No Good Deed

...goes unpunished.

Another Change

After a very long and arduous night Sunday, yesterday we changed Russell's medications dramatically. We changed anxiety medicine to a different anti-psychotic. We added another pain medication. Both of those were a good thing. His afternoon nap was almost six straight hours.

Pain Explained

The massive pain he felt on Sunday was the cancer pushing into his spine. It caused him to jump around and made him very agitated, as you can well imagine.

Monday, he was having a hard time moving his legs before his nap. When he awoke, he had lost the use of his legs. From what testing in which he would participate, his paralysis is from just above the waist.

Remember the Workout

I have begun some physical therapy with him. It is a similar beginner's therapy which I did with my sister when her multiple sclerosis took her from the chest down. For the first time, I am able to massage his uber-ticklish feet.

Simple changes, like the pillows from the couch helping to prop his legs and feet in the proper position, make a huge difference in his comfort level. Pain patches are no longer on his back, but adhered to the smooth skin on his sides: He asked I not shave his chest again. Yes, he is still in there!

A New Dawn

This morning, Russell's eyes were clearer than they had been in days. He was able to talk to me as though he understood the subject. He could not have coffee, like we have had so many mornings. Instead, he had a New York Mets sipper cup to have his Gatorade.

After a long time in the yard with Grandmomma and the dogs yesterday, the children enjoyed their first night in their remodeled room. They got to sleep in this morning. When they are awake and I have someone else here, I shall take them to school.

Today, Poppa and I shall finish their room, and I shall decorate with their favorite images of Spongebob Squarepants. Poppa is going to attach the headboard, and I am going to dress the bed in richly colored sheets. Each of their names will be on the wall, and each morning a new message for the day will appear on the dry erase wall. Truly, a den of learning!

We shall all enjoy today, for whatever it may bring.

Chin up!
Ann Marie

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