My children to the rescue
It’s been a few days since I’ve written. Temodal sessions wear me out; the late nights are hard for me, because I have to fight the impulse to sleep, and I’m tuckered out. On Friday my mom kept me company late into the evening. Soon after she left, I went downstairs and gave Gilly the anti-nausea mediation, then set the timer for the Temodal. Bleary-eyed, I handed Gilly the final pills of the evening near midnight. He held the pills and water in his hands and appeared poised to take them. I bid him goodnight, went upstairs and immediately fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning Tamara was kind enough to come by and hang out with her dad to make sure he was served a proper lunch at around 1:00. I was invited to a brunch; just the ladies. When I hesitated the evening before, worrying that he would be off schedule if I missed his lunch period by getting home too late she offered to stay with Gilly. I was anticipating that final evening of chemo, and hoping not to have to be up so late. If lunch is late, so is dinner, and the cycle continues because 2 ½ hours of fasting before Temodal is key. I accepted her loving offer to assist me, partly because I knew her dad would love to have her company.
I arrived home around 2:00 to find Tamara, Max and Gilly looking very cozy as they lounged in the basement watching T.V. The beautiful, peaceful image was shattered when I looked at the coffee table and discovered that last night’s Temodal pills were still there. Gilly laughed it off and denied that these were the pills he was supposed to take.
I contacted the oncologist on call at the Jewish, and he advised me to simply extend the session for one more day. I reacted to this incident in an exaggerated manner; I felt responsible, angry, upset, exhausted emotionally and downright frustrated. I took to my room and wept for a while, just enough time to allow my extreme emotions to spill over onto Tamara. She was busy admonishing her father for laughing at what she saw as a serious situation, and tried to explain why I was distraught, but he continued to find it amusing. I finally calmed down and assured Tamara that he really does not understand the intricacies related to this medication and the time frames involved.
He is doing well through this 6 day Temodal session in every other way. He’s tired, which is expected, but his appetite has not waned at all. He is sociable and in good humour.
Yaron and his friend Chookie (not sure of the spelling) are doing a mitzvah this evening. They will take care of the pills. The instructions have been carefully laid out, and I’ve been told that form this moment on, I’m to go out and relax. Sharon suggested a movie and I’m on my way to pick her up.
The next morning Tamara was kind enough to come by and hang out with her dad to make sure he was served a proper lunch at around 1:00. I was invited to a brunch; just the ladies. When I hesitated the evening before, worrying that he would be off schedule if I missed his lunch period by getting home too late she offered to stay with Gilly. I was anticipating that final evening of chemo, and hoping not to have to be up so late. If lunch is late, so is dinner, and the cycle continues because 2 ½ hours of fasting before Temodal is key. I accepted her loving offer to assist me, partly because I knew her dad would love to have her company.
I arrived home around 2:00 to find Tamara, Max and Gilly looking very cozy as they lounged in the basement watching T.V. The beautiful, peaceful image was shattered when I looked at the coffee table and discovered that last night’s Temodal pills were still there. Gilly laughed it off and denied that these were the pills he was supposed to take.
I contacted the oncologist on call at the Jewish, and he advised me to simply extend the session for one more day. I reacted to this incident in an exaggerated manner; I felt responsible, angry, upset, exhausted emotionally and downright frustrated. I took to my room and wept for a while, just enough time to allow my extreme emotions to spill over onto Tamara. She was busy admonishing her father for laughing at what she saw as a serious situation, and tried to explain why I was distraught, but he continued to find it amusing. I finally calmed down and assured Tamara that he really does not understand the intricacies related to this medication and the time frames involved.
He is doing well through this 6 day Temodal session in every other way. He’s tired, which is expected, but his appetite has not waned at all. He is sociable and in good humour.
Yaron and his friend Chookie (not sure of the spelling) are doing a mitzvah this evening. They will take care of the pills. The instructions have been carefully laid out, and I’ve been told that form this moment on, I’m to go out and relax. Sharon suggested a movie and I’m on my way to pick her up.
posted by Gilly at 8:00 PM
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