May 15, 2010

This has been a challenging week for Mom. She started chemo last Thursday and did pretty well that evening and Friday. Then her energy started to wind down. She is having a hard time eating and drinking because her liver is so enlarged it is squishing her stomach. She is tired but worked all day Monday thru Wednesday this week. Thursday was her second chemo treatment and it really tired her out. She met with a nutritionist after her chemo appointment. That was lots of good information and good ideas to make eating and drinking easier. Having two appointments in one day was too much though. We are going to work on helping Mom take things a little at a time. She isn't used to pacing herself nor is she used to not having the energy she's accustom too. Hopefully soon we can update that she's working half days.

She is going to start drinking two high calorie meal replacement drinks daily along with small, nutritious, high liquid content snacks and meals to try to boost her hydration. If we can help her eat and drink a bit more she will feel better and have more energy simply because there will be more available energy.

Bobbi is here for a few days to help Dad and Brandy get her meal plan organized. We're trying to help both Mom and Dad to be prepared with meals and snacks and other things in the house that will help boost Mom's hydration and calorie intake. Having a plan helps that be less work and less last minute re-acting.

One of Mom's neighbors and ward members came over on Wednesday evening and gave her a foot massage. Mom enjoyed that. Her feet are very swollen from her chemo. She said "it was a little short but nice" which makes me think we may need to do that for her a little more regularly.

Dad is being his normal worried self. He watches her close and doesn't leave her alone much. He is comforted to know that the people Mom works with are also helping and watching her while she's there. I know that makes letting her go to work it a little easier for him. He is a worrier and we're trying to also help him have a break here and there. Sometimes it's harder to convince him to take a break than it is to come up with a suggestion of what to do. The sun has been shining all week and his motorcycle is a good outlet. Wade is a good help in that department.