Allison Knight's Blog, page 6
April 23, 2014
The Journey
Moving right along! Okay, I'm being a smart aleck. Some noticeable changes are beginning to occur. I'm waking up at night very cold, shaking and having trouble catching my breath. I think I might need another firmer pillow to raise my head up a bit more. I check the O2 and the level is okay. I'll have to check about raising the amount I get at night with the hospice nurse.
There is also now some noticeable pain, but I did expect that, and was surprised I hadn't had more pain much earlier on. The pain meds they are giving me work fine. I take half a pill about every four hours and it's a low dosage so I feel good about that.
Getting started in the morning is difficult, between the shortness of breath and being cold, it's taking longer to shower and dress. Today I elected to take the short stool into the shower with me. Yep, sat to shower.
Funny thing though! once I get dressed, have something to eat and take my pills, I begin to feel better. And by now, afternoon here, I feel fine. I went to the grocery, put stuff away, did a load of laundry and cooked lunch. Once I get up and get going, I go fine. Now that is a shocker...
I'll just have to figure out this night time business...
Allison
There is also now some noticeable pain, but I did expect that, and was surprised I hadn't had more pain much earlier on. The pain meds they are giving me work fine. I take half a pill about every four hours and it's a low dosage so I feel good about that.
Getting started in the morning is difficult, between the shortness of breath and being cold, it's taking longer to shower and dress. Today I elected to take the short stool into the shower with me. Yep, sat to shower.
Funny thing though! once I get dressed, have something to eat and take my pills, I begin to feel better. And by now, afternoon here, I feel fine. I went to the grocery, put stuff away, did a load of laundry and cooked lunch. Once I get up and get going, I go fine. Now that is a shocker...
I'll just have to figure out this night time business...
Allison
April 22, 2014
The Journey
Well, first time I have to say I had a really bad night. The O2 dries out my nose making breathing difficult because of the constant flood of mucus and the resulting drying liquid. Plain and simple - a mess. They tell me it's because the oxygen is such a drying agent and there's not much to do about it, except to add a humidifier to the oxygenator, which results in moisture in the breathing tube. One of those the cure is worse than the illness type of thing to my way of thinking.
For the first time though, I woke up, gasping for air. I was shaking I was so cold. And when you can't breath, you get anxious so it's a circle in a circle in a circle type of effect. I finally got calmed down and got the breathing regulated, then warmed up a bit, but this morning, I'm taking it very easy. I ordered the humidifier for the oxygenator, because water in the tube is better than freezing to death because I can't breath.
Now, things are slowly coming back to normal, and I learned another valuable lesson. My hospice nurses all told me I needed the humidifier, but I figured I didn't want the water in the tubing. Guess I'm just gonna have to start listening to the authorities, and ignore personal opinions. Maybe one of these days, I'll learn. (grinning)
Looking forward to a good night sleep tonight, because they are bringing the humidifiers this morning and showing me how to attached the bottles to the machine.
Allison
For the first time though, I woke up, gasping for air. I was shaking I was so cold. And when you can't breath, you get anxious so it's a circle in a circle in a circle type of effect. I finally got calmed down and got the breathing regulated, then warmed up a bit, but this morning, I'm taking it very easy. I ordered the humidifier for the oxygenator, because water in the tube is better than freezing to death because I can't breath.
Now, things are slowly coming back to normal, and I learned another valuable lesson. My hospice nurses all told me I needed the humidifier, but I figured I didn't want the water in the tubing. Guess I'm just gonna have to start listening to the authorities, and ignore personal opinions. Maybe one of these days, I'll learn. (grinning)
Looking forward to a good night sleep tonight, because they are bringing the humidifiers this morning and showing me how to attached the bottles to the machine.
