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
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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 Dear Liz is frustrated by the ‘waiting around’. She is mentally ready to leave but her physical being hasn’t quite got that message yet!
Liz is still able to get up with assistance but the length of time she is up can now be measured in minutes not hours. She is peaceful and sleeps a lot of the time – she is aware of all her visitors and the people around her and joins in the conversation when her energy is there. Otherwise she rests. She continues to be pain free – that is her pain is managed by the pump. Lynn Liz having an up and down day today. Started off very tired and nauseous but managed to get the nausea under control. Has been up for a short time and has also enjoyed some visitors today. Now getting into some serious resting!
Liz not so bright first thing this morning but has settled now.
Some students are visiting for a short time this afternoon and Jeanie Douche is also coming. Otherwise only family today and none tomorrow. Lynn Liz continues with a very strong spirit but is getting weaker and frailer physically. She gets very frustrated by this frailty feeling as though she is in limbo. Liz is still able to get up with assistance but her time up is greatly reduced now. She rests comfortably and continues to be pain free.
Lynn I had the pleasure of seeing Liz and Lynn briefly today with my 21 month old daughter Phoebe who often, in her short life, has sat on Liz's knee, and Lynn asked me to post here to update everyone.
Liz is resting in her bed with a wonderful view over to Wellington harbour, and today was a beautifully sunny day. Liz has had a few spasms of pain in the last couple of days so meds have been upped slightly and she is now comfortable again. Liz is obviously thinner and paler but she still has those wonderful bright "with-it" eyes, but sadly I can see that brightness is fading some since I last saw her (at the garden bee a week or so ago). As Lynn said previously, Liz is happy to chat, but very tired, so dozing often. Liz wants everyone to know that she is feeling humbled by all the support and words that people have been giving/sending. She said today, "I've had a good life and have been blessed for having all these many people share it with me". She says she is not going to leave too soon, but when I asked if she thought she could hang on until Christmas (which was one of her original hopes) she replied, no, but maybe another week or so..... They have had lots of lovely family (some of whom are returning home this week) and friends visiting and from this point on, Lynn is planning some alone time every other day (starting from Wednesday 24th Nov) as Liz and Lynn need some time to be together and savour each day they have left ... so please do call or text Lynn 027 232 4875 before you visit to make sure that it is a convenient time for both of them. Best wishes to you all.... Vida Liz remains stable and pain free. She has had lots of family visiting over the past few days. Although she tires quickly she is always pleased to see people and chat (she says that they just have to put up with her falling asleep mid-sentence). Liz manages to get up with help each day and walk a bit. Those skinny pins of hers aren't always steady so we always have someone around to help her out.
Unfortunately Liz does not have an appetite and only eats a few mouthfuls of solids a day - she is however drinking a little more than that! She is very frail but hears a pin drop and still gives very clear instructions on the little jobs that I need to be doing!!! Thank you to all of you who have posted tributes and comments, sent texts and emails, and have phoned with messages of love and support for Liz, and offers of assistance as and when we should need. Lynn |
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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