UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!! The Home Hospice Nurses came yesterday(yeah on a Sunday) to rearrange and increase Margi's pain meds and got the new ones delivered on that same Sunday. This has helped a lot. God Bless the Angels of Mercy. However, I hope that yawl never need them. Jason
So glad to hear that you have people to help take care of your lady.....wishing you both peace and happiness in 2014 Stay strong brother
Jason, As we go into the New Year, I am wishing you the best for 2014, your courage and willingness to share in this trying time, makes me glad to know you on M/A. Best to the family, warm thoughts to your Lady. Don
Courage. Y'all talk about it in this situation. I have to admit that it was given to Margi and I from those who came before us. Mrs Mitchell (Margi's Mom) has buried 3 going on 4 children and her husband and she continues to drive on(and yes Jason and Mother-in-law get along well together). My Mother lived through the 'London Blitz' during WWII and would cheerily tell us stories about getting blasted out of houses and the truly odd things that happen like the time that an elderly lady was blown out of her house while in the bath tub. Mother said that the tub was still full of water and that the lady was calmly 'directing traffic.' "You! Young man. Turn your back and give me your coat. You Bobby!(a policeman) Help me up."When my Dad died she raised we 3 children without any help other that $30/month/child from the VA. I haven't come by courage naturally, I got it from those who came before me and from the Lord God(or good vibes/good karma for the diverse believers). These days however I get the courage from all of you here at MA. Y'all are a very strong and loving crowd. Jason, Lady Margi, MINI Margi
Jason, the year may have changed but that's all. I'm sure we're all busy keeping you and Margi in our prayers. All the best to you two. Your courage is very admirable. You're my hero, my friend. I'm sure Margi draws upon your energy as well. Keep up the good work. Please kiss Lady Margi for all of us please.
UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pain control in pancreatic cancer, at least in Margi's case. The pancreas is located in the upper middle of the abdomen towards the rear. That is probably why a lot of the pain of pancreatic cancer is referred to the back close to the junction of the thoracic and lumbar spines(there could be metastasis here also). Tonight which now encompasses last night and this morning, Margi asked whether I could massage her back to help relieve some of the pain. Yes Ma'am, I sure will. Warming my hands and massaging in liniment type lotion from upper thoracic to lower lumbar areas within 10in of each side of the spine, I discovered that the lat. muscles were swollen, tender, and spasming(ever had a swimmers cramp in your legs, this is the same mechanism). To deal with muscle spasm requires gentle but gradually increasing longitudinal massage pressure from end to end(the length of the muscle) on the spasming muscle. Approximately 10sec on each muscle gradually bilaterally up and down the spine to hit all the muscles. Even if only one side is spasming, one MUST massage both sides. Massaging the spasming muscles (lighten initial pressure if needed then gradually increase) gradually stops the spasm, releases natural endorphins, and yields a significant relief of pain. This can be helped immensely with Aleve(long acting, Motrin is not) tablets. This is because muscle spasm involves inflammation and narcotics due not relieve inflammation. At any rate Margi, who was counting the minutes until her next dose of pain med has now been asleep for several hours. I won't forget that the next time Margi is hurting that badly. Jason
And anything you can do to help also helps you immensely. She is very blessed to have you with her. I hope you both continue to find new ways to ease your pain. And you have made us all stop and be thankful for the ones we have beside us. For that we thank you both.
:cornut: UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After the massage, Margi slept for 9hrs right through her scheduled pain med dose at 3am. When she woke up this morning, she felt so much better and so did I(as Herleman said above). I think that the Lord interceded and guided my hands but that's just me. Jason
Jason it is great to hear that you have helped your wife with the massage. Margi and you are warriors and a true inspiration
^^ This and I am sending more prayer for you and Margi. Now you need to get off of M/A and Google to some Massage Forums. (Hope that made you guys smile today) Don't worry about us all of M/A will always be here for you and Margi.
I could say more but your friends here on M/A are doing a great job, God Bless, Jason... Best to you both, I hope God brings relief to both of you, always has been a guide and will be forever. Don
UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Home Hospice Nurse was here today and she and Margi thought that a hospital bed is in order due to Margi's weakened state. Hospice is working on that. Some would now say, " see! I told you prayer wouldn't help." They are wrong. The prayers are helping immensely. Keep them coming. Jason