Allison
April 21, 2014
The Journey
I hope everyone had a great Easter. We had a small steak, and it was a bit to thin to cook it properly so it was less rare than I'd hoped, but the baked potato and the salad was great. No way could I have cooked a ham, or a prime rib which is what we usually have. Nah! those days are done forever, unless I can talk a kid into coming to do the task. (grinning)
One of the things I've noticed - I can't eat as much as I used to. Oh, I still have an appetite, which is good, but the amount of food needed to satisfy is definitely smaller. Of course, I'm not doing any exercising to speak of, so I don't need as much fuel. And my weight is still the same which is great. It's called standing in one position, not moving in one direction or another. So, we count that as good news as well.
I still haven't figured out how much I can do before I've done too much. I'm beginning to think I just might not ever get those calculations correct. I set goals, and then I don't met them, or in a couple of cases, I exceed them. I like the later a lot more than the former!
Today, I have a drawer I've been dumping stuff into for years (yah! years, not months.) I'm going to get it cleaned out today. Today's goal. Should be easy to meet, maybe even exceed. (Yes, I do like the goals I can exceed.....)
It's a shame today is a rough day. Breathing is difficult and my joints hurt. Must be changing weather. But they promised me a week of sunshine. I'm gonna be grossed out if we have another low pressure system moving in.
Now off to clean that drawer. Wonder what I'll find?
Allison
One of the things I've noticed - I can't eat as much as I used to. Oh, I still have an appetite, which is good, but the amount of food needed to satisfy is definitely smaller. Of course, I'm not doing any exercising to speak of, so I don't need as much fuel. And my weight is still the same which is great. It's called standing in one position, not moving in one direction or another. So, we count that as good news as well.
I still haven't figured out how much I can do before I've done too much. I'm beginning to think I just might not ever get those calculations correct. I set goals, and then I don't met them, or in a couple of cases, I exceed them. I like the later a lot more than the former!
Today, I have a drawer I've been dumping stuff into for years (yah! years, not months.) I'm going to get it cleaned out today. Today's goal. Should be easy to meet, maybe even exceed. (Yes, I do like the goals I can exceed.....)
It's a shame today is a rough day. Breathing is difficult and my joints hurt. Must be changing weather. But they promised me a week of sunshine. I'm gonna be grossed out if we have another low pressure system moving in.
Now off to clean that drawer. Wonder what I'll find?
Allison
April 18, 2014
The Journey
Rain today, so I'll be doing a little bit of nothing. (grinning) I have books to read, so that's just fine with me. I do have some clothes to fold, but that's a sit down and do it fast or slow, depending on how you feel type of job. And I looked at the weather for the rest of the week and it looks good, full sun every day. That means low humidity so my breathing should be easier.
In the mean time I have to go to the grocery store. Some of the meds I take require careful handling. It took a couple of hours of research and some help from a manufacturer to discover the way to handle one of the meds I use for easy in breathing. For it I require syringes so I can protect the liquid which I use with an inhalation compressor. Complicated, but it works. However, I have the meds, just not the syringes, so off to the store. I won't do much but sit and ride. DH has to do the talking and the getting. (more grins) Not something he's too thrilled about. Oh well, then to the books. It will be a good day.
Maybe a bit on the computer this afternoon. We'll see. And since this is the end of Holy week. I'll be taking the rest of today, tomorrow and Easter Sunday off. So, I'll see y'all on Monday. Peace to all and may the love and goodness that Easter represents reside with everyone this weekend.
Allison
In the mean time I have to go to the grocery store. Some of the meds I take require careful handling. It took a couple of hours of research and some help from a manufacturer to discover the way to handle one of the meds I use for easy in breathing. For it I require syringes so I can protect the liquid which I use with an inhalation compressor. Complicated, but it works. However, I have the meds, just not the syringes, so off to the store. I won't do much but sit and ride. DH has to do the talking and the getting. (more grins) Not something he's too thrilled about. Oh well, then to the books. It will be a good day.
