Saturday night in Discovery Bay

Dear Family and Friends,

This has been a day with some ups, some downs but still a decent day. As you know Keanna had a sleep over last night. I managed to get her room clean enough that she could reach her bed and have some comfort there. Jan helped her take a bath and got her ready for bed after feeding her dinner. Nan enjoyed pop in visits from Keanna to check on her Grammy. Finally it grew quiet as Keanna settled down for the night. Nan had one of the roughest nights she has ever had in her life. Pain controlled her left leg, knee foot and thigh. No amount of rubbing could take away the pain for long. She was awake at 4 when 12 hours had passed and she could have the second infusion of the antibiotic which will help her leg pain. She was ready and did not want to miss it or delay it. So at 4 this morning we infused the medicine and then tried to go back to sleep. Poor Nan was awake more than asleep with pain and vomiting. Finally this morning early on she began to sleep. We had belgium waffles for breakfast and shortly after breakfast we were startled to hear the sounds of the stair chair. Nan had got herself up, had the TPN bag in hand was coming down the stair chair. She stayed downstairs in her recliner all day and actually slept very little but hourly bouts of nausea ruined the joy of the day for her. Keanna fed geese, ducks and a big carp or bass with crackers, she and Jan played games, watched videos and both Jan and I took turns taking her to the park to play. Mid afternoon Nikki came to pick her up in her new Pilot, what a nice ride that is and I'm so happy for she and Steve, nice choice.

Late afternoon Nan decided to head up to take a big rest and did so. We heard nothing from her for a couple hours. Then Jan got pizza and a movie for the evening and now we are all either sleeping or getting close to it. It is almost impossible to believe that Jan's visit is almost over already. She has been such an inspiration and help for Nan, rubbing her leg and foot by the hour, getting her crushed ice, helping her with her pillows, Jan has been a wonderful help to Nan and I've eaten better too, real meals!

I'm not yet sure how I will cover Nan on monday morning. I will have to leave by 5:30 or 6 to get Jan to the airport in time to go through nasty monday security and to her plane on time and yet have Nan covered with help. Terry the visiting nurse will arrive around 8 to 8:30 to take vitals, blood work and that will help care for Nan until I get back.

I am going to Fairfield and Richmond tomorrow to do appraisal work while Jan is here to be with Nan to help her if she needs anything.

This evening we think we see an improvement in the pain in the leg, knee and foot but the nausea is no better, perhaps worse. We do the meds which are supposed to be wonderful at helping and yet she is hit with waves of nausea over and over. It just breaks my heart to see her so miserable and ill.

We are very grateful today to our Heavenly Father for another reason. Enough money came in the mail from clients today to cover all the payroll. What a special blessing that is and what a relief. Its never enough but it sure beats an empty mailbox. Thank you Lord.

I just want to say a special thanks to people who have visited recently, first our wonderful kids, Sylvia, Yvonne, Barbara, Jan, Mary and Jan. Your investment in Nan is wonderful and appreciated deeply.

Please ask God to provide a way out of the wilderness of nausea for Nan so she can eat and feel better. We are growing more desperate every day not knowing what to do next for it.

Praying for a real turnaround tomorrow!

love from tim and nan and jan

ps Jan tried a Sharon proven remedy, wrap the limb in plastic, what ever, her leg is better tonight!