Sunday Oct. 11, 09
My brother Ryan has been staying with Dad since last Wednesday and will stay until this Wednesday. This brings peace to us all as it is a very difficult time emotionally, psychologically and physically for Dad.

Val"s vital signs remain stable. Her oxygen is 6% , and Dad alternates 2-3 hours daily of the moisture added to the nasal cannula which doesn't seem to bring on her cough. A catheter was placed on Friday to allow Val to pee without getting out of bed and she continues to wear the diapers. The VNA nurse Mary and a home health aid gave Val a bath on Friday. Dad has signed up for this to occur every Friday. Val's morphine is now given every 6 hours (doubling the dose)instead of every three hours. Val was beginning to be bothered by the taste in her mouth. Val continues to eat only 3-4 bites at every meal and only when it is fed to her. She is drinking less now, not the three glasses of water a day any more.

Dad is still sleeping on the floor on his air mattress with an egg crate on top right next to her bed at night. Dad reports that since he changed the morphine to every 6 hours that she doesn't wake up in the middle of the night as much bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to talk.

Val continues to think that this (269 Windy wood Road) home is not her home. Val says to Ryan in multiple tries " I want to go find my home. Fuller is to go with us.". To Dad she says " I'm leaving soon and Fuller should come." I don't want to mislead anyone by writing that. Val cannot talk the phone, she still has a hard time speaking what she wants, or finishing a sentence and even getting her words out. Today, Val requested to go outside twice; once in the morning and once in the afternoon that Rudy and Lea witnessed. Dad and Ryan were able to get her in the wheelchair, bump it down the stairs and go outside in the driveway for 10 minutes each time with Fuller. Perhaps Val wants to see the outdoors again, perhaps Val is referring she is looking for her home in heaven or leaving to heaven soon. Everyone can interpret her words and actions as you may...we all must have faith and believe.

Love and prayers to Val always.......Salynn