Hi
Martin has had a few days of pain again. Lower back and sacril area radiating up the spine and into the neck. With the help of Dr. Sugar we have been adjusting some of Martins meds to make him more comfortable. Martin is also having a problem with his left eye. We are planning to have this checked out on May 11th our next visit with the oncologist in North Vancouver. Martin has an amazing resiliancy. He continues to remain positive, and quietly enjoys the things he can. He looks forward to planting his garden and seeing it grow.
He had a visit from his Uncle Dave and cousins Greg and Matt yesterday. Fortunately he was haveing a good day. Today we are expecting his brother Phil and grand daughter Ainsley.
Anne Holloway (MOM)
Sunday May 1
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Things were better today. Pain was okay and we went out on a walk/wheel around 1-mile Lake, watched paragliders drift through the sky and visited Marty and Oni's community garden plot. Martin was able to walk quite a bit which was great!! It was sunny and beautiful out. M's dad Don is planning to go turn over the garden bed in the next few days. Amy's staying over tonight and M's uncle Dave will arrive on May 3rd and his brother Phil and neice Ainsley will arrive for a week's visit on May 4th.
Sat. April 30
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The past few days have been rough for Marty. While it seems like the radiation has worked in that he no longer has pain in his right shoulder/arm, he's been having severe pain in his sacral area/groin/thighs which has been flaring up unpredictably and has required him to take a lot of pain medication especially in the last 24 hours. It was a rough night last night and he is trying to rest now. I spoke with his doctor this morning and we are doing what we can to make him more comfortable, in raising the dose of his long-acting pain medications. Hopefully that will get things under control again so Marty can get outside and enjoy some sun.
Reminder re: visiting Martin
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Hi, just a reminder to please make contact with either Martin, his parents or Oni before coming to visit. If you've left a message, please wait to hear back from them before coming.
Martin likes having visitors, but says he's feeling the need for scheduled visits only.
Also, please limit your visits to an hour or so and be prepared to just sit with him and not necessarily have a conversation as he's not always feeling up to it.
Thanks,
Carolyn
Martin likes having visitors, but says he's feeling the need for scheduled visits only.
Also, please limit your visits to an hour or so and be prepared to just sit with him and not necessarily have a conversation as he's not always feeling up to it.
Thanks,
Carolyn
Monday April 25
Monday, April 25, 2011
Just a quick note before I head back to Vancouver.
Things seem to be going pretty well here so far. After spending nearly 3 weeks in the hospital, Marty is finding it's taking some time to transition back into life at home. The first couple nights were a bit rough with some unsettled dreams and up quite a bit. Last night M had a good sleep. Yesterday his energy level was higher than during his hospital stay and he is moving around his apartment quite a bit after spending most of his time in bed while in hospital.
What seems to be the most difficult right now is getting used to being on a lot of medications that make him drowsy, and how to schedule them to maximize his awake and alert time for meals and activities. It's a learning process and we're working it out day by day.
Last night we had Easter/Passover with Amy, Oni and Tuula. Matzo ball soup made by Amy and chicken stew made by Anne with a yummy dessert and chocolate eggs.
Today Amy and Tuula will spend the day with Marty.
We'd like to encourage everyone to use the Lotsa Helping Hands website ("Marty's Healing Team"). If you're not already signed up for it, please do. If you're planning to come visit, it has a calendar that you can mark which days you're planning to be here. However please communicate with Martin/his parents/Oni before showing up. Marty appreciates your visits!
I'll be back in Pemberton later this week.
Things seem to be going pretty well here so far. After spending nearly 3 weeks in the hospital, Marty is finding it's taking some time to transition back into life at home. The first couple nights were a bit rough with some unsettled dreams and up quite a bit. Last night M had a good sleep. Yesterday his energy level was higher than during his hospital stay and he is moving around his apartment quite a bit after spending most of his time in bed while in hospital.
What seems to be the most difficult right now is getting used to being on a lot of medications that make him drowsy, and how to schedule them to maximize his awake and alert time for meals and activities. It's a learning process and we're working it out day by day.
Last night we had Easter/Passover with Amy, Oni and Tuula. Matzo ball soup made by Amy and chicken stew made by Anne with a yummy dessert and chocolate eggs.
Today Amy and Tuula will spend the day with Marty.
We'd like to encourage everyone to use the Lotsa Helping Hands website ("Marty's Healing Team"). If you're not already signed up for it, please do. If you're planning to come visit, it has a calendar that you can mark which days you're planning to be here. However please communicate with Martin/his parents/Oni before showing up. Marty appreciates your visits!
I'll be back in Pemberton later this week.
Home sweet home.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Martin is happy to be back home in Pemberton. We arrived yesterday afternoon. The ride back from North Van in Oni's truck went really well and M was able to doze in the back seat and did not have any pain. He was very happy to reunite with his own space and had a nap on the couch as soon as we arrived. It was also good to have a home-cooked meal again last night cooked by Anne.
