at such short notice.
Nephew Rick arrived on the way to the airport. He's off to collect Cathy and Donna who are flying in from Albury/Wodonga. The plane is delayed but the should be here soon after 2 o'clock. Will be really nice for Sandy and Cathy to see each other again.
Unfortunately the grandkids couldn't be organised to come at such short notice.
New Bed Arriving
A new bed for Sandy has arrived so that she can sleep more comfortably. This will hopefully give her a more comfortable nights sleep.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Progress update
Sandy is in good mind and not too much pain.
Not having a lot of luck staying awake and focused for more than a few minutes, but she is reacting well to all her visitors.
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