Thank you to everyone who helped today; we have felt the support. Food, omputer help, visits, cards, and comments from the blog have all been very encouraging.
Corrine was surprised this afternoon with the visit of her older sister Pearly and her husband, Wayne. We heard about Corrine as a six year old wearing a beautiful blue dress her sister pressed for her and dancing around with a camisole. So I guess she has always been a vivacious girl! After hearing that story, Corrine told me she was looking forward to dancing in heaven because she's always had two left feet.
Corrine also had several other adoring fans come visit her. Susanna, Steve's wife, and two loving girls, Camille and Anna. They brought with them a load of energy as they climbed onto the bed to give hugs. Corrine's face lit up with joy as she expressed her love for them.
Corrine was able to take her evening medications and the nausea is under control for the time being, but breathing is beginning to slow and become less rhythmic. The pain has continued to be in control for the time being.
We know there is a crowd of angels waiting for Corrine and watching over us. Corrine wanted me to express her love to all of you and to tell you above all that "God is Good! And He loves you very much!"
Talk to you next year,
Angela
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Something you can do
Please feel free to post notes to Corrine using the blog. We can easily read these to her when she has energy. I'm sure she will find encouragement in your words.
To do this, click on the "# comments" link at the bottom of any post. At the bottom of the following page you can add a new comment.
Steve
Steve
Visitors, please read
Thankfully, it looks as if the pain has been managed since about 8 am, and we have anti-anxiety medications coming soon. We met Corrine's nurse, Shirley, who is very compasionate and clear... I feel we have a good basis of care-takers, and they are just a call away.
Corrine has had a very busy day, meeting with the social worker to discuss how to talk to young ones, business meetings, and meeting her new nurse and having a physical assesment.
All of this action has made her very tired.
Corrine is requesting that visitors be kept limited. So, if you are planning a visit, know that we are attempting to keep the place as quiet as possible for her. Please do not ring the bell, and meet with Don, Steve, or Angela before going to visit Corrine. We will let you know if she is sleeping, or if she would like you to step in for a short visit.
If you have talked with me previously about helping me with the things on the list, please plan on coming. I will be available.
Thank you, Angela
Corrine has had a very busy day, meeting with the social worker to discuss how to talk to young ones, business meetings, and meeting her new nurse and having a physical assesment.
All of this action has made her very tired.
Corrine is requesting that visitors be kept limited. So, if you are planning a visit, know that we are attempting to keep the place as quiet as possible for her. Please do not ring the bell, and meet with Don, Steve, or Angela before going to visit Corrine. We will let you know if she is sleeping, or if she would like you to step in for a short visit.
If you have talked with me previously about helping me with the things on the list, please plan on coming. I will be available.
Thank you, Angela
1st night at home
Well, we made is through our first night. Corrine woke up very frightened around 2am. She saw "a bright light, like fireworks going up in the sky." At her request, we called the hospice nurse and they responded immediately... the nurse drove right over. When she arrived Corrine had already calmed down a bit with Don and me at her side.
The hopice nurse decided not to do a complete assessment since movement causes pain and Corrine had found a comfortable position. The nurse did talk to the three of us and explained that Corrine was going through changes rapidly. The dreams, as well as the fear, are often part of that change. We were directed to talk to our regular nurse about anti-anxiety medication to keep her more comfortable.
As always, Corrine is showing her concern for others. She is concerned for her grand-children. So, we are going to talk with Hospice about how to best talk to younger children about her illness. Her grandchildren are 17, 5, 4, 3, and 2.
So, that's the plan for the day. I will try to keep this updated as possible... also, please keep your eyes open for "help needed" posts and call if you can help. We sure could use it.
Thanks,
-Angela
The hopice nurse decided not to do a complete assessment since movement causes pain and Corrine had found a comfortable position. The nurse did talk to the three of us and explained that Corrine was going through changes rapidly. The dreams, as well as the fear, are often part of that change. We were directed to talk to our regular nurse about anti-anxiety medication to keep her more comfortable.
As always, Corrine is showing her concern for others. She is concerned for her grand-children. So, we are going to talk with Hospice about how to best talk to younger children about her illness. Her grandchildren are 17, 5, 4, 3, and 2.
So, that's the plan for the day. I will try to keep this updated as possible... also, please keep your eyes open for "help needed" posts and call if you can help. We sure could use it.
