Update Dec. 12,2008

Hi all.

After a week in the hospital, John came home yesterday. He received
24/7 IV nutrition while there and ate a few meals, as well. I think
he has gained a little bit of strength but, certainly not enough to
undergo another round of chemo.

John was very restless while awake in the hospital and wanted to come
home. Dr. Kearse worked hard to get medicare to pay for the nutrition
infusion to be paid for at home. I find it hard to understand why the
insurance companies will pay for this in the hospital but, are
reluctant to do so at home. Home is so much less expensive. Anyway,
we got it approved and came home yesterday afternoon. It was a very
short time before John was ready to go back to bed.

About 10PM, the home nurse came by to connect the nutrition bag to the
new pole and the other equipment that was brought here. The procedure
and all of the paper work took over 2 1/2 hours. This thing will run
every night for 12 hours. Each morning, a nurse will come to shut it
off. I have to check his blood sugar every 2 hours during this
process. He has never had diabetic issues but, with all the glucose
and the rich nature of the milky looking substance going in, I guess
there is a possibility of throwing off his sugar level.

This apparatus is a typical hanging bag like we see in hospitals. The
one that was brought yesterday had very small wheels and is very light
weight. It doesn't roll over the carpet easily and is top heavy,
making it prone to fall over if being moved across the room. Since
this is liquid going in, it requires liquid going out so, John made
multiple trips to the restroom last night. Since he couldn't handle
the pole, I rolled the pole for him on each trip. It has to be
unplugged, as well so, we have cords and tubes to travel with.
Needless to say, with the checking of blood sugar and the assistance
with the pole that had to be carried to the bathroom rather than
rolled, I had little sleep.

Today we were brought a heavy duty pole and I think it will be much
easier to handle. I still think that John will need help since the
bathroom is more than a few steps from the bed. We both slept a lot
of the day after the IV was discontinued this morning.

Home nursing will be back tonight. This will be ongoing (not sure how
long) every day.

We have decided that I really need some help. I can't take care of
John all night and all day, too. I have put out a couple of feelers
to see if I can get some help taking care of John. It is hard to put
my finger on exactly what I need help with or what it will look like.
I got more rested while John was in the hospital since I stayed home
but, that rest is quickly spent having tasks to do during the night.

We may need a live in person, we may need someone to prepare food,
someone to just give me a chance to rest and make sure John gets what
he needs. This may need to be a combination of people. I am open to
your suggestions. I have been given some good ideas by my friend,
Judy Wilkins. She has shared with me what all it took to take care of
her sweet Louis last year through his cancer. She usually had 3-4
people in the house at all times. I don't think we could swing that
but, we do need to get some help, here.

I have not much more to say other than we are here, we are home and
John is glad to be in his bed and his chair.

Hope all of you are doing well and having fun getting ready for the
holidays.

Love,
Shere