OK, Hi everyone,
Saturday, 11:30am and Anne is comfortable being hydrated at MMC, in the ol' Gibson Pavillion.  When they first hooked her up she felt sick, but she got past that.  It's a nice facility we are familiar with from 2 years back.  We're high over Portland on a sunny day with a beautiful view.  I wish Anne was more in the mood to take it in and enjoy it.  Some other time.... 

Last night Anne really enjoyed the Holiday Celebration put on by her peers at the Town Hall.  Lot's of folks did alot of work to make that happen and it was a real good time.  Anne didn't make it to the end.  We rushed out early after the meal.  She wasn't feeling well but she attended, she was proud to have made it, and I'm glad she did. It was time well spent.  I'm sure she felt alot of love all around her. Thanks to Tom for helping us get to the car on the way out.  What a gentleman!

On the way home, again last night, she was awful sick for the ride.  Then it was a long walk from the driveway to her living room chair.  Got her calmed down with the TV on, then she woke at 10pm, doing pretty well.  I let her go into bed by herself.  It was a big deal.  Before, while the chemo was running she couldn't even walk from the living room to the bedroom, so she was better than that now, and felt accomplished I'm sure. 

Ten minutes later I checked on her and she was on the edge of the bed, doubled over, struggling in pain again.  It seemed she took her nightly meds as usual and began to suffer.  She enjoyed the food at the event earlier, said she didn't eat very much, but that may be taking it's toll on her now.  It's hard to tell.  Drugs finally calmed her down so she could sleep.

No matter how poorly she felt, I'm sure that Anne completed her nightly bedtime ritual with Beasley, our cat.  It involves treats, shaking both right and left paws over and over on command, and giving high fives to each other.  It's a real fun show.  Anne is truly amazing when it comes to raising and relating to our pets.  She trained them, they're an important part of her life, and their routines are serious business in this house, so as for them being well behaved.  I've learned alot from her. Incredible stuff.

We were up twice overnight, 2am and 5am.  She needed meds both times.  I've been afraid and cautious with the Ativan because of the warnings that it is dangerously habit forming.  However, we've learned here from the RN this morning that her pills are of a low dose, .5mg, and that 2 pills could be taken together on the schedule on the jar.  It does say 'take 1' tho, darnit.  Duh, it really pays to ask alot of questions, and to use the drugs appropriately to manage her pain.  We keep learning.

You guessed it, she was uncomfortable at home after waking up this morning (Sat.), and it was so for an hour or more till we left to come here to MMC for the 10:30 hydration appointment.  Once here they administered Zofran and decadron for anti-nausea, then the 2 hour dose of sodium chloride was started.  It's the big bag of fluid that Anne sometimes refers to as 'a lobster roll', or 'steak and potatoes'.  Gotta keep you're sense of humor.

She began to squirm and fuss in pain right after the infusion started, so I reported it.  Anne stated that the Ativan is the only thing that really helps.  This is when the RN explained that it's ok to use 2 of them.  We took another one (one was taken in the car on the way in), and soon the frown turned to a bit of a low stress smile.  Now she is in dreamland.  I pray she'll continue t improve this weekend, and have a good week ahead. 

Remember, on Friday she has another surgery (arthroscopic (sp??))scheduled to fix the incisional hernia.  She'll get thru it, but it's hard to look forward to the next 2 months with chemo happening every 2 weeks, perhaps making making her 'pay' for 4-5 days each time.  Doesn't seem fair that she 'pays the price' when she eats too.  This is the 'battle' everyone talks about, she knows it, and she's super strong and courageous.  Lord forbid she tries to take too much without complaining.  That's not one of her strengths.  I pray she speaks up every time she needs to.

I hear her snoring now, her face is relaxed, a good thing.

More later, all out love to you all.