Re: Glenn update...11/20/05

[Guest guest]

Donelle:

Please take care of your stomach problems. Also, it is not normal to lose

30 pounds so quickly. I understand you are in pain but you have to stay

healthy and strong or you can't help Glenn or yourself. Please go to your

doctor

and tell him about you stomach and weight loss. Please.

[Guest guest]

Good to hear from you Donelle. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you

and Glenn and wonder how it is going. I miss your posts but know that you

have to work, and whatever spare time you have you want to spend with Glenn

.. I am so glad that he decided to call his brother and hope too that his sis

will come as well.

Sounds like Hospice has their part under control and know that makes it a

lot easier on you. Heck of a way to lose weight. Not the recommended type

of diet but one little good thing. LOL.. Take care and keep us posted. Big

Hugs and Prayers Jolene

_____

[Guest guest]

Lydia is right Donelle. You need to get something for your tummy, you don't

need an ulcer right now. Take care of yourself too.. Hugs Jolene

Re: Glenn update...11/20/05

Dearest Donelle,

I am so happy for the fact that Glenn finally wants to see his family, and

I hope that after all, he'll want to see his sister too.

Hve you got a film of him. I bet you do, especially from your travels,

right?

Dear Donelle, I am very worried about you. You should see a doctor. Maybe

he can give you some drops for you to relax and don't have tummy problems.

You must look after yourself.

All my love and prayers so the family reunion goes well, including .

A big and warm hug,

Lydia

_____

[Guest guest]

>>>Enjoy and give

thanks for each day we've been given and we will, too!!!

Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

Caregiver to Glenn

>>>

I sit here this morning reading your update and my heart goes out to you both.

I just don't have the words right now, but please know that you and Glenn are in

my prayers day and night.

Love to you,

nancy j

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[Guest guest]

Donelle,

You have my thoughts and prayers at such a difficult time. It's bittersweet

to have him still her to celebrate, knowing that he's slipping away. I admire

your courage and strength. If you have things you want to say but can't get

them out, write him a letter and leave it for him to read when you're not there.

Hospice must be such a relief for you, knowing he's in good hands and not

alone. I'm also really glad he's decided to make peace with his family. It's

important for all of them. Carry on, dear friend, and take what comes each day.

I'm praying for peace for you.

Grandmommyandme@... wrote:

Good morning to all our friends and family...

First of all, thank you to all who have called, visited, brought food, sent

cards, emails, positive thoughts and prayers....one of those prayers has been

answered. And, I'm feeling so grateful today. Glenn has been agonizing

silently, deep within, (my opinion) for quite a while, but more so the last

week, about the situation with his Mom and brother (ILL) and sister (TX). Out

of the blue, he quietly said, " I think I should call Dennis and let them come "

and I quietly said, " I think you should and hopefully, unburden your heart " .

He immediately called his brother last night and told him to come and bring

his Mom...didn't call his Mom....told Dennis to do it for him. But, would

not agree for to come... I hope she comes anyway. With Glenn, there is no

" gray " , it's either " black " or " white " ...right or wrong. He doesn't agree

with 's life-style, simply put. But I'm still working slowly on him about

this...he really has no right to judge and she is his sister. His Mom had

sent me a check, unbeknownst to Glenn, to help out with expenses... I'm so glad

I didn't tell him about it BEFORE he made this decision. At least I know

the decision came from his heart and not out of a feeling of obligation. I'm

very relieved about this...and just pray he doesn't change his mind again. I

had asked her to make copies of any childhood photos she or Dennis have or

scan them and email them to me...I wanted to try that tactic, thinking

childhood memories would jog his heart. I still want the photos, as I'm

attempting

to gather things for a scrapbook for his son and daughter.

Health-wise...what health?? LOL I've lost almost 30 lbs., which won't hurt

me a bit, btw...in the last couple months. First of all, Glenn is not

cooking and 2nd, I'm having some tummy problems, which I'm sure are

stress-related

and just plain being heart-broken and sad. Glenn is just plain tired and

so very weak, sleeping a lot, which will just increase as time goes on. Some

times, his voice is but a whisper...or nothing comes out at all. But, thank

God, he's not suffering daily with any pain...the pain patch is working

marvelously. And whenever there is break-through pain of any kind, I give him

an

oxycodone. His color is, as Narice calls it, a golden glow. He has days

where he's very lightheaded all day long. Yesterday was one, again. I

checked

his b/p (82/54...low but has been running low for a while), blood sugar

(116...never ever that low before) and temp. All were fine, so just started

forcing salt, water and gatorade, b/c of the diarrhea. His appetite is great,

he

eats anything he wants, even knowing there might be diarrhea repercussions,

which he has anyway. The " bruising " marks we talked about before caused by

the liver not functioning properly are now all over both arms, shoulders and

back with some on his knees and upper thigh. He itches all the time (part of

the progression) and when he scratches, the " bruising " bleeds, even if he

just uses his fingertips and not nails. Dr. prescribed a Sarna Lotion, which

Hospice brought last week and Benadryl for the itching...the lotion helps, but

he had an adverse reaction to the Benadryl of stomach irritation, so we

stopped that and the pain is gone.

