Although she continues to amaze us with the way she keeps going, Liz is quite low now. She is now experiencing some breakthrough pain that we are able to manage with well with medication. However she is very weary but still lucid whenever she is awake. She is aware of the people around her and recognises all who visit. We spend our days in quiet contemplation and hope for a speedy and peaceful end for our beloved Liz.
I have had a good friend, Carolyn, staying overnight for almost a week which has been great for me. Carolyn is now back at work but returning later in the week. Last night and tonight I have a night nurse here so that I can get some much needed sleep and be able to care for Liz during the day. Liz is being kept very comfortable. Thank you everyone for your ongoing support. We both appreciate that very much. Love Lynn
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Well who would have thought that Liz’s physical being would continue for this length of time on only ice blocks and the occasional coffee! Even Liz is amazed.
However there is a continuing deterioration in her condition and I see a downward progression – a bit more each day. Yet she still has a twinkle in her eye – she just hasn’t got much to say and rests peacefully. She remains very gracious about everything that is done for her and the continuing kindnesses expressed via the tributes and blog. Liz has asked that I thank you all…so ‘Thank you all’. Although we will not be celebrating Christmas this year we would like to wish all of you a very happy Christmas, especially if it’s family time, and remember to tell all your loved ones that you love them. Love Lynn (and Liz) I haven't put anything onto the blog lately because there has been little change in Liz's general state of health (or ill health!). However her physical abilities have changed - she does tire more readily and can no longer walk to the bathroom. She can stand on her unsteady pins for a few minutes. Unfortunately sometimes the movement causes her to upchuck - but she copes with that.
Liz continues to be gracious as she faces each day. She still enjoys to have people visit but I am restricting that a little bit at the moment because she gets so very tired. However if you are wanting to visit Liz please call and we'll sort a suitable time. Of course Liz continues to amaze me and many of you who have visited. Her strength of spirit is quite remarkable. Regards to you all Lynn Sunday 19th December 2010 Liz seems to have plateaued out this week. Her days are spent dozing on and off, listening to conversation around her and Liz making a pertinent comment when she catches the conversation. Nothing wrong with her hearing!
She continues to drink small amounts – mainly to hydrate her mouth – and the vomiting is not such a problem now. Pain is well managed and she is able to rest very comfortably and peacefully. Lynn Well the weather has changed and the temperature has cooled so the windows are closed and Liz is tucked up in bed enjoying the view. Liz has had a very comfortable day today. We only get her up once a day for a bathroom visit and she felt so good yesterday that she managed a shower and hair wash while up. Of course after that she was totally exhausted and slept the rest of the day. She hasn’t had any nausea or vomiting over the last 2 days so that helps her comfort levels. She continues to get weaker and frailer however the spirit is still strong – she amazes me each day. Some days she will be grey and gaunt, and I think that her time with us is nearly over. Then the next day she is bright eyed and talkative. It’s a roller coaster ride.
Thank you to all of you who support us both – it is heart warming to feel all that love and support coming our way. We both appreciate it very much. I enjoy reading your messages to Liz in the evening. Her memory is amazing – I will read the tribute or message without telling her who it’s from and usually she will have worked that out from some little snippet in the message. She will then go on to give me a history lesson, in quite some detail I might add, on a birth that took place sometime in the last 20 years, or someone’s dog or cat that she met in her midwifery travels!!! So keep up with the messages, I’m enjoying the history lessonsJ Love to you all. Lynn Liz rests very peacefully by day & sleeps soundly at night. She is but a shadow of herself as you can imagine – she doesn’t eat but still continues to take in fluid orally. This of course comes up eventually because of the obstruction. However Liz would rather manage the upchucking than have any further medical intervention. Between us we manage it well – “a few minutes discomfort is better than hours of it” says Liz. This lovely hot weather allows us to have the bedroom windows wide open and a gentle breeze floats around her. Liz continues to enjoy visitors (ring first though as this is being managed so that not too many visitors arrive on any one day) however she is not very talkative but she is a great listener. Liz also doesn’t mind if you just sit in silence and keep her company.
Thank you to all of you who have added a tribute to Liz. I read them to her each evening and we have many moments that cause us to pause and reflect on life – such is the eloquence of you all. Liz is a very humble person and is quite overwhelmed by what you have written. I’m not quite that humble so I say “keep writing them…!” Lynn Liz looked beautiful today. I had the privilege of visiting for a short time this afternoon. The sun was shining again - it was a glorious day and there was lovely flute music playing in the background.
Liz had been feeling very nauseous this morning and so meds have been altered to address this. So she had some discomfort to do with her digestion but for most of the day she rested/dozed and then woke for a bit and was still happy to chat but was a bit more vague. So much of the time when I was there we just sat silently together holding hands and I thought of all the wonderfully positive words that you have all said on this site, and I felt that that loving energy from all of you was there with us. Liz can't understand why her body won't let go when she gave herself permission a couple of weeks back..... We talked about how birth and death are so amazingly similar in many ways... you can encourage, but cannot control when or how they happen and that unpredicability is an unsettling thing.....it is the letting go for all of us that is hard. Liz is feeling very blessed by everyone's wishes from near and far..... Vida |
Liz & Lynn's Blog
This is where Liz and Lynn can talk about anything they want to, and where family and friends can post comments. Archives
January 2011
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