welcome back janine!

i am feeling much better about things. janine was here almost 2 hours this morning and i think we're at least on the right track.

russ slept soundly until about 5:30am when he started sounding very congested again. by the time janine arrived he had not been able to cough at all to clear it. she applied a third scopolomine patch to help decrease the secretions. it will take about 8 hours to kick in so in the mean time we will give russ atropine 2 drops every 2 hours to also help decrease the secretions causing the throat and pulmonary congestion. what is already there he will have to cough up or evaporate.

we also talked about what i may or may not see and what possibly to expect. even though she is very honest about it she explains things in such a soft and caring way that makes it easier to hear. i had been telling bob i wanted him present because lately even though i'm a RN, when it hits so personally, 2 sets of ears are better than one. bob continues to be my rock and sounding board.

janine then had suggestions about positioning him and putting pillows under the mattress at the foot of the bed to elevate it and take pressure off the knees and feet. it made sense yet i'm not sure i would have thought of it.

victoria, russ' aide arrived before lunch and stated she already had russ on for the 5days/week now. amazing how a simple phone call can help. i helped her bathe and shampoo and shave russ. he really looks and smells good now. he was able to cough hard a few times so i think he cleared some of the congestion out. he has been dozing all morning but looks very comfortable. now that he is all cleaned up, he looks as if nothing is wrong with him, so peaceful. i pray that as his final journey comes to an end we can keep him that way. with janine, victoria, joann (his home health aide that helps me late afternoons or evenings) and most of all God, i'm beginning to have a good feeling that we can.