October 8 , 2010

Hello everyone ! I hope this finds all of you well. I know I have not posted an update on dad for a little while. We have been settling into a good schedule and things are going well. Hospice comes 3 times a week to bath dad. Also the hospice nurse comes once or twice a week to check on Dad and do his vitals etc. and about every other week the Hospice psychologist comes to see him and me.

Dad has had some decline but as the Hospice nurse told me it is to be expected. Not form any thing I have done but it is just the disease. She suspects dad will no longer be eating within the next few weeks. just from symptoms he is having and how it is getting so hard for him to swallow anything. It is always a hard swallow. he is getting more rigid and this makes it harder to move him around and dress. as of right now his lungs still sound clear and his belly sounds good. his blood pressure is good today. his kidney function is good. his weight is down to 147.4 as of yesterday even though he is eating very well. in fact he eats almost as much as Eric does.

The Hospice nurse and case worker said if anybody would like to talk to her about Dad that you can call her any time She would love to answer any questions and concerns you might have. Her name is Lynn Fecht and the Carthage Hospice number is 217-357-3222 Quincy number is 1-877-627-7610 just ask for her and they will probably send you to her voice mail just leave a message and she will call you back. as well as the psychologist is there for any of the family members for counseling or just a listening ear there is no charge for her services.

attached you will see pictures of the room where Dad's bed is and just a few other shots. Our cat Mr. Tickles who drools when he is happy and content, a flower, and a picture of our Dog Dipper who we had to put to sleep last month. He was about 10 years and had congestive heart failure and a huge mass in his chest cavity the vet said was probably cancer. We Love you and will miss you Dipper.

I love you all so much and want you to know I am giving Dad the best care possible.

Jo Ellen