Chris made such a huge effort to talk to both the consultants yesterday evening, but it seems to have taken a lot out of him. He had a very restless night which culminated in him falling out of bed and having another fit. This morning his vision and his hearing are both much worse. His […]
By Gillian This evening the consultant oncologist came to the hospice to discuss treatment options with us. Chris was alert, sitting in a chair, and able to follow and contribute to the conversation, which was great. The nurse and palliative care consultant were both amazed at how much more with it he was compared to […]
By Gillian Yesterday was, by current standards at least, a goodish day. Today is less good. Chris is in no pain, but he seems very confused. The nurses and I have to speak very slowly and clearly to him, or he can’t understand us. He is also having major difficulty talking. We are waiting for […]
By Gillian Chris has had a more comfortable day today. He has only been sick once, and the doctor is pleased with his response to the steroids. His vision is significantly better, as is his hearing, and he is able to follow and take part in (short) conversations. He is heavily sedated, largely to moderate […]
By Gillian I now have a copy of the scan report which was faxed from the hospital to the hospice. Chris has a new secondary tumour in the left cerebellar hemisphere. This is very likely to be the cause of the dizziness, unsteadiness and nausea that he has been experiencing. It is also probable that […]
By Gillian This stay in the hospice has given us both a bit of a break. Chris is being professionally nursed, his condition monitored and his medication adjusted, in remarkably pleasant and peaceful surroundings, and I am having some welcome respite from being totally responsible for him. Much as I love him, I feel as […]
By Gillian When I got to the hospice this afternoon to see Chris, I found him being given a back, shoulder and neck massage by one of the aromatherapists. I had to give a wry smile, as he’s usually very very sceptical about complementary therapists. I find a regular massage essential to keep my shoulders […]
By Gillian Those of a squeamish disposition should scroll down to the final paragraph for the status update! One of the more surreal parts of the whole hideous weekend was that when Christopher threw up, the vomit was usually a bright yellow. And I mean BRIGHT yellow. Almost day-glow in fact. Which was odd because […]
By Gillian I went to the hospice this afternoon to see how Chris was doing. He was asleep most of the time I was there, so it was a good job I’d taken a book with me. They’ve put him on a continuous pump of pain-killer and anti-emetic drugs, to keep a more or less […]
By Gillian We’ve had a truly dreadful weekend. Chris has had uncontrollable vomiting all weekend – he couldn’t keep anything down, not even water or his pills, so the pain was getting bad too, and he was getting very weak from lack of food and drink. Of all the weekends my sister could have chosen […]
