What's been happening in my life (Beth's Story)

[Uncle Bob]

Hey Beth..Happy Anniversary (belated) and Happy Birthday to DH ! ~~ That's enough "flavoring wood" for a couple train loads of pork ribs, butts, chickens, etc!! ~~~ How is your blood pressure??? Getting it under control???

 

[bethzaring]

Well, Uncle Bob, I take my blood pressure reading every day and record them for my doctor. This morning is was 165/94 with a heart rate of 53. Don't know if that is under control but I suspect it is not. My medicine dosage was doubled a few weeks ago and my next appt. is in two weeks. My stress level remains high and I think it will get worse.

Rich thinks he is living on borrowed time right now. We believe one of two things could cause his death; the tumor growing and causing an obstruction so he can't swallow any food or water, or he will stop eating because eating is too difficult. He had reached the point of wanting to stop eating in June, right after our trip to Fallingwater. He then tried all the medicines that Hospice had provided in their "comfort pack". Nothing worked, until he tried the last med which was morphine. The morphine actually allows him to eat something, about 95% of the time. Right now he is eating 3 to 4 times a day. Breakfasts are usually trouble free but he is using the morphine to help him eat the other two meals every day. He naps daily and lays down after eating until his stomach settles down. He is slowly losing weight. We watch movies almost every night while he tries to eat dinner. We received a new flat screen TV for his birthday!

His attitude remains cheerful. He still has projects he is working on. Currently he is planing lumber to replace some rotting boards/siding on the barn. And he is considering removing and replacing the overgrown juniper bushes in front of the house.

I am exploring cancer support groups online and they are just heartbreaking and interesting to read. I have learned that we never went through a denial phase, and that I am not alone at all!

This photo was taken a few days ago at a friends house/barn.

 

[licia]

Beth, Just remember we are thinking of you and dh and keeping you in our prayers. I'm sure this is a terribly difficult thing to be dealing with now. I certainly hope the support group is helpful.

 

[ChefJune]

Dear Beth:

Still sending lots of prayers for both of you.

 

[bethzaring]

I did something for dh's birthday that worked out very well. About one month before his birthday, I sent out an email to family and friends asking them to write dh a letter, explaining what effect he has had on their lives. My intent was to collect them and give them to him on his birthday. But the letters started coming in right away. So I gave them to him as they arrived. He has received 28 so far and he is making comments like I was at the beginning of this thread; they can't possibly be talking about him.

Thank you all for the prayers and good vibes..

 

[Uncle Bob]

Well now....Double Bonus Points for you Miss Beth!!!~~ What a great idea that was!!....I know his heart was/is overflowing...knowing/realizing he has touched so many lives in so many positive ways...What a beautiful gift!!

{{{{{{Miss Beth}}}}}}

 

[Chrissy13]

Hi Beth, I don't know you, but I just want to say that I am very sad after reading this and will keep you in my prayers. God is with Rich and all of you ALWAYS. Stay positive!

 

[Uncle Bob]

Morning Miss Beth...

Woke up this morning thinking about y'all...Wondering if fall weather was in progress up there...It is so blasted hot here, and locally dry. We did have a couple of days that were nice...not so hot and low humility...it felt soooooo good!! Can't wait for cooler weather...Maybe then I can get out into my shop and clean it up...What a mess...So disorganized ~~~ Anyway, just wanted to say hi and let y'all know we are thinking of you!!

 

[ChefJune]

You've been on my mind, too, Beth. Hope everything is okay.

 

[bethzaring]

Thanks for the thoughts, all. Kinda keeping a low profile now. Still having a problem getting friends to respect our desire for no visitors. Dh is only trying to eat 3 meals a day and not being successful at the supper meal. He can eat ice cream and I have been whipping up a fortified product that he likes; Breyers vanilla ice cream, instant breakfast, and a product called benecalorie, all mixed together. He tolerates scrambled eggs and ham and I mix in the benecalorie to that too. He is up early most days and still doing projects around the house and barn. He now has pain, this is new. The pain is in his stomach and it is controlled by the morphine. He is never without his little bottle of morphine. The pain can be quite intense. He still has a positive attitude.

