Poor Al

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Who I am

I am only writing because the day has not been good so far. I have kept in touch with Hospice so much today.

Al has had terrible sweats, so bad I have had to do complete bed changes three times already. Hospice also upped his increase of water pills because his swelling has gone from the ankles to leaving pit marks half-way up to his knee. He wets so heavily now that I am keeping him only in his brief for today.

He didn’t want to get up for lunch but I encouraged him anyways. He refused lunch so I offered him an Ensure with ice-cream in it. He couldn’t drink it so I helped him so he could get it down.

He wanted to go back to bed. With all of the pain medications today he is finally sleeping. I hope when he wakes up he is feeling a bit better.

58 thoughts on “Poor Al”

authormandycarroll on July 20, 2013 at 3:50 pm said:

I have to say..you are doing a remarkable job with Al…you indeed are filled with love…I know this sounds simple, please continue to live in love…I face a paralyzing degenerative disease and I have no other with me on this journey. Blessings

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 20, 2013 at 4:20 pm said:
  
  that makes me sick that you are going through this alone. I am too pretty much. Our parents are deceased. It is Al and me left. My thoughts are with you, I am here anytime you want to talk and you can always email me. tellmenolies2004@yahoo.com
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
utesmile on July 20, 2013 at 3:51 pm said:

Big Cyber hug!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 20, 2013 at 4:20 pm said:
  
  Today??? I will take that hug
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - utesmile on July 20, 2013 at 5:03 pm said:
    
    Now and all day/night, what ever you have! ♥
    
    LikeLike
  - Terry on July 20, 2013 at 9:15 pm said:
    
    you are the best!!!!
    
    LikeLike
Alastair on July 20, 2013 at 3:54 pm said:

I don’t often pray for people Terry, but I am now.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 20, 2013 at 4:20 pm said:
  
  bless you Alastair, take some pretty flower pictures so I can smile
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Alastair on July 20, 2013 at 4:50 pm said:
    
    I’ll see what I can do
    
    LikeLike
viveka on July 20, 2013 at 4:03 pm said:

Terry, I guess he sweats because his heart is working hard – but not so strong as it should be, my mom got swollen legs too – they just increased the water pills .. but the reality was that it was her heart that need support .. because it was not strong enough to transfer the lymph fluid around in her body. When the change her medicine – she got legs like a 20 year old.
My thoughts are with you both.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 20, 2013 at 4:22 pm said:
  
  thanks Vivi, the M.S.A. doesn’t allow his heart to know how to beat correctly. The body furnace doesn’t work either causing him to sweat. Anything the body does with the help of the brain telling it to, has quit working due to this nasty illness. I want a hug, it has been a rough 24 hours
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - viveka on July 20, 2013 at 4:26 pm said:
    
    Here comes a big HUG … and a hard one. I’m sure it has been terrible for you and for AL too. I was all mental during my moms last weekend at home, felt so helpless .. and I felt sick over her situation. Terrible to just be a bystander.
    
    LikeLike
  - Terry on July 20, 2013 at 8:54 pm said:
    
    I think that is the hardest part, being the by stander. I can only imagine how you felt watching your Mum who you loved so much, compared to only a sister and brother. thank you for the hug
    
    LikeLike
e1aine on July 20, 2013 at 4:14 pm said:

I’m thinking of you both.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 20, 2013 at 4:22 pm said:
  
  thanks Elaine. Make a pretty cross necklace in blue. I would enjoy looking at it
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - e1aine on July 20, 2013 at 4:39 pm said:
    
    I will.
    
    LikeLike
letstalkaboutfamily on July 20, 2013 at 4:23 pm said:

Terry, I only clicked “like” to show support. I sure don’t “like” what is happening with Al and the pressure it puts on you. Hang in there. We are all with you in prayers.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 20, 2013 at 8:55 pm said:
  
  thank you so much my sweet friend. I so appreciate all of the support. it helps to keep my sanity
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
whisperingleavesblog on July 20, 2013 at 5:13 pm said:

Love Terry to you both. I don’t ‘like’ what you are writing, but admire and love the way you are carrying this burden. God bless both.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 20, 2013 at 9:09 pm said:
  
  thank you so much my friend. I am anxious for a new day
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
sharechair on July 20, 2013 at 5:19 pm said:

You are an incredible sister. Al, in spite of his illness, is one lucky fellow. Now many people get loved like this.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 20, 2013 at 9:10 pm said:
  
  I would wish that each person would get the love and attention they so deserve when they are ill. I hate the thought of anyone going through a terminal illness alone. thank u so much for the compliment
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
lenwilliamscarver on July 20, 2013 at 6:48 pm said:

I am in hospiyal myself but I am praying for you both.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 20, 2013 at 9:10 pm said:
  
  Oh my gosh. I am praying you are alright and will be home soon. Don’t bother commenting on my links, instead take care of yourself, big hugs
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Lori on July 20, 2013 at 7:12 pm said:

Stay strong terry, my thoughts are with you hon.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 20, 2013 at 8:23 pm said:
  
  thank you Lori, I am hanging on so tight today
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
godspoetbychoice on July 21, 2013 at 12:15 am said:

Hi, I just wanted to say what an incredible loving person you are. I face a couple of chronic diseases but they are nothing compared to what you are going through. I will pray for strength for both you and the person who is facing this all alone. I am sending you all the cyber hugs you can stand and when I pray I will ask the Lord to hug you tight so you can feel him. I hope tomorrow is a better day God Bless.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 21, 2013 at 12:18 am said:
  
  thank you so much God’s Poet. I so believe in prayers. The person I care for is my brother. Please stop by and chat anytime. I hope that your illness’s don’t keep you from living life. God be with you and watch over you every moment. hugs
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Beate on July 21, 2013 at 3:34 am said:

