Sherk Update 3 – Dec 4-11.

 Post 3 – Dec 4-11.

Hello family and friends,

We thought we would share with you what a typical day has been for us on a journey.  First thing is that there seems to be no “typical” day.  Expect the unexpected.  In our short but intense journey there is ambiguity and ‘making sense’ of what we are experiencing is elusive.  So far.  

Nonetheless, here is our attempt at describing a type of day that is not a chemo treatment day (that’s another post).   Let’s start at 9:00pm and go from there.

• 9pm to 4am or so – Sharon sleeps…kind of.  Generally, sleeping and rest comes and goes throughout the overnight and throughout the day.  2 hours of deep sleep is good.  Rest is best when Sharon has had hydration, by way of saline solution, given in our home by nurses, three times week. Often awake at 4 am and alert. Sleep is also dependent on whether Sharon is in pain or is experiencing nausea or just must go to the bathroom. Sharon is using a walker in our home to get around.  A middle of the night trip includes having to travel with the morphine pump.  

• 7am ish – Breakfast boost juice, cereal, cut up fruit (with no seeds).  Half hour before breakfast Sharon takes a couple of types of meds to curb reflux and to help with energy, appetite etc.  Often Breakfast is in bed! 

• 9am.  Getting dressed and bathed – An exhausting activity.  Something so simple just a couple of months ago is now a fitness event.  

• 10amish.  Visit from LHIN nurses – these Angels on earth, come and check Sharon’s vitals, give hydration, check her morphine pump (working right, battery charged, dosage correct), change her dressing on her PICC line and generally care under the premise of “How are you feeling?” and checking for symptom management.  Hydration lasts for 2.5 hrs. and then Dean (yup Dean) disconnects the saline solution.  Sharon might be enjoying some reading during this time.

• 12:30pm. Lunch – Grilled cheese is a favourite currently. Sharon is on a low fibre diet to avoid blockage in the colon.  

• 2pm – Rest, Read, Sleep, talk, not necessarily in that order.  We talk about many things – you, our family, and friends.  We are floored by your care and generosity – thank you!!!!  Although we are praying for a miracle and remission, we have had hard chats about an unknown future and what might Sharon’s wishes be if…    What about our kids? What about Dad (me)?  What about extended family…our mom’s etc.  Despite fatigue, priorities seem to come into focus in our conversation.  Praxis of values, beliefs, purpose… and being good news are common topics of our chats. Forgiveness is a current topic of struggle right now. 

• 5-7pm – Supper – Often brought to us by precious people who are part of the mealtrain. mealtrain.com/l6525d We will be adding new dates for January (next week).  Many gifts have come by way of meals.  Thank you again.  

• 7pm to 9pm – getting ready for bed.  Sometimes there are short visits or phone calls, or face time or a little more reading.  Going to bed is tiresome. Take meds that are necessary. Prayers!  Sharon and I will take a moment, at bedside, and pray… for rest, for strength, health, and wholeness, and for our hearts desire – healing – a miracle.  We often thank God for you as we do right now.     

You are so appreciated!  

Love Sharon and Dean