Maybe a bit on the computer this afternoon. We'll see. And since this is the end of Holy week. I'll be taking the rest of today, tomorrow and Easter Sunday off. So, I'll see y'all on Monday. Peace to all and may the love and goodness that Easter represents reside with everyone this weekend.
Allison
April 17, 2014
The Journey
Good days, Yesterday! Bad days, today. I thought I might go to the grocery for a couple of things. Nix on that. Breathing is just to hard today. I looked at the weather, and yep, here comes another low pressure system, with lots of rain. It does make a difference. So it's take it easy today.
Yesterday, I cleaned out the silverware drawer. I haven't done that for years. What a good feeling. Getting something accomplished that should have been done years ago.
This morning, I went through all those cosmetics you collect over the years. I had mascara that was dried out, eye liner that I no longer wear, face powder that is much too light and something I no longer wear. Then there is the nail polish. The French style, white tips and clear nails, is no longer considered stylish. So out with the clear and the white. Almost I have a light rose, a cream, a buff, a couple more of very light colors that are dry and useless, so out they go.
The drawer is now clean. Hooray. Something accomplished. It feels really good to have something that needed to be done finished. Also, today is laundry day. I do one load a day. So today is the light things. I don't dare let my DH do the laundry. He put EVERYTHING in the washing machine together, both dark and light. I do have a few things that fade. So we don't want to do that. No way!
I do the laundry. He carries it from one machine to the other. That works well. I fold, he carries it to the bedroom, and we put away together. He does help. I just don't want everything washed together. (grinning) I'll buy the bras and pants that are pink, or beige when I buy them, not after they've been washed.
Allison
Yesterday, I cleaned out the silverware drawer. I haven't done that for years. What a good feeling. Getting something accomplished that should have been done years ago.
This morning, I went through all those cosmetics you collect over the years. I had mascara that was dried out, eye liner that I no longer wear, face powder that is much too light and something I no longer wear. Then there is the nail polish. The French style, white tips and clear nails, is no longer considered stylish. So out with the clear and the white. Almost I have a light rose, a cream, a buff, a couple more of very light colors that are dry and useless, so out they go.
The drawer is now clean. Hooray. Something accomplished. It feels really good to have something that needed to be done finished. Also, today is laundry day. I do one load a day. So today is the light things. I don't dare let my DH do the laundry. He put EVERYTHING in the washing machine together, both dark and light. I do have a few things that fade. So we don't want to do that. No way!
I do the laundry. He carries it from one machine to the other. That works well. I fold, he carries it to the bedroom, and we put away together. He does help. I just don't want everything washed together. (grinning) I'll buy the bras and pants that are pink, or beige when I buy them, not after they've been washed.
Allison
April 16, 2014
The Journey
Beautiful sunny day. Cold though. So high pressure has settled in and the breathing is a tiny bit better. Not as much as I'd hope. I had a list of things I wanted to get done today, so I may have to cut the list down a bit. I did do a bit too much yesterday. I still have not found my limits.
I'm also noticing some pains now, on a regular basis. They don't last long, and are certainly bearable, but the hospice people insist I take a pain pill when the pain starts. They don't want me to be "uncomfortable". Dragging fifty feet of green tubing around behind you, so you can breath is being comfortable? Who are they kidding? A little pain once in a while doesn't compare with trying to do something attached to a long tube that gets hung up on a dozen things.
I have the greatest sympathy for the astronauts who are floating around in space trying to fix the space shuttle, or their living quarters. They are connect to tubing too. Fortunately for me, I don't have to wear a gigantic suit, a helmet, or those gloves. Ever try to work in gloves? I don't even like to garden with gloves on, and cleaning - forget it. Hands do a fine job, thank you very much. And these hands had better get busy. Morning are my good times. So, if I'm going to get some of that list accomplished, I'd better get going.