For those that asked, we prepared a Will, DNR, Medical Directives and all

that stuff 2 yrs. ago...so that's all taken care of. I've verified with

Arlington that he is eligible, just for his knowledge and comfort.

Hospice is great so far...comfort, physically, emotionally and mentally, is

the name of the game. Nurse comes on Mondays to check vitals, fix a light

lunch for him, etc. and Social Worker is coming one day a week to help Glenn

get some memories recorded on tape, so I don't have to write it all down... he

may be more open with her than me, too, about some things. Bath Aide is

coming one day a week, fix a light lunch and just to be here while he showers,

if he wants to that day, but mostly just to get to know her, so he's

comfortable with her when the time comes she is needed. She will also change

the

sheets, if need be. A volunteer will come one day, fix a light lunch for him

and just sit and talk with him or watch TV or just " be " with him for a couple

hrs (on a day I'm working). I'm working from home on Tues. now and off Fri.

Sat. and Sun. So, at least for now, he'll be given lunch and fluids at least

once a day, while I'm gone to work, on those days that he's in bed all day

long...

It is definitely the proverbial " roller coaster " ride these days...running

the gambit on emotions. All I can do for him is try to make him comfortable

and let him know I love him and God loves him. Anything more than that

becomes too emotional for me to handle without tears...and there are things I

want

to say and things I want him to say...but most have all been said somewhere

along the way in the last 6 yrs.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving...My sister is bringing us dinner

and I'll cook a turkey, so we have the smell of Thanksgiving going on...and

lots of turkey sandwiches to enjoy..yummy!! Guess I'll have to make a

pumpkin pie, too!! Can't have thanksgiving without pumpkin pie!!! Enjoy and

give

thanks for each day we've been given and we will, too!!!

Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

Caregiver to Glenn

[Guest guest]

Donelle,

I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. I hope Glenn's visit

with his family gives them all some peace and happiness. I'm not sure why he is

unable to see his sister or what life-style you mean, but I think I have a

pretty good idea and if I'm right, I know from experience that if he loved who

she was before then he hopefully can remember she is that same person.

Happy Thanksgiving,

[Guest guest]

Oh Donnelle, your strength and beauty reached out grabbed me right by the

throat. You truly are Glenn's angel and while reading your note about Glenn I

was filled with the words of the opening hymn we sing in our church which is

Surely the Presence of the Lord <is in your place>.

Once again you have helped me pull myself up by the bootstraps so I can continue

getting on with things. I had monster meltdown yesterday and couldn't even

drive my car I was out of antianxiety medicine and for two days I have had the

shakes, tears and falling apart.

Remember my daughter who I was enjoying for a rare month - well she has now

abandoned me.

I know that these are not big problems, nevertheless,they hurt.

Prayers,

Karima

Glenn update...11/20/05

Good morning to all our friends and family...

First of all, thank you to all who have called, visited, brought food, sent

cards, emails, positive thoughts and prayers....one of those prayers has been

answered. And, I'm feeling so grateful today. Glenn has been agonizing

silently, deep within, (my opinion) for quite a while, but more so the last

week, about the situation with his Mom and brother (ILL) and sister (TX).

Out

of the blue, he quietly said, " I think I should call Dennis and let them

come "

and I quietly said, " I think you should and hopefully, unburden your heart " .

He immediately called his brother last night and told him to come and bring

his Mom...didn't call his Mom....told Dennis to do it for him. But, would

not agree for to come... I hope she comes anyway. With Glenn, there is

no

" gray " , it's either " black " or " white " ...right or wrong. He doesn't agree

with 's life-style, simply put. But I'm still working slowly on him

about

this...he really has no right to judge and she is his sister. His Mom had

sent me a check, unbeknownst to Glenn, to help out with expenses... I'm so

glad

I didn't tell him about it BEFORE he made this decision. At least I know

the decision came from his heart and not out of a feeling of obligation. I'm

very relieved about this...and just pray he doesn't change his mind again. I

had asked her to make copies of any childhood photos she or Dennis have or

scan them and email them to me...I wanted to try that tactic, thinking

childhood memories would jog his heart. I still want the photos, as I'm

attempting

to gather things for a scrapbook for his son and daughter.

