Grandma has been handling the chemo well. We’re trying to slow the growth of the major tumor so that there are no blockages. She’s not supposed to eat meat, but we want her to enjoy life (along with the fact that we’re glad she’s eating at all because she has no appetite) so we let her.
Most days are unplanned, just seeing how she’s feeling before we decide to do anything.
I’m beginning to sleep a little better now. For the first week and a half, I’d still wake up in the middle of the night, unable to fall asleep again even though I’d be completely exhausted from jet lag and walking around all day. I’m not sure if I’m just getting used to the day/night pattern, or the fact that I’m tapering off one of my colitis medications which has sleeplessness as one of the side effects.
So the current schedule is:
- Wake up around 7:30
- Eat breakfast
- Watch TV with grandma
- Fall asleep on the couch — The windows are left open all the time and the air is relatively cool in the morning, so i’ll just let myself succumb to the breeze and drowsiness. Normally I need to be lying down, wearing a sleep mask, but not in this case. These naps are awesome.
- Eat lunch
- An activity with grandma if she’s feeling up to it — this can be a walk to the park, getting her hair done and her feet massaged, or a walk to a restaurant
- Afternoon tea — Snacks can be sweet, salty, or both
- A chance to write, work on pictures, or edit videos because grandma takes a nap
- Have dinner
- Hang out with guests/family
- Watch TV — There are two shows that seem to be big right now that my family enjoys watching; an undercover cop television drama, and a Chinese fantasy called “Big Winter Melon”. I’m really getting into the former because it’s well written with lots of intensity (although the directing style is so out-dated by Hollywood standards). The latter is another story…I’ve tried watching a few episodes and still can’t figure out what’s going on, or even if it’s a comedy or drama.
- Shower (a nice way to cool off before going to bed)
- Some more writing while everyone is asleep.
It’s been an endless cycle of people coming through the house, whether it’s family or friends, dinner or tea, a chat or a visit. Spending time with them leaves me somewhat lackadaisical. I don’t want to be anti-social and get up to do something else, but I’m rarely involved in any of the conversations, and the topics are often vapid.
Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to hang out with my Uncle Joe much because I’m trying spend as much time with grandma as possible, but next week should offer a better opportunity. I hope to do more exploring then.
It’s certainly a bittersweet existence here. Being in Hong Kong again fills me with wonder, but seeing my poor grandmother going through so much breaks my heart.