Thanks,
-Angela
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Help Needed
1. Computer Skills: I need someone with good computer skills who can help create a medical chart to meet with me (Angela) personally and create a chart we can use to keep track of her medication. Thanks, we have this covered
2. Shake deliverer: Corrine likes a specific type of shake from the shop just a few miles from the house. I was hoping to get one delivered. Thanks, we have this covered
3. Personal Shopper: We need a few things that can be found at a super-market: Contact lense solution for soft contact lenses, Cytaphil lotion (the runny kind, not the thick kind), 2% milk, instant oatmeal, ripe avacado, Arboro rice (rice used to make rissoto) and apple juice.
Thanks, we have this covered
4. Baby Monitors: We would like to borrow a set of high quality, easy to operate baby monitors to help us better serve Corrine. Thanks, We have this covered!
PLEASE CALL (after 8am) for details and to set up a time!!!
I will try to make note here as soon as the request is filled... it is important to call so we don't get repeats.
By the way, please ask for Angela if I do not answer the phone.
Thank you!
2. Shake deliverer: Corrine likes a specific type of shake from the shop just a few miles from the house. I was hoping to get one delivered. Thanks, we have this covered
3. Personal Shopper: We need a few things that can be found at a super-market: Contact lense solution for soft contact lenses, Cytaphil lotion (the runny kind, not the thick kind), 2% milk, instant oatmeal, ripe avacado, Arboro rice (rice used to make rissoto) and apple juice.
Thanks, we have this covered
4. Baby Monitors: We would like to borrow a set of high quality, easy to operate baby monitors to help us better serve Corrine. Thanks, We have this covered!
PLEASE CALL (after 8am) for details and to set up a time!!!
I will try to make note here as soon as the request is filled... it is important to call so we don't get repeats.
By the way, please ask for Angela if I do not answer the phone.
Thank you!
Settled at Home
We have made Corrine as comfortable as possible in her new 'bedroom.' She has had a very hard day with the stress of coming home, getting all of the equipment bought or rented and placed appropriately, and getting used to her new care-givers (currently Don and Angela with help from friends and family). It is a steep learning curve! Thank you to everyone who made it happen.
We did finalize our relationship with Hospice and have already needed to contact the on-call nurse to get help with her pain control. They were very kind. One of Corrine's regular nurses meets with us tommorrow to further assess her progress and make adjustments as necessary.
Corrine was not able to eat today, but is still able to drink and swallow her pain medicine. We will see what tomorrow brings.
To be completely honest about her situation, the doctors are estimating her time with us to be very short (one doctor said it was likely to be a few days to a few weeks). That makes it a quick adjustment for those who love her.
As of right now, visitors are welcome (she really likes the support), but please call before you come... Thank you for your understanding!
-Angela
"Be Still and Know that I am God!"
We did finalize our relationship with Hospice and have already needed to contact the on-call nurse to get help with her pain control. They were very kind. One of Corrine's regular nurses meets with us tommorrow to further assess her progress and make adjustments as necessary.
Corrine was not able to eat today, but is still able to drink and swallow her pain medicine. We will see what tomorrow brings.
To be completely honest about her situation, the doctors are estimating her time with us to be very short (one doctor said it was likely to be a few days to a few weeks). That makes it a quick adjustment for those who love her.
As of right now, visitors are welcome (she really likes the support), but please call before you come... Thank you for your understanding!
-Angela
"Be Still and Know that I am God!"
Going Home to Arvada
Corrine has made some important decisions. She has decided to sign up with the local Lutheran Hospice and they have been working today to make coming home a good transition. Don is currently shuffling furnature to make room for the new hospital bed which will be delivered shortly. And her medications have already arrived.
She is going to be residing in the family room. She'll have a beautiful view of the mountains and lake, as well as the fireplace that also acts as great temperature control (it's gas).
Since Corrine will be home and someone will always be with her, we'll try to be good about answering calls. If we are unable to answer, please leave a message. And, you can also leave a 'comment' on the blog and we will be sure to read it to her. Corrine has been enjoying the cards and letters she has been getting and is encouraged to know people are praying for her as well as her family and friends.
I'm going to go get Corrine now (Tuesday around 2:00 pm) and she'll have just enough time to get settled before the Hospice team arrives.
She is going to be residing in the family room. She'll have a beautiful view of the mountains and lake, as well as the fireplace that also acts as great temperature control (it's gas).
Since Corrine will be home and someone will always be with her, we'll try to be good about answering calls. If we are unable to answer, please leave a message. And, you can also leave a 'comment' on the blog and we will be sure to read it to her. Corrine has been enjoying the cards and letters she has been getting and is encouraged to know people are praying for her as well as her family and friends.