Allison
I'm also noticing some pains now, on a regular basis. They don't last long, and are certainly bearable, but the hospice people insist I take a pain pill when the pain starts. They don't want me to be "uncomfortable". Dragging fifty feet of green tubing around behind you, so you can breath is being comfortable? Who are they kidding? A little pain once in a while doesn't compare with trying to do something attached to a long tube that gets hung up on a dozen things.
I have the greatest sympathy for the astronauts who are floating around in space trying to fix the space shuttle, or their living quarters. They are connect to tubing too. Fortunately for me, I don't have to wear a gigantic suit, a helmet, or those gloves. Ever try to work in gloves? I don't even like to garden with gloves on, and cleaning - forget it. Hands do a fine job, thank you very much. And these hands had better get busy. Morning are my good times. So, if I'm going to get some of that list accomplished, I'd better get going.
Allison
April 15, 2014
The Journey
Took a short trip to Wal Mart. Recovery took a little long this morning. Has to be the weather. It's still wet and raining, although the sun is trying now. We are supposed to have good weather over the next couple of days. That will suit me just fine. I do breath so much better in sunny weather. (It's the high pressure systems that make for easier breathing)
I did make banana pudding for lunch. It's a great way to get some CA and some K (calcium and phosphorus) which both my DH and I need. Besides, it makes a great dessert.
Which brings me to the topic of cooking. I love to cook, always have, always will. But now, I don't have the energy to flit around the kitchen and get the ingredients I need. Too many steps, takes too much energy. I'm leaning to get everything together before I start which makes it easier, but the meals have sure changed. I'm fixing things now that don't take a lot of work. No more fancy meals. I really miss that. I can see a time when fixing any meals will be a real test of my strength. We are sampling all the microwave meals to determine which ones we like, because that's the direction we are going. All part of the slowly down bit. Ah, such is life.
Allison
I did make banana pudding for lunch. It's a great way to get some CA and some K (calcium and phosphorus) which both my DH and I need. Besides, it makes a great dessert.
Which brings me to the topic of cooking. I love to cook, always have, always will. But now, I don't have the energy to flit around the kitchen and get the ingredients I need. Too many steps, takes too much energy. I'm leaning to get everything together before I start which makes it easier, but the meals have sure changed. I'm fixing things now that don't take a lot of work. No more fancy meals. I really miss that. I can see a time when fixing any meals will be a real test of my strength. We are sampling all the microwave meals to determine which ones we like, because that's the direction we are going. All part of the slowly down bit. Ah, such is life.
Allison
April 14, 2014
The Journey
Low pressure moving in. I'll say no more. I did get the strawberries sugared and ready to eat. However, after I finished yesterday's laundry, I decided lunch is gonna be simple today. I had a few phone calls to make and talking a lot, takes a lot of wind. Dang it! And I do so love to talk. I've posted more pics of the rose bush on my face book page. www.facebook.com/AuthorAllisonKnight if you want to see more of the roses. As I said on facebook, what a shame it only blooms once a year.
Yesterday I saw the hospice PA (physician's assistant). Yes, I'm ill, yes, I need to be on hospice, yes, whatever I have, either the cancer or the lung disease, it will be the death of me. Seriously. But then I knew that. I wasn't the least bit upset when she confirmed what I already knew. She was so nice about it, I didn't want to tell her I had that figured out a few months ago.
Of course, no one will speculate on how long. So we just keep going and doing as long as we can.
My rose bush has bloomed, I'm getting to work on another book, spring has arrived and the flowers here in the south are in full bloom. I love this time of year. A rebirth. So, I'm off to make a simple lunch and then I intend to rewrite another chapter of Once More.
I can sit at my computer and type away. So, off to the kitchen and then the computer.
Allison
Yesterday I saw the hospice PA (physician's assistant). Yes, I'm ill, yes, I need to be on hospice, yes, whatever I have, either the cancer or the lung disease, it will be the death of me. Seriously. But then I knew that. I wasn't the least bit upset when she confirmed what I already knew. She was so nice about it, I didn't want to tell her I had that figured out a few months ago.
