His wish is my command
Yaron was gung ho to take the ‘booze and cruise’ for a spin around the lake as soon as we arrived up north. He asked if I’d like to come along, but I declined, because I had a smoothie to prepare, not to mention dinner (it was 8:00 P.M.). He asked if Gilly would care to join him. I was floored when he answered affirmatively. He hasn’t been on the lake yet this summer, and I assumed that the motion would be difficult to tolerate, but I was oh so wrong. They took Liylah and cruised around for quite some time. Having the kids around is more than wonderful, let me tell you! Gilly responds enthusiastically to their offers and is more likely to move out of his comfort zone and try new (old) things.
We enjoyed a peaceful late evening with Yaron while the mad potters glazed feverishly for their upcoming Raku session, weather permitting.
Appetite was truly nonexistent yesterday. He consumed one piece of toast, 3 mini carrots, 3 chips and I’d say 2 tablespoons of barley pea soup. He had trouble getting the smoothies down as well. I tried upping the smoothie servings due to how little he ate, but he was totally disinterested. I went into Ste. Agathe today to get the special, fresh cheddar that he requested (amongst other new possibilities to tempt him with). “How come you don’t buy the cheese from Bourassa anymore?” he asked me at breakfast. I traditionally have this cheese on hand whenever we’re up north, but this summer he showed no interest when I purchased it, so I ate it (and I do not need the calories, let me tell you, but I hate waste). It’s very rich, so I decided not to buy it again. Well, needless to say, his wish was granted and he had some for lunch.
I had to literally drag Gilly out of bed this morning at noon. I tried to rouse him 4 times, but I stood there and insisted on the fourth. I walked over to the Freders and asked Sheryl to join him for breakfast, thinking he’d eat more if socializing. He ate no more than usual, but thankfully no less.
I had to work on him big time to have him agree to take a walk. While we were strolling along, he admitted that he simply couldn’t lift his head off the pillow this morning; it was so heavy. This concerns me. Is there swelling due to lack of steroids (he’s been off completely for about a week now), or could it be depression, or perhaps the chemo took a greater toll because he was taken off the steroid at the same time…maybe just 2 full days in hospital waiting rooms tired him out??? In any case, if this continues, I will call Erica and ask what I should do.
When we returned from an abbreviated walk, I insisted he do the workout that Thi demonstrated for us yesterday. We did it together; he used the elastic and I used the weights (which according to Thi amounts to the same thing, but the elastic is easier to control). I wore him out, but he rose to the occasion. He’s fast asleep now. I have the smoothie ready (I’m supposed to give it to him 1 hour after exercising), and I’m praying he agrees to have dinner as well. If so, the hunger strike is over. Everything is pushed up very late when he wakes up at noon, because I have to space his medication properly from meal to meal.
During the Raku session (which lasted the better part of the day), Gilly emerged and asked if the ladies needed any help. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term Raku, it is a Japanese primitive firing of ceramics, and my mom and Anne are hooked, and have been for 20 years now. The word Raku actually means ‘happiness,’ and it sure brings joy to those who partake (not to mention observers). They need muscle and extra pairs of hands to lift the kiln off of and onto the base where the fragile pieces are placed. Sadly, they were forced to decline his offer, since the kiln is rather heavy, and it is burning hot. He was invited him to watch instead, which he did for a spell. He probably could have mustered up the strength to manage the task, but his balance is poor, so it was too dangerous to chance. I was thrilled to see him come out to offer his services, though. He actually acted as their technological expert in years gone by and even fashioned some of their tools for them. Maybe next year, Gill.
We enjoyed a peaceful late evening with Yaron while the mad potters glazed feverishly for their upcoming Raku session, weather permitting.
Appetite was truly nonexistent yesterday. He consumed one piece of toast, 3 mini carrots, 3 chips and I’d say 2 tablespoons of barley pea soup. He had trouble getting the smoothies down as well. I tried upping the smoothie servings due to how little he ate, but he was totally disinterested. I went into Ste. Agathe today to get the special, fresh cheddar that he requested (amongst other new possibilities to tempt him with). “How come you don’t buy the cheese from Bourassa anymore?” he asked me at breakfast. I traditionally have this cheese on hand whenever we’re up north, but this summer he showed no interest when I purchased it, so I ate it (and I do not need the calories, let me tell you, but I hate waste). It’s very rich, so I decided not to buy it again. Well, needless to say, his wish was granted and he had some for lunch.
I had to literally drag Gilly out of bed this morning at noon. I tried to rouse him 4 times, but I stood there and insisted on the fourth. I walked over to the Freders and asked Sheryl to join him for breakfast, thinking he’d eat more if socializing. He ate no more than usual, but thankfully no less.
I had to work on him big time to have him agree to take a walk. While we were strolling along, he admitted that he simply couldn’t lift his head off the pillow this morning; it was so heavy. This concerns me. Is there swelling due to lack of steroids (he’s been off completely for about a week now), or could it be depression, or perhaps the chemo took a greater toll because he was taken off the steroid at the same time…maybe just 2 full days in hospital waiting rooms tired him out??? In any case, if this continues, I will call Erica and ask what I should do.
When we returned from an abbreviated walk, I insisted he do the workout that Thi demonstrated for us yesterday. We did it together; he used the elastic and I used the weights (which according to Thi amounts to the same thing, but the elastic is easier to control). I wore him out, but he rose to the occasion. He’s fast asleep now. I have the smoothie ready (I’m supposed to give it to him 1 hour after exercising), and I’m praying he agrees to have dinner as well. If so, the hunger strike is over. Everything is pushed up very late when he wakes up at noon, because I have to space his medication properly from meal to meal.
During the Raku session (which lasted the better part of the day), Gilly emerged and asked if the ladies needed any help. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term Raku, it is a Japanese primitive firing of ceramics, and my mom and Anne are hooked, and have been for 20 years now. The word Raku actually means ‘happiness,’ and it sure brings joy to those who partake (not to mention observers). They need muscle and extra pairs of hands to lift the kiln off of and onto the base where the fragile pieces are placed. Sadly, they were forced to decline his offer, since the kiln is rather heavy, and it is burning hot. He was invited him to watch instead, which he did for a spell. He probably could have mustered up the strength to manage the task, but his balance is poor, so it was too dangerous to chance. I was thrilled to see him come out to offer his services, though. He actually acted as their technological expert in years gone by and even fashioned some of their tools for them. Maybe next year, Gill.
posted by Gilly at 6:16 PM
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