We took delivery of a nebulizer machine to give Joe breathing treatments when the coughing becomes too much. We also have a suction machine to help rid Joe of the stuff he can't quite cough up. Fortunately, the nebulizer is helping to loosen the secretions and I haven't yet had to use the suction machine. I'm not looking forward to having to use the suction machine.
Thursday:
Our day shifter today was our friend, Pat. Joe continues to wake fairly early, has breakfast, his meds and then watches a little TV before taking a power nap. Joe's breakfast is fairly small...usually a very small cup of cereal and either jello with fruit, tapioca or yogurt. He's trying to eat, but he always feels full. As you can see from pics posted with his visitors, Joe continues to lose weight.
Wilma (hospice aid) came by in the afternoon to bathe Joe. Our brother-in-law, Jeff, cut the grass for us. Ever since the lawn service company put down the weed and feed and we've been getting the rain, the grass has just taken off. This makes for quite a job keeping the grass cut. We use a mulching mower, so the job is really a big one. We can't thank Jeff enough for handling this huge job for us right now. Thank you so much! Dave B. (Elder Class of '79) came by after work to visit Joe, and stopped by the grocery store pick up some Yoplait yogurts. My sister, Jenny, and her son, Erik, came by to visit. Mike W. (Elder Class of '79) and his wife, Tina, also came by to visit with Joe. They told us about another Elder grad, a few years behind Joe, who was also diagnosed with ALS last year.
Friday:
Today's day shifter was our friend, Bob, (and later, Becca, when he had to leave) who helped me deal with AAA who had to come and unlock our Camry that was stuck in the garage. Somehow, the security system malfunctioned and it locked all the doors. The key fob that we use to unlock the car was not working, and for some reason none of the keys will open the door locks. AAA tech unlocked the door and said most likely the security system was the problem and to take it to the dealership for service. Bob suggested we keep all the windows down, just in case. We needed to get that car out of the garage because it was blocking the mower, which I had to move outside so the tech could come and change the belt that got shredded the other day.
Amber (hospice aid) and her trainee, Christine, came to bathe and shave Joe right after breakfast. He enjoys those baths, but they always tire him out. Afterward, Joe took another one of his power naps, so Bob didn't really have to do much for Joe, but he helped me quite a bit, by helping to fold the laundry, which was greatly appreciated.
Later in the day, Jack W. (Elder Class of '79) stopped by to drop off a dinner (thanks!), but he couldn't visit because Joe was sleeping. Early evening, Donna D. and Judy B. (both OLV grade school classmates), came by to reminisce about the old days and brought several class pictures.
We are thankful for the many blessings we have from all the love and support of our friends and family!
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