Taking Inventory

With the aid of a drug, Reglan, I can still eat small portions of chicken, potatoes, rice, pasta, eggs, cream o'wheat cereal, yogurt, molasses cookies, apple sauce and cooked zucchini. I can drink water, Gator-Ade and cranberry juice. I can sleep, in spite of a worsening skin rash, in the fetal position on my left side for an half hour at a time, occasionally even an hour, before I am awakened by musculoskeletal pain from lying in one position or by the need for a bowel movement. I can see well enough by peering to hunt-and-peck out this post, to read in good lighting and to watch television. I can concentrate well enough to read a newspaper article, though not a book. I can still work on the book with our editorial and design team for brief, intense stretches. I can still remember things, though sometimes I have real lapses in short term memory-- I am hoping such lapses are owing to the Reglan. I enjoy listening to music, mainly classical and jazz. I am strong enough to walk a few blocks, but I would have physical difficulty enduring another long wait in the Urgent Care Center. I can wear a loose polo shirt, though not a tee shirt or a dress shirt. In certain positions, if I am not too tired, I can sit pain-free in a comfortable chair for a couple of hours. Sometimes I have no fever, often I have only a mild fever and only rarely do I have chills and shakes. I am taking Tylenol now, but only when my temperature starts rising. I like getting emails from family and friends, and I check my CrackBerry often.

We interviewed home hospice services late last week and expect to sign a contract with one early this coming week.