Tuesday, June 21, 2016: Sharing kid memories

Father's Day weekend: Scott, Helen, and Ender traveled from Kirkland.  We got to see them Saturday and Sunday; Dianne and 'her man' Mike also came Sunday.

Scott sat with his Dad and related some of the adventures and vacations they had in Scott's youth.  Camping trips, some with the Scout troop.  One in the snow, and snowshoeing. Family camping at Blue Lake.  River trips, with white water rafts, kayaks, or jet boats. The hard work of a snow ski lesson at Mount Bachelor, without a tow rope, and having to walk up the hill for just a short slide down. Bicycling while camping at Silver Creek Falls (and not remembering he stopped his father's heart when he sped right across the highway without so much as a glance for any traffic). Horses at Sunriver and at Kahneetah. A week in Washington DC.  College campus tours in California. 

Dianne remembered Pamela Lake, which brought up the question, where is that?  Google Maps revealed it as Santiam Pass, between Detroit and Marion Forks, the southwest foot of Mount Jefferson.  Easy walk for them as kids. Something about a big log in the water - I think they all climbed up and it spun them into the water.

Memories.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

In April, our doctor told us she would write the order for hospice any time we were ready.  Today I made the call.  Hospice care will be through Willamette Valley Hospice, with Mike staying at home.   We are hopeful for good pain management.  Mike is currently using a lot of Lidocaine for the mouth and throat pain. Surely there are other options.

He's lost about 25 pounds in the last three months.  Or, really, the loss was in two of the last three months, given he had a month of nutrition-by-tube.

He is still enjoying the visits and phone calls from family and friends. Lots of naps.  And some 'sundowning,' which can be quite interesting.  

Friday, June 3, 2016: No appointment

Sorry, there was no appointment with the doctor on Tuesday.  Well, he had an appointment scheduled but it got canceled.  Primary care is referring Mike back to oncology for the discussion Mike wants to have - and get some prognosis on the timeframe, if the doctor can make one.