Health-wise...what health?? LOL I've lost almost 30 lbs., which won't hurt

me a bit, btw...in the last couple months. First of all, Glenn is not

cooking and 2nd, I'm having some tummy problems, which I'm sure are

stress-related

and just plain being heart-broken and sad. Glenn is just plain tired and

so very weak, sleeping a lot, which will just increase as time goes on. Some

times, his voice is but a whisper...or nothing comes out at all. But, thank

God, he's not suffering daily with any pain...the pain patch is working

marvelously. And whenever there is break-through pain of any kind, I give

him an

oxycodone. His color is, as Narice calls it, a golden glow. He has days

where he's very lightheaded all day long. Yesterday was one, again. I

checked

his b/p (82/54...low but has been running low for a while), blood sugar

(116...never ever that low before) and temp. All were fine, so just started

forcing salt, water and gatorade, b/c of the diarrhea. His appetite is

great, he

eats anything he wants, even knowing there might be diarrhea repercussions,

which he has anyway. The " bruising " marks we talked about before caused by

the liver not functioning properly are now all over both arms, shoulders and

back with some on his knees and upper thigh. He itches all the time (part of

the progression) and when he scratches, the " bruising " bleeds, even if he

just uses his fingertips and not nails. Dr. prescribed a Sarna Lotion, which

Hospice brought last week and Benadryl for the itching...the lotion helps,

but

he had an adverse reaction to the Benadryl of stomach irritation, so we

stopped that and the pain is gone.

For those that asked, we prepared a Will, DNR, Medical Directives and all

that stuff 2 yrs. ago...so that's all taken care of. I've verified with

Arlington that he is eligible, just for his knowledge and comfort.

Hospice is great so far...comfort, physically, emotionally and mentally, is

the name of the game. Nurse comes on Mondays to check vitals, fix a light

lunch for him, etc. and Social Worker is coming one day a week to help Glenn

get some memories recorded on tape, so I don't have to write it all down...

he

may be more open with her than me, too, about some things. Bath Aide is

coming one day a week, fix a light lunch and just to be here while he

showers,

if he wants to that day, but mostly just to get to know her, so he's

comfortable with her when the time comes she is needed. She will also change

the

sheets, if need be. A volunteer will come one day, fix a light lunch for

him

and just sit and talk with him or watch TV or just " be " with him for a couple

hrs (on a day I'm working). I'm working from home on Tues. now and off Fri.

Sat. and Sun. So, at least for now, he'll be given lunch and fluids at least

once a day, while I'm gone to work, on those days that he's in bed all day

long...

It is definitely the proverbial " roller coaster " ride these days...running

the gambit on emotions. All I can do for him is try to make him comfortable

and let him know I love him and God loves him. Anything more than that

becomes too emotional for me to handle without tears...and there are things I

want

to say and things I want him to say...but most have all been said somewhere

along the way in the last 6 yrs.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving...My sister is bringing us dinner

and I'll cook a turkey, so we have the smell of Thanksgiving going on...and

lots of turkey sandwiches to enjoy..yummy!! Guess I'll have to make a

pumpkin pie, too!! Can't have thanksgiving without pumpkin pie!!! Enjoy and

give

thanks for each day we've been given and we will, too!!!

Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

Caregiver to Glenn

[Guest guest]

Good morning, Donelle. My prayers are with you and Glenn. I know you are not

thinking of yourself too much, only of him. But please see the doctor about the

tummy. If you have a touch of something, you can catch whatever it is before it

gets worse. Maybe it is stress, but maybe it is the irritation that begins an

ulcer. I certainly hope not. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of

Glenn.

I know it is hectic these days before Thanksgiving, so you don't need to

answer this message. Just remember that we are all praying and hope you have

that family reunion very soon. God bless.

Love,

Deb

Grandmommyandme@... wrote: Good morning to all our friends and family...

First of all, thank you to all who have called, visited, brought food, sent

cards, emails, positive thoughts and prayers....one of those prayers has been

answered. And, I'm feeling so grateful today. Glenn has been agonizing

silently, deep within, (my opinion) for quite a while, but more so the last

week, about the situation with his Mom and brother (ILL) and sister (TX). Out

of the blue, he quietly said, " I think I should call Dennis and let them come "

and I quietly said, " I think you should and hopefully, unburden your heart " .