I'm going to go get Corrine now (Tuesday around 2:00 pm) and she'll have just enough time to get settled before the Hospice team arrives.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Plans to Go Home
Corrine is currently at the hospital, but is scheduled to be discharged tomorrow. She was given 2 units of blood today, and it seems that the new pain regimen is working well. The tumor is proving to be very aggressive and is the cause of Corrine's internal bleeding. The doctors can not locate the specific source of the bleeding, nor can they stop the bleeding in any way. They also cannot be sure of the rate that she will continue to bleed. Currently Corrine seems to be losing blood at a 'moderate' rate. To put that in perspective, yesterday Corrine lost almost a full unit of blood. By God's grace, it seems Corrine may not have to face a long, drawn-out battle with cancer.
We met with the local Lutheran Hospice today and it looks like they will be a good match. They are close to home and come with good recommendations. Corrine is still in the process of making the final decision with the support of friends and family.
I have altered my plans and will continue to stay in Colorado so I can be as supportive as possible. In addition, my brother, Steve is planning to fly in on Wednesday.
Everyone is lending their support, which we really appreciate. Look for updates soon if you are looking for a way of supporting Corrine and her family. We will be creating a calendar and hope to find a more organized way for people to volunteer.
Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!
-Angela
We met with the local Lutheran Hospice today and it looks like they will be a good match. They are close to home and come with good recommendations. Corrine is still in the process of making the final decision with the support of friends and family.
I have altered my plans and will continue to stay in Colorado so I can be as supportive as possible. In addition, my brother, Steve is planning to fly in on Wednesday.
Everyone is lending their support, which we really appreciate. Look for updates soon if you are looking for a way of supporting Corrine and her family. We will be creating a calendar and hope to find a more organized way for people to volunteer.
Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!
-Angela
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A note from the creators of 'Loving Corrine'
Hello, I'm Angela and I'm Corrine's number one fan, I'm Corrine's Daughter! I know how important it is that you know about how the people you care about are doing. Because Corrine is loved by so many people, we want to make that process as easy as possible. We thought that by creating a blog we would eliminate the e-mail chain and make it easy for you to follow her progress day by day. My husband, Rod, set up this blog today and I will try to make entries as often as possible. Some days, other people may post in my stead.
I usually reside in Tacoma, WA but I am hoping to be with Corrine as much as I can as we all go on this journey together. Thank you for coming along. Your prayers and encouragement are felt!
So, here is the update...
Corrine has been at Good Samaritan Hospital since Friday for pain management. She is in the process of working with the doctors and nurses to find a regimen that will enable her to manage the pain with oral medications that can be monitored at home. We'll be meeting with doctors and in-home care-givers tomorrow and if all goes as planned, she may be released.
Corrine is in the process of making important decisions about hospice care. There are several programs offered by Kaiser (her health insurance). We recognize the importance of this decision and pray the right hospice for her will surface.
For now, Corrine is celebrating Steve, Susanna, Camille and Anna's (son and family) decision to move to Arvada for a month. Due to Steve's ability to work from anywhere, and their desire to be close, they have sub-letted (rented) a place in Old Town, Arvada. Some shopping may be necessary to have the clothing appropriate for Colorado climate, since Chico, California doesn't get much snow. They are looking forward to spending time with friends and family in the Colorado area.
We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more.
-Angela
I usually reside in Tacoma, WA but I am hoping to be with Corrine as much as I can as we all go on this journey together. Thank you for coming along. Your prayers and encouragement are felt!
So, here is the update...
Corrine has been at Good Samaritan Hospital since Friday for pain management. She is in the process of working with the doctors and nurses to find a regimen that will enable her to manage the pain with oral medications that can be monitored at home. We'll be meeting with doctors and in-home care-givers tomorrow and if all goes as planned, she may be released.
Corrine is in the process of making important decisions about hospice care. There are several programs offered by Kaiser (her health insurance). We recognize the importance of this decision and pray the right hospice for her will surface.
For now, Corrine is celebrating Steve, Susanna, Camille and Anna's (son and family) decision to move to Arvada for a month. Due to Steve's ability to work from anywhere, and their desire to be close, they have sub-letted (rented) a place in Old Town, Arvada. Some shopping may be necessary to have the clothing appropriate for Colorado climate, since Chico, California doesn't get much snow. They are looking forward to spending time with friends and family in the Colorado area.
We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more.
-Angela
Purpose of this Blog
We created this blog as a way to help keep you—Corrine's family and friends—informed about her health and related challenges as they unfold. Things change so quickly, it's hard to let all of you know where things stand at any given time. We'll keep it updated as best we can.
Thank you for the prayers, help, and other support you've already given. Please keep them coming.
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