The good, the bad & the ugly

Canberra, Australia snusher@gmail.com

Message from Lynne

The swelling in Peter's stomach, feet and ankles does not seem to have changed much, but the blotchy skin rash on one foot & a hand seems a bit less red and pronounced. Peter had a difficult night on Monday, a night nurse call out before midnight for an injection. We do not think that morphine is agreeing with Peter. He was awake at 3.00am and had 3 break thru endones by 7.00 am. He was exhausted by the morning, looking so frail and tired. The day that followed was a delight!


Such a contrast day from the previous night for Tuesday!  The Palliative Care Support team had organised for us both to have a massage at home yesterday. The skilled Dinka with her portable massage table and magical hands arrived during the morning.  There was a relaxing massage for us both and we have another one booked in for next week.  A treat to be looked forward to!

Pall Care have arranged for a volunteer to come and spend a couple of hours with Peter on a Tuesday, and in the afternoon Patrick Shanahan came to see us.  He has been a volunteer with the Pall Care support team for 6 years, and is already assisting another man living in the community.  He and Peter found many areas of mutual interest and I left them chatting while I went to the Canberra Christian Life Centre for a couple of hours.  I have been a volunteer there for a couple of years doing admin work on their computer system & I am training another lady to take over from me.  Patrick will now come regularly on a Tuesday afternoon.

Another terrible night with Peter awake again at 3.00am and then dozing.  Pain began at 4.30am and he took an Endone for break thru pain at 6.00 am and vomited at 6.20 am.  Another endone at 6.35 am and he is sleeping now.  We are due our regular weekly visit from Sally, the Pall care nurse today. We will ask for Peter's medication to be reviewed again.  Pain continues on a nightly basis - he has had so many unbearably long difficult nights.  Also the swelling & dark urine need to be addressed.

Yesterday a welcome call from our daughter, Juliet in Melbourne.  Her partner leaves for overseas tomorrow & she is booking her travel to see us 16-19 July.  Seeing both J's a week apart will be a joy!  Our thanks for all your prayers, love & concern for us.  I'm sure you quite understand when sometimes Peter is unable to speak on the phone now, he is too tired. You can be sure that all messages find there way to him, via email or phone.