He immediately called his brother last night and told him to come and bring

his Mom...didn't call his Mom....told Dennis to do it for him. But, would

not agree for to come... I hope she comes anyway. With Glenn, there is no

" gray " , it's either " black " or " white " ...right or wrong. He doesn't agree

with 's life-style, simply put. But I'm still working slowly on him about

this...he really has no right to judge and she is his sister. His Mom had

sent me a check, unbeknownst to Glenn, to help out with expenses... I'm so glad

I didn't tell him about it BEFORE he made this decision. At least I know

the decision came from his heart and not out of a feeling of obligation. I'm

very relieved about this...and just pray he doesn't change his mind again. I

had asked her to make copies of any childhood photos she or Dennis have or

scan them and email them to me...I wanted to try that tactic, thinking

childhood memories would jog his heart. I still want the photos, as I'm

attempting

to gather things for a scrapbook for his son and daughter.

Health-wise...what health?? LOL I've lost almost 30 lbs., which won't hurt

me a bit, btw...in the last couple months. First of all, Glenn is not

cooking and 2nd, I'm having some tummy problems, which I'm sure are

stress-related

and just plain being heart-broken and sad. Glenn is just plain tired and

so very weak, sleeping a lot, which will just increase as time goes on. Some

times, his voice is but a whisper...or nothing comes out at all. But, thank

God, he's not suffering daily with any pain...the pain patch is working

marvelously. And whenever there is break-through pain of any kind, I give him

an

oxycodone. His color is, as Narice calls it, a golden glow. He has days

where he's very lightheaded all day long. Yesterday was one, again. I

checked

his b/p (82/54...low but has been running low for a while), blood sugar

(116...never ever that low before) and temp. All were fine, so just started

forcing salt, water and gatorade, b/c of the diarrhea. His appetite is great,

he

eats anything he wants, even knowing there might be diarrhea repercussions,

which he has anyway. The " bruising " marks we talked about before caused by

the liver not functioning properly are now all over both arms, shoulders and

back with some on his knees and upper thigh. He itches all the time (part of

the progression) and when he scratches, the " bruising " bleeds, even if he

just uses his fingertips and not nails. Dr. prescribed a Sarna Lotion, which

Hospice brought last week and Benadryl for the itching...the lotion helps, but

he had an adverse reaction to the Benadryl of stomach irritation, so we

stopped that and the pain is gone.

For those that asked, we prepared a Will, DNR, Medical Directives and all

that stuff 2 yrs. ago...so that's all taken care of. I've verified with

Arlington that he is eligible, just for his knowledge and comfort.

Hospice is great so far...comfort, physically, emotionally and mentally, is

the name of the game. Nurse comes on Mondays to check vitals, fix a light

lunch for him, etc. and Social Worker is coming one day a week to help Glenn

get some memories recorded on tape, so I don't have to write it all down... he

may be more open with her than me, too, about some things. Bath Aide is

coming one day a week, fix a light lunch and just to be here while he showers,

if he wants to that day, but mostly just to get to know her, so he's

comfortable with her when the time comes she is needed. She will also change

the

sheets, if need be. A volunteer will come one day, fix a light lunch for him

and just sit and talk with him or watch TV or just " be " with him for a couple

hrs (on a day I'm working). I'm working from home on Tues. now and off Fri.

Sat. and Sun. So, at least for now, he'll be given lunch and fluids at least

once a day, while I'm gone to work, on those days that he's in bed all day

long...

It is definitely the proverbial " roller coaster " ride these days...running

the gambit on emotions. All I can do for him is try to make him comfortable

and let him know I love him and God loves him. Anything more than that

becomes too emotional for me to handle without tears...and there are things I

want

to say and things I want him to say...but most have all been said somewhere

along the way in the last 6 yrs.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving...My sister is bringing us dinner

and I'll cook a turkey, so we have the smell of Thanksgiving going on...and

lots of turkey sandwiches to enjoy..yummy!! Guess I'll have to make a

pumpkin pie, too!! Can't have thanksgiving without pumpkin pie!!! Enjoy and

give

thanks for each day we've been given and we will, too!!!

Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

Caregiver to Glenn

[Guest guest]

Donelle,

I continue to pray for you and Glenn each day. You are wonderfully

strong, but I know it has to be taking a toll on you.

Hugs from Virginia,

Sharon

>

> Good morning to all our friends and family...

>

> First of all, thank you to all who have called, visited, brought

food, sent

> cards, emails, positive thoughts and prayers....one of those

prayers has been

> answered. And, I'm feeling so grateful today. Glenn has been

agonizing

> silently, deep within, (my opinion) for quite a while, but more

so the last

> week, about the situation with his Mom and brother (ILL) and

sister (TX). Out

> of the blue, he quietly said, " I think I should call Dennis and

let them come "

> and I quietly said, " I think you should and hopefully, unburden

your heart " .

