Friday, May 10, 2013

Friday, May 10, 2013


Penny continues to rest comfortably at home most days.  The past two weeks she has had doctor’s appointments in Bakersfield on Thursdays and Fridays in preparation for treatment.  She will be undergoing radiation and chemotherapy concurrently, probably beginning in ten days to two weeks.  Yesterday she had new CT scans and MRIs taken so that the radial oncologist can plan her treatment with the most recent information on the locations of her cancer.  She wears a helmet every time she is out of bed, and yesterday that was adjusted so it is much more comfortable for her.  As of this weekend she is no longer under hospice care.  Optimal has switched her over to their home health division, so we will be getting to know a different set of nurses and aides. Penny is still answering her phones, although sometimes she has a hard time answering them before the call goes to voicemail.  She is still looking at Facebook and reads everything that people post.  She really appreciates your comments on her page.  Last weekend, Mike and Kirsten arranged for her to watch part of one of her grandson’s baseball games, which she thoroughly enjoyed.  She enjoys receiving cards and letters too.  They brighten up her day.  Another bright spot- one of the families from church has let Penny borrow a lift chair for the TV room. The lift chair will give her another place to sit down in the house, even when Terry is the only other person home. Without the lift, it takes two strong people to get her out of the chairs at their home.  This situation has limited her ability to relax outside of her bed.  Now, thanks to the Chickerings, she will be able to have a change of setting.  Thank you!  And thank you to all of you who have served her and Terry by sitting with in the afternoons and evenings.  You have been such a great help!  

Karinne

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