Pain and Meds and Hospice Care

     It is Sunday morning and not like any other Sunday morning.   It is the first Sunday I am waking up in hospice care.   I guess it is like joining a "club".   There are lots of things to learn about the organization, the people working with it, the "benefits", and just living and dying in general.
     We have had wonderful visits from nurses, the social worker and calls from chaplains.  I am home and I will be visited as often as I need.  
     Now to the pain.  I have had more pain in the last week than ever before.  Our challenge is to find out what causes the most pain, what to "give" it to stop or subside, when to give it and how often to give it.   Of course, along with meds to help with pain come side effects.
     I have only been using Tylenol and Tramadol so far.  Tomorrow the nurse will come and we will discuss a routine to keep ahead of the pain which is the key.  Unfortunately I have liver lesions so neither of those meds should be used for long periods of time from what I understand!
     Meanwhile, I cannot think too far ahead with "planning" because we haven't gotten that far in our pain management.
     The night before last I barely slept because of pain.  Last night I did not have pain.   So, yesterday when I called the hospice 24/7 for advice, I asked if I could take Tylenol and Tramadol interchangeably.   She said it would probably be Ok for this weekend, but, I might need a stronger pain med.   My nurse visits tomorrow so that is reassuring.    Wonder what that med will be and what the side effects will be?  I guess one has a choice of little or no pain and feeling dull and sleepy in the head, or opt for pain and thinking better.  Right now, I don't deal with the pain very well and I don't like it.  And, what comes with opioid meds is constipation...then you have to take something for that!   Whoopee!!
     Along with the pain there seems to be a lot of bloating and painful gas after I eat no matter what I eat, so I have started taking Gas X, 180 mg.   Seems to help but you are only advised on the bottle to take it twice a day.  So, I am trying that too.  O course, I continue with small portions throughout the day!
      The support and care that the hospice folks give is very reassuring.  I am so thankful for the faithfulness of my family to my condition.  My husband is most caring and devoted, but sad at the same time.  
      "In all your ways acknowledge Him [the Lord]  and He will direct your paths."   Proverbs 3:6