> He immediately called his brother last night and told him to come

and bring

> his Mom...didn't call his Mom....told Dennis to do it for him.

But, would

> not agree for to come... I hope she comes anyway. With

Glenn, there is no

> " gray " , it's either " black " or " white " ...right or wrong. He

doesn't agree

> with 's life-style, simply put. But I'm still working slowly

on him about

> this...he really has no right to judge and she is his sister. His

Mom had

> sent me a check, unbeknownst to Glenn, to help out with

expenses... I'm so glad

> I didn't tell him about it BEFORE he made this decision. At

least I know

> the decision came from his heart and not out of a feeling of

obligation. I'm

> very relieved about this...and just pray he doesn't change his

mind again. I

> had asked her to make copies of any childhood photos she or

Dennis have or

> scan them and email them to me...I wanted to try that tactic,

thinking

> childhood memories would jog his heart. I still want the photos,

as I'm attempting

> to gather things for a scrapbook for his son and daughter.

>

> Health-wise...what health?? LOL I've lost almost 30 lbs., which

won't hurt

> me a bit, btw...in the last couple months. First of all, Glenn

is not

> cooking and 2nd, I'm having some tummy problems, which I'm sure

are stress-related

> and just plain being heart-broken and sad. Glenn is just plain

tired and

> so very weak, sleeping a lot, which will just increase as time

goes on. Some

> times, his voice is but a whisper...or nothing comes out at all.

But, thank

> God, he's not suffering daily with any pain...the pain patch is

working

> marvelously. And whenever there is break-through pain of any

kind, I give him an

> oxycodone. His color is, as Narice calls it, a golden glow. He

has days

> where he's very lightheaded all day long. Yesterday was one,

again. I checked

> his b/p (82/54...low but has been running low for a while), blood

sugar

> (116...never ever that low before) and temp. All were fine, so

just started

> forcing salt, water and gatorade, b/c of the diarrhea. His

appetite is great, he

> eats anything he wants, even knowing there might be diarrhea

repercussions,

> which he has anyway. The " bruising " marks we talked about before

caused by

> the liver not functioning properly are now all over both arms,

shoulders and

> back with some on his knees and upper thigh. He itches all the

time (part of

> the progression) and when he scratches, the " bruising " bleeds,

even if he

> just uses his fingertips and not nails. Dr. prescribed a Sarna

Lotion, which

> Hospice brought last week and Benadryl for the itching...the

lotion helps, but

> he had an adverse reaction to the Benadryl of stomach irritation,

so we

> stopped that and the pain is gone.

>

> For those that asked, we prepared a Will, DNR, Medical Directives

and all

> that stuff 2 yrs. ago...so that's all taken care of. I've

verified with

> Arlington that he is eligible, just for his knowledge and

comfort.

>

> Hospice is great so far...comfort, physically, emotionally and

mentally, is

> the name of the game. Nurse comes on Mondays to check vitals,

fix a light

> lunch for him, etc. and Social Worker is coming one day a week to

help Glenn

> get some memories recorded on tape, so I don't have to write it

all down... he

> may be more open with her than me, too, about some things. Bath

Aide is

> coming one day a week, fix a light lunch and just to be here

while he showers,

> if he wants to that day, but mostly just to get to know her, so

he's

> comfortable with her when the time comes she is needed. She will

also change the

> sheets, if need be. A volunteer will come one day, fix a light

lunch for him

> and just sit and talk with him or watch TV or just " be " with him

for a couple

> hrs (on a day I'm working). I'm working from home on Tues. now

and off Fri.

> Sat. and Sun. So, at least for now, he'll be given lunch and

fluids at least

> once a day, while I'm gone to work, on those days that he's in

bed all day

> long...

>

> It is definitely the proverbial " roller coaster " ride these

days...running

> the gambit on emotions. All I can do for him is try to make him

comfortable

> and let him know I love him and God loves him. Anything more

than that

> becomes too emotional for me to handle without tears...and there

are things I want

> to say and things I want him to say...but most have all been said

somewhere

> along the way in the last 6 yrs.

>

> Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving...My sister is

bringing us dinner

> and I'll cook a turkey, so we have the smell of Thanksgiving

going on...and

> lots of turkey sandwiches to enjoy..yummy!! Guess I'll have to

make a

> pumpkin pie, too!! Can't have thanksgiving without pumpkin

pie!!! Enjoy and give

> thanks for each day we've been given and we will, too!!!

>

> Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

> Caregiver to Glenn

>

>

>