The night was a bit rough unfortunately as Marty did not get much sleep. It seems being back home might take a bit of time to get used to again. M's throat is sore from the radiation treatments (now they are over! Phew.) and this may continue for another week or two. He had some unsettling dreams and did not feel rested. Hopefully tonight will be better as he gets used to being home again.
Francesca the home care nurse just visited and went over his medications and also said that home care support is available up to 3 hours a day should M's caregivers need a break. Good to know and keep in mind.
Since it is a beautiful day we are going to go sit out on the "beach" now as M's dad calls it, that is the driveway, and gaze at beautiful Mt. Currie and soak up some sun. Later today Tuula will come visit and tomorrow Amy and Oni will come.
All for now,
Carolyn
The night was a bit rough unfortunately as Marty did not get much sleep. It seems being back home might take a bit of time to get used to again. M's throat is sore from the radiation treatments (now they are over! Phew.) and this may continue for another week or two. He had some unsettling dreams and did not feel rested. Hopefully tonight will be better as he gets used to being home again.
Francesca the home care nurse just visited and went over his medications and also said that home care support is available up to 3 hours a day should M's caregivers need a break. Good to know and keep in mind.
Since it is a beautiful day we are going to go sit out on the "beach" now as M's dad calls it, that is the driveway, and gaze at beautiful Mt. Currie and soak up some sun. Later today Tuula will come visit and tomorrow Amy and Oni will come.
All for now,
Carolyn
April 19 Tuesday
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
I am here at the hospital this evening visiting Marty. Don and Anne (Marty's parents) are here, and so are Carolyn and Oni. Marty had another radiation treatment today and is napping right now. He takes many naps throughout the day now. Today's treatment was #8, which means there are only two more to go. If he feels well enough, we are planning to relocate to Pemberton on Friday. Hopefully the car ride will not make him too nauseous.
The radiation has been irritating Marty's throat a lot, so he has been having trouble eating solid foods. He is doing his best to eat soups and drink smoothies and protein shakes, but he has lost a lot of weight. The radiation has two main goals: There is a tumor putting pressure on a nerve which was causing him a lot of pain in his shoulder. At this point, either the radiation or pain medicines have been effective at warding off that pain, which is a big improvement from when he first came to the hospital two weeks ago. The other goal of the radiation is to decrease the size of a mass which is putting pressure on the superior vena cava, which is the main vein which drains the upper body. This radiation treatment is palliative only, and not able to be curative.
In Pemberton, Marty's mom Anne will be looking after Marty most of the time. The local palliative nurses are able to stop by once a day to check on him and to see how things are going. Marty tries to listen to all his voice-mails, but is not able to call everyone back. If you haven't heard back from Marty in a few days, you can try Oni (Marty's Pemberton and paragliding friend) at 604.698.6532. Regarding visiting, it is hard for me to give clear direction. Sometimes Marty is feeling well enough to have visitors, but other times he is not well enough for visitors. Sometimes he seems too tired, but is able to perk up quite a bit when a friend stops by. Other times a visitor will stop by and he will be sleeping the entire time. I don't want to discourage anyone from visiting, but I want to reiterate that it is best to keep your visits to about an hour, and I cannot guarantee Marty will feel like visiting when you show up.
It is Passover today and this whole week. I am certain Marty's doesn't want any matzah, but I am going to make him some matzah ball soup, which I hope will soothe his throat a bit.
The radiation has been irritating Marty's throat a lot, so he has been having trouble eating solid foods. He is doing his best to eat soups and drink smoothies and protein shakes, but he has lost a lot of weight. The radiation has two main goals: There is a tumor putting pressure on a nerve which was causing him a lot of pain in his shoulder. At this point, either the radiation or pain medicines have been effective at warding off that pain, which is a big improvement from when he first came to the hospital two weeks ago. The other goal of the radiation is to decrease the size of a mass which is putting pressure on the superior vena cava, which is the main vein which drains the upper body. This radiation treatment is palliative only, and not able to be curative.
In Pemberton, Marty's mom Anne will be looking after Marty most of the time. The local palliative nurses are able to stop by once a day to check on him and to see how things are going. Marty tries to listen to all his voice-mails, but is not able to call everyone back. If you haven't heard back from Marty in a few days, you can try Oni (Marty's Pemberton and paragliding friend) at 604.698.6532. Regarding visiting, it is hard for me to give clear direction. Sometimes Marty is feeling well enough to have visitors, but other times he is not well enough for visitors. Sometimes he seems too tired, but is able to perk up quite a bit when a friend stops by. Other times a visitor will stop by and he will be sleeping the entire time. I don't want to discourage anyone from visiting, but I want to reiterate that it is best to keep your visits to about an hour, and I cannot guarantee Marty will feel like visiting when you show up.
It is Passover today and this whole week. I am certain Marty's doesn't want any matzah, but I am going to make him some matzah ball soup, which I hope will soothe his throat a bit.
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