Hope and Human Kindness
The past two weeks have continued to be very difficult for Keith. He has had a few very good days - Thanksgiving was lovely - but he has also had some very difficult days and nights. The most disheartening development is that Keith is now experiencing stretches of pain and times of considerable anxiety. With the guidance of the palliative care team, we have added pain medications to the mix, including morphine as needed.
There has been no improvement in physical capability. Keith has lost virtually all ability to move on his left side. Even on the best days, it is not really possible for him to stand even with support. Still a fighter, in his wakeful moments, Keith is anxious to do physical rehabilitation work. His good friend Garth helped devise some simple exercises which allow his limbs to get some movement and to help prevent cramping.
In spite of the physical challenges, we were able to make our second chemo appointment this Tuesday. Aaron and Enzo carried him fireman style to the car and were invaluable in lifting him in and out of the wheelchair. Fortunately there are no side effects associated with the chemo so he is not in any discomfort as a result of the treatment. Many thanks to Aaron and Enzo - we could not have managed any other way.
I am thankful that there have been a few good days - a steady stream of friends have continued to drop in and call; when Keith is wakeful he still cracks a joke now and then. With the addition of the morphine, wakeful moments are growing unfortunately fewer.
Our dear friend Kerry has been a rock - she has been here every day with her healing massage and reike - it has brought Keith much comfort. The meal mitzvah crew have defined the word mitzvah with a capital M - we have been so nourished by your generosity and your loving attendance - thanks to all and especially to Trish for being the organizational maven.
Our family has felt very blessed by the love of our friends and the warmth from this amazing community. Keith has said to me often with tears in his eyes that he does not understand why so many people have cared and given so much. We don't know how to thank you. You have been our heroes and you have shown us the wonder of humanity and the meaning of hope. Any cynicism we might have had about the power of the human spirit melts in the face of this demonstration of the capacity of humans to care for each other. The experience for me has been profound and I can only hope to be able to measure up to your example and pay it forward.
There has been no improvement in physical capability. Keith has lost virtually all ability to move on his left side. Even on the best days, it is not really possible for him to stand even with support. Still a fighter, in his wakeful moments, Keith is anxious to do physical rehabilitation work. His good friend Garth helped devise some simple exercises which allow his limbs to get some movement and to help prevent cramping.
In spite of the physical challenges, we were able to make our second chemo appointment this Tuesday. Aaron and Enzo carried him fireman style to the car and were invaluable in lifting him in and out of the wheelchair. Fortunately there are no side effects associated with the chemo so he is not in any discomfort as a result of the treatment. Many thanks to Aaron and Enzo - we could not have managed any other way.
I am thankful that there have been a few good days - a steady stream of friends have continued to drop in and call; when Keith is wakeful he still cracks a joke now and then. With the addition of the morphine, wakeful moments are growing unfortunately fewer.
Our dear friend Kerry has been a rock - she has been here every day with her healing massage and reike - it has brought Keith much comfort. The meal mitzvah crew have defined the word mitzvah with a capital M - we have been so nourished by your generosity and your loving attendance - thanks to all and especially to Trish for being the organizational maven.
Our family has felt very blessed by the love of our friends and the warmth from this amazing community. Keith has said to me often with tears in his eyes that he does not understand why so many people have cared and given so much. We don't know how to thank you. You have been our heroes and you have shown us the wonder of humanity and the meaning of hope. Any cynicism we might have had about the power of the human spirit melts in the face of this demonstration of the capacity of humans to care for each other. The experience for me has been profound and I can only hope to be able to measure up to your example and pay it forward.
posted by Keith and Kathy | 7:03 AM
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