Home Early

Well, we arrived home from the cottage last night earlier than expected as Caitlyn's condition has deteriorated somewhat.

Prior to leaving for the cottage on Saturday, after loading her into the van, Jim asked Caitlyn if she was ready for the cottage at which point she nodded. Something she had not done for about 2 weeks. Yet another indication that we were doing the right thing.

After arriving at the cottage and setting her bed up in the livingroom that looks over the lake and putting her in the bed, we opened up the windows so she could hear the wind chimes, and the loons on the lake. Sunday afternoon she made it down to the beach via a chaise lounge chair where she was able to listen to the water lapping. Then again on Monday afternoon, she spent the entire afternoon on the beach in her chaise lounge with her IV pole beside her and a beach umbrella over her, listening to the goings on of the kids in the water and the boats going back and forth. She was awake at 4:30 am on Monday and watched morning come over the lake. There really is nothing better.

Monday night she developed problems with her saliva and was having troubles swallowing it and was up part of the night having troubles, therefore we spent the day in the cottage on Tuesday. Tuesday night proved to be a troublesome night for her with choking on her saliva and then she had a seizure. After some contemplation we decided to come home while she could. Thankfully the trip home was uneventual and she slept all the way.

After arriving home she had to be sedated somewhat as she was really having trouble with the choking and again this morning. What this means is that she can sleep comfortably without the difficulties of choking.

We are all so thankful we had those days at the cottage. It seems that Caitlyn completed her list of what she wanted to do. Go to the cottage, listen to the loons, sit on the beach, listen to the lake and watch the morning come up over the lake. None of this would of been possible if it had not been for all of our friends, and the nurses, and workers at CCAC that coordinated this whole event.

The Cobeans

The update of the week.......Caitlyn has appeared to have perked up this week somewhat. She is sleeping a little less and is awake for a couple of hours in the afternoon as well as being awake from 6-10:30 in the eve. She has been out on the porch most nights for some fresh air and change of scenery.
So after some long and hard contemplation we have decided to go to our cottage for the week, leaving tomorrow. Caitlyn has not been able to verbally communicate with us for some time now, and she is no longer nodding or shaking her head so it was hard making the decision without her input. Occasionally she will communicate with her eyes, such as the look of surprise with the news of the sudden passing of her art teacher this past week. So early in the week as I chattered away to her, I told her that I wished she could give me a sign that she wanted to go or didn't want to go to the cottage. When I started out I asked if she really wanted to go to the cottage and she looked at me with her big eyes and started to blink repetitively then I said that we could stay at home in her comfortable bed with the air conditioning at which point she glared at me. I took that as my sign that she wanted to go. And given the more alert spells we figured we would try it.
There have been many people involved in making this trip work and all to be thanked. We have the use of a large conversion van with a reclining seat for her, we have quite a load of medical supplies and we have visiting nursing coming to the cottage. Her hospital bed comes apart and will fit into our van so she will have the same comforts of home yet have different surroundings.
We are hoping and praying that we have made the right decision!
So we will be unable to update the blog for a week or so due to the lack of internet connection at he cottage.
Please keep us in your prayers for our journey!!
Thanks
Rona

Well, there is not alot to update everyone on this week. Other than she is having some difficulty with nausea that we are controlling with Gravol through her IV. Therefore in turn, she is sleeping more. She is usually awake for about 4 hours in the evening and for very short periods of time during the day.
She has not taken anything by mouth since last Sunday eve but her IV is keeping her nourished. She is responding with her eyes to the odd conversation so we are always talking to her.
The best news is that she is pain free.
Other than that there is nothing more to report. We are really wanting to thank each and everyone for their prayers, calls, visits, help, flowers, and food that has been pouring into the house.

Thanks
The Cobeans

I am sure that many are waiting for an update, so here we are. This week, Caitlyn had a PICC line put in her arm on Tuesday, instead of an IV as the IV's were not lasting very long and she was having to be poked continually. This is a semi permanent fix and are much easier to maintain. This was inserted in Owen Sound, therefore, the car trip there was exhausting and she slept most of Wednesday and Thursday but has been awake more the last two days. She is having trouble swallowing so therefore her solid food intake is very low, but we have been able to get thickened juice into her.
She has also been out in a chaise lounge chair nightly on the front porch and loving it. The change of scenery and fresh air seems to be what she wants and enjoys.
She is not talking anymore so communication is limited but will nod and shake her head to yes/no questions.
Caitlyn also was privileged today to have a massage by her massage therapist, right here in her own bed and appeared to enjoy it when she fell asleep and was snoring.
So much the same as last week, but we will keep you up to date.

The Cobeans

Caitlyn has grown weaker and weaker as the days have went on. She is unable to stand up. She started the chemo (pill form) on Tues July 1 but unfortunately by the next evening she was unable to swallow her pills. She was having difficulty swallowing fluids also. So on Thurs we had a hospital bed delivered and set up in the living room and an IV put in for hydration. Therefore the chemo has been aborted because it comes in pill form only and she is unable to swallow it. She has no pain so as far as comfort she has it. Her steriod and seizure meds are going through the IV though.
She has had a multitude of visitors which she seems to be loving even though she is unable to verbalize this. She uses her eyes to communicate and they say it all sometimes. She will nod and shake her head also to questions. She is certainly comprehending everything. Now since the IV she has been swallowing a bit better. Today she ate watermelon and last night had a couple of pieces of Caramilk chocolate bar.
She does sleep a far bit, but being in the livingroom allows her to watch her favourite TV programs when she wants.
She has had the opportunity to see her cousin who is in Africa for a work placement for school via a webcam, which has been good for both of them.
Well, until next time, thanks to all who have stopped by, brought food, sent prayers, and helped out with everyday life!!!

Thanks
The Cobeans