Of course, no one will speculate on how long. So we just keep going and doing as long as we can.
My rose bush has bloomed, I'm getting to work on another book, spring has arrived and the flowers here in the south are in full bloom. I love this time of year. A rebirth. So, I'm off to make a simple lunch and then I intend to rewrite another chapter of Once More.
I can sit at my computer and type away. So, off to the kitchen and then the computer.
Allison
April 13, 2014
The Journey
I've discovered a problem. And this is a hoot! You don't even think about it when you get sick. And it's not until the problem arises that you even realize you have a problem. With my disease, I've discovered, some garments I can no longer wear. I can't breath sufficiently. I have a wardrobe of pants with elastic waist bands. Summer and winter pants, shorts, capris. And in the summer, after all, here in the south, it gets hot and you change clothing at least once a day, sometimes more, especially it you are working outside.
Okay, so I'm not working outside but I still need to wear clean clothes, but nothing fits. So here is the problem. I can't go shopping at the store. I can't walk that far and I don't have an electric cart, so pushing a buggy around is out of the question. I can't go into a dressing room to try stuff on. I don't have the energy. What's left is the internet and I'm learning quickly, this is hit or miss.
I've been trying for almost a month to buy some undergarments (Mother used to call them unmentionables, but we call them bras) I'm on my fourth trial. I order, they come, I try them on, they don't fit, so back they go. I think I might have found one, but I'm calling the company tomorrow and asking a lot of questions, before DH starts yelling about all the returns he's had to take to the post office.
I did find pants that work, now if I get lucky.....
In the meantime I have a book to write. Best get to it. Rain expected tomorrow, so tomorrow will probably be a sit quietly and take it easy day. And I had several things planned. Oh, well, there's always Tuesday. Crossing fingers the rain will be only for one day.
Allison
Okay, so I'm not working outside but I still need to wear clean clothes, but nothing fits. So here is the problem. I can't go shopping at the store. I can't walk that far and I don't have an electric cart, so pushing a buggy around is out of the question. I can't go into a dressing room to try stuff on. I don't have the energy. What's left is the internet and I'm learning quickly, this is hit or miss.
I've been trying for almost a month to buy some undergarments (Mother used to call them unmentionables, but we call them bras) I'm on my fourth trial. I order, they come, I try them on, they don't fit, so back they go. I think I might have found one, but I'm calling the company tomorrow and asking a lot of questions, before DH starts yelling about all the returns he's had to take to the post office.
I did find pants that work, now if I get lucky.....
In the meantime I have a book to write. Best get to it. Rain expected tomorrow, so tomorrow will probably be a sit quietly and take it easy day. And I had several things planned. Oh, well, there's always Tuesday. Crossing fingers the rain will be only for one day.
Allison
April 12, 2014
The Journey
I did say I would post a pic of my rose bush when it bloomed. It's started this week. and the roses are beautiful. This poor bush hasn't bloomed for ten years. This year it is full of buds. The thought did cross my mind that this might be the last year I see it bloom like this. But then, it likes a cold winters and we had one of those. So the optimist in me says its the weather.
The story behind the bush is this. It was brought as a taste of home from Holland in the early 1800's by either the Hull family or the Friend family who both settled in PA. Each daughter gets a start of the bush when she marries and gets settled in her home. My mother gave me my start. I gave my daughter a start and in her last move her start died. She'll have to have another root. Then my granddaughters need their starts. And so the bush continues from generation to generation. As a historical author, I just love this. Can't you tell?
Allison
The story behind the bush is this. It was brought as a taste of home from Holland in the early 1800's by either the Hull family or the Friend family who both settled in PA. Each daughter gets a start of the bush when she marries and gets settled in her home. My mother gave me my start. I gave my daughter a start and in her last move her start died. She'll have to have another root. Then my granddaughters need their starts. And so the bush continues from generation to generation. As a historical author, I just love this. Can't you tell?
Allison