I am sure the excess of visitors has contributed to my high blood pressure. Our main form of entertainment used to be to have friends over for dinner and conversation, and they honestly do not understand that I can not put out a meal, and keep up with dh. The good news is I now have a good idea who I want around when dh is bedridden. And it not who I thought. Some of his friends need picked up after a lot.....one instance....it has been hot here and I make ice cubes in three trays. Would it not occur to you to refill the ice cube tray after you emptied it, instead of putting an empty tray back in the freezer?. Ice is a really big deal for dh, he wants his drinks literally full of ice. So it makes me cranky to find an empty tray in the freezer. Still working with the doc on the high BP, he recently added a second med, didn't want to increase the first med any more.

The last time we were in TN dh said it was his last trip there. Now his Mom is making noises about wanting to come here to visit. She hasn't been here since 1992. She hates Ohio and does not do well on long car rides. She is very unstable on her feet. It would not be a good idea for her to visit. So dh is not considering going back to TN. Sigh. We really just want to be left alone. Except for brothers and sisters and a few close friends.

Please keep those prayers and good thoughts coming..

 

[LPBeier]

Beth, you continue to have my thoughts and prayers big time! Having looked after Dad these past several months I can relate to a lot of things you are going through (specially the food problems and who to/not to have around).

I have actually gained much of my strength from how you and your DH have handled your situation.

Big gentle hugs to both of you {{{{{{{{{{Beth & DH}}}}}}}}}}

 

[Barbara L]

Thanks for the thoughts, all. Kinda keeping a low profile now. Still having a problem getting friends to respect our desire for no visitors...

We are continuing to pray for you both. I'm not at DC as much as in the past, but I do keep up, and I do pray for both of you.

You may have to get tough about visitors. I think it is human nature for the average person to believe that he/she is the exception to the rule when it comes to things like that.

Barbara

 

[bethzaring]

We are continuing to pray for you both. I'm not at DC as much as in the past, but I do keep up, and I do pray for both of you.

You may have to get tough about visitors. I think it is human nature for the average person to believe that he/she is the exception to the rule when it comes to things like that.

Barbara

I agree that these folks think they are the exception.....and also a bit of "oh, she is just having a bad day, she doesn't REALLY mean it".
I'm meeting girl friends for lunch today and will get their take on how to handle this.

 

[ChefJune]

sending you strength to help you get through even the "stuff" you hadn't thought of.

We're all right here for you, Beth.

 

[kadesma]

Sorry I havent written, Beth I think of both of you each day. I've been laid up an anti-biotic got me and it was bad so they changed me to oral meds. Take care sweetie.
cj

 

[CookLikeJulia]

Beth, my prayers goes to you and Rich. May our good Lord guide and give you strength. Take care and God bless!

 

[Uncle Bob]

Morning Miss Beth....Was thinking about ya, and wanted to say HI!!

Dry as a powder keg here..A Total Burn Ban is in effect...Having to water Azaleas in front of the house, and in "The Park" to keep them alive...We did get a sprinkle the other night...I checked my rain gauges, and they were just "damp"

When ya have time, check in and tell us how you are doing.....

UB......

 

[kadesma]

Thinking of the two of you. Stay safe and well.
cj

 

[LPBeier]

Beth, I pray all is well, and you are just enjoying each others company right now. You are both in my thoughts and prayers always. Just know you are well loved and cared for here at DC. {{{{{{{{{{{{{Beth & Rich}}}}}}}}}}}}}

 

[ChefJune]

Beth, you and Rich have been on my mind as well. Saw this thread up at the top and decided I just had to check and see how you are doing.

Prayers and good thoughts are continually flying your way.