From Kuwait….

Dear Shaikha, you are so right, life is too short and too precious and I have said that if the world took a look at our ‘family’ on this Board the world would be a better place. So, many people from so many countries and so many religions and here we are one big family showing love and caring with every post. World, take a good look at us! Hang in there and be strong.

Shaikha –
I do understand what you are going through. I lost my husband just a month ago. We had been married for 13 years. He was me best friend. Tears are so very normal. I have had many myself of the last couple of months. I am only 45, We are both too young.
My hsuabnd went so quickly from being healthy and fine to passing on that he did skip some of Lainy’s signs but as a nurse I can tell you most people follow them closely. I like the fact that he see!s to have his pain controlled. If he is not already taking oxygen you may have him start some…the docs can order it. As the fluid builds up in his tummy it can cause some shortness or breath. Don’t worry too much about the swelling in his legs while it is ugly it will not really harm him. You said his balls were swollen….just make sure he is passing urine. So!etimes that swelling can make passig urine difficult and he may need a catheter.
As Lainy said too You don’t know how strong you are until strong is your only choice. I have said that many times.

KrisV

I just sent it and just so you know my Teddy followed it pretty closely starting at about 2 weeks before the last of his journey. I believe that the more we prepare and know the less frightening it is. You are very brave and to do this in a strange country adds fright to the situation but know we are all here for you.

Dear Shaikha, what a terrible and frightening journey you are on. Mayo Clinic is one of the best places to be. I am a firm believer that the more one knows the less frightening it is and if you want, I have a list of what to look for when the end is near. If you email me from this forum just click on my name to the left and my email will appear and ask me and I will send the list. You are not alone as we are all with you. You never know how strong you are until “strong” is the only choice you have!

Shaikha –
Wow, you have been through a lot and to be so far away from home too. I am sorry that you are not going to be able to donate. I am very sorry that you had to find this family but we will be good support for you as you both go through this.

You posted in hospice and palliative care so I am really hoping that you have someone coming in from hospice or palliative care to help you through this. It sounds like his disease has gotten much worse over the past few months. You are doing the right thing in keeping him well medicated with the morphine and dilaudid. Those are both good meds.

It is possible that he is seeing someone that you can not see. It may be a hallucination which can be caused by the pain medications. As long as he is not getting very upset about them. A lot of people have them and they can be ones you see or hear but it can also be smells, taste or touch. For the most part they are memories that are being seen over reality. My husband had a few of them close to the end but they weren’t too bad.

Hope this helps. If you need you can email me at dazoo3563@comcast.net

KrisV