We left off talking about the decision we made to stop treatment or trials. Still pretty active until then and the plan was to stay that way. Just stop treatments. Little did we know that Earl had other plans.
But before Earl got too carried away we managed to take in a art show with Cousin Kim on the Kinne River in River Falls WI. We put Nancy in the wheel chair and took the stroll on a beautiful warm fall day. Stopped at the farm near Kim's to buy soup and berries and peek at the llama's. Llama's disappeared into the woods so no peeks. Next time
We also managed to enjoy a fund raiser for Rotary Projects. It is a night time play in the dark golf tournament called Moonstruck. We did not play but sponsored a hole in the name of Kick Cancer. Enjoyed the kick off dinner with our friends Mary and Co and Co's dad Malcolm and family. Nancy had a good dinner conversation with Malcolm who is in his late 80's but going strong.
Had a nice visit and coffee with Anne Lewis and Sue with Tim Anderson.
And then DAM EARL!
Pain was building all week and Friday I could not hold anything down. Saturday morning Sue invited
yellow Nancy for a trip to the emergency room. Nancy agreed and off they went. Nancy could not stand as pain was too great. The admitting nurse took one look at her and said Oh my, do you have something wrong with your liver. Dam Earl! Got pushed to top of list and in a room in 30 minutes.
Ultra sounds and cat scans and first pain meds. We got admitted and up to a room with the information that a possible procedure would be done as bile ducts were blocked. They were going to try to put a stent into one of the ducts that would accept it and get things moving. Docs were nervous about the small size of stent required but were pleasantly surprised when one went in easily and bile began to immediately flow. The other duct was too far blocked to even get a small duct in but the liver usually adjusts. This should keep things flowing.
The gastro Doc was a Minnesota graduate and a budding artist. He drew pictures on the board in the room to explain. We kept it up for days and told him he should not leave his day job for art-even though we used the picture often to explain the situation.
Nancy's brother Scott flew in to hold her hand. He stayed for 10 days and flew from here to Philly for Scott and Leslie wedding on the shore. We decided earlier that in spite of all our positive thoughts Earl had won this round and it would be too hard to go.
But in spite of Earl we attend via FaceTime. A beautiful bride, a handsome groom and a beautiful ceremony. Thanks Tim Wildermuth nephew in law and cameraman extraordinaire. And what handsome attendants Brien and Jason were!
So we got ahead of ourselves. We came home on Tuesday Sept 20 with Hospice care. Their job is to make living more comfortable by managing pain and daily routines. They have delivered a recliner and all the meds we need. Joyce is our nurse who comes weekly but is available if we need more.
Gotten meds adjusted so pain is much less. Sleeping more but still up and about with regularity.
Days of going out for to eat or meet folks are pretty much done but enjoying people stopping here for an hour or so.
Whoops almost forgot. One of our goals was to get to a Lynx playoff game. We put Earl in the trunk and made it to Xcel for Game 1 of the semis. The staff at the arena made it easy with our wheel chair to get to our seats. Lynx pounded Phoenix and went on to sweep the semi's. Sunday is game 1 of the finals. We are going to try.
And special thanks to Sue Mitchell for the surprise of Nancy's name in lights at the arena.
The sign says "Welcome to Tonights Game. Nancy Desmond Friends and Family"
Nancy's cousin Richard and his daughter Julia came from out west to visit last weekend. It was fun chatting about family memories. Thanks Richard and Julia.
Special niece Jami also came from Philly bringing lots of love and warmth and energy. Love you Jami.
Nancy has been carrying around a slab of wood about 4 ft long and several inches thick for 40 plus years. It was her grand fathers. Occasionally Sue would ask so what are you going to do with that wood. Several months ago it was decided a bench was a good idea. Master woodworker Jim Casurella was engaged and he and Nancy sorted out many ideas. Nancy kinda lost her ability to finish the project so Jim agreed to do so. Nancy and Sue found legs on the internet.
Saturday Jim arrived with a finished piece of beautiful wood. Under the watchful eyes of Nancy and Deb and their grandkids the legs were attached and thus the birth of a gorgeous bench.
It is in the living room and is admired daily.
This weekend the bride and groom are coming here to dance since we could not go there for the wedding. Many of you know that we asked on Facebook for songs that folks love to make up a playlist to dance to. Well, put on your dancing shoes cause we have 99 songs and over 6 hours of music. As varied as our friends and family they bring us joy and smiles.
Love to you all and we will think of you as we dance.
Nancy and Sue
PS Earl's gotta Die!
Days are much shorter. Nancy gets up later and very slowly. Still dressing daily but it takes lots of effort. Then down the stairs with Sue guiding the way. Ahhh, breakfast. What would one do with out graham crackers and milk, medicines and shots. Little apple juice or boost. Then its time for a nap or a little dance before a nap.
We also got out for flu shots. Not beautiful. But the hot chocolate treat at Caribou after was delicious.
We have many had special visitors. Nephew Scott and new wife Leslie came the weekend after their wedding. Since we could not make it to the wedding where Nancy was supposed to be a first dance with Scott the sweet hearts brought the dance to us. It was special to watch and brought tears to Sue and Leslie.
By the way we did attend the wedding via FaceTime thanks to Tim Wildermuth. It was great.