Make sure he drinks enough fluids. Food is not that important now, but water is. Praying for you to maintain your strength. You make sure you get enough rest. I work only 12 hours a day with my patient, but am so exhausted that I sleep 10 hours. This too will pass! God is good and will see us through! Praying!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 21, 2013 at 12:33 pm said:
  
  the water thing is something he has been turning a way lately. his feet and legs well so they have upped his doses of water pills. I somehow think he should replace what he is eliminating but the nurses don’t seem concerned as he gets water in other drinks. being a caregiver is not easy, but very rewarding, don’t you think?
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Sonel on July 21, 2013 at 4:20 am said:

Thinking of you and Al hon. Sending lots of *big hugs* for both of you. 😀

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 21, 2013 at 12:33 pm said:
  
  I so much appreciate your thought Sonel. Thank you for the hug
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Sonel on July 22, 2013 at 2:29 am said:
    
    You are very welcome hon. 😀 *more hugs* xxx
    
    LikeLike
thehappyhugger on July 21, 2013 at 5:26 am said:

I cant click on the “like”…thinking of you and Al, Terry.
*sending hugs and love*

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 21, 2013 at 12:34 pm said:
  
  big hugs to you Michelle for being so kind to Al and me
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
jmgoyder on July 21, 2013 at 7:24 am said:

I am worried for you.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 21, 2013 at 12:34 pm said:
  
  I am doing the best I can and I take as many breaks as I can. I am tired but hanging in here. Big hugs to you, my friend
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Shakti Ghosal on July 21, 2013 at 9:22 am said:

Hi Terry,

What could one say of what you are going through? I can sense that this blog offers you a great window to the outside. I can only pray for Al and wish both of you all the best.

Shakti

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 21, 2013 at 12:35 pm said:
  
  blogging is a very big healer for me. It helps get my thoughts together. I don’t know what I would do without it Shakti. I so appreciate the prayers, thank you
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Skye on July 21, 2013 at 10:14 am said:

Holding you in prayer, Sweet Terry. There are no words to describe how my heart feels for what you are going though…please just know that you are loved and cared for deeply. Skye

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 21, 2013 at 12:37 pm said:
  
  it is so nice to see your comment. Sometimes when I am deep in caring for Al, I wonder how I get through it. How do I see my brother’s tears, and pain and not fall apart. There is a part of me that is very emotional towards those who are hurting. There is also a part of me that somehow stays tough. For I know that if I don’t give my all, Al or other patients will surely suffer. thank you so much for your compassionate comment. Big hugs Skye
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Skye on July 21, 2013 at 4:16 pm said:
    
    I wish I could be there to help you through this. I would in a heartbeat. ((Not even sure where you live)) I am here if you ever need to talk. Big hugs! Skye
    
    LikeLike
  - Terry on July 21, 2013 at 4:30 pm said:
    
    thank you so much Skye. I have not been able to find a way to follow you as of yet. I am taken to your gravator but no information. I live in Indiana, and I thank you for being so considerate
    
    LikeLike
I HAVE A VOICE on July 21, 2013 at 4:56 pm said:

What can we or I do to serve you hon?

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 21, 2013 at 5:05 pm said:
  
  just be supportive as you are always doing. I so appreciate it. I run to my blogging when life gets tough and there you are………hugs. now if you lived near me, I would have you ride along so I can get Al out of the house and maybe take him to a restaurant,lol
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - I HAVE A VOICE on July 21, 2013 at 5:12 pm said:
    
    can’t you invite 2 friends over for sweet simple supper?
    
    LikeLike
  - Terry on July 21, 2013 at 5:34 pm said:
    
    i have two very dear friends but neither live close to me, but I wish they did
    
    LikeLike
Patty B on July 21, 2013 at 8:22 pm said:

I am so sorry you and Al are going through so much. I feel at a loss on what I can do for you. You are both forever in my prayers. Hugs dear friend.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on July 21, 2013 at 8:30 pm said:
  
  you do help me through letters, comments and prayers, and the biggest of all,friendship. thank you so much
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Patty B on July 22, 2013 at 7:23 pm said:
    
    Hugs to you and Al.
    
    LikeLike
Pingback: Daily Prompt; The Stat Connection | terry1954
Yoshiko on August 2, 2013 at 10:48 am said:

Hugs. Hope Al feel better upon waking up

On 21-Jul-2013, at 3:47 AM, terry1954 wrote:

> >

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on August 2, 2013 at 3:47 pm said:
  
  thanks Yoshiko. The next day was much better
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Yoshiko on August 4, 2013 at 6:06 am said:
    
    Glad to hear that
    
    LikeLike
Heartafire on August 12, 2013 at 7:57 pm said:

hugs too, I am in awe of your strength and kind heart.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Terry on August 12, 2013 at 8:04 pm said:
  
  Heart, I am just me. Nothing more or less. I do what I have to because I love my brother and I love God. Without the support of you and God I could do nothing. Thank you for a generous comment. hugs
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Heartafire on August 12, 2013 at 8:08 pm said:
    
    My best to you and Al, Terry, my thoughts are with you and all who placed in the situation of being caretaker, you deserve your wings.
    
    LikeLike
  - Terry on August 12, 2013 at 8:54 pm said:
    
    oh thank you so much. What heart felt words you have spoken to me. I could just hug you so big
    
    LikeLike