"How's Connie?"

I get that a lot.  How do I answer that?  That's a tough one.  Connie always used a stock answer of "hanging in there", and I guess that's an accurate depiction of her current state.

She's still a roller coaster, although the good days aren't as good.  To give you an example, a few days ago she said she thinks she's going to make it to her birthday (March 1st), but all bets are off after that.  Then, yesterday, she's asking the nurse about 'graduating' from hospice.  That's the roller coaster.  It's the end of the 2nd month of hospice care and we've already had a few "this is the beginning of the end" moments, and just as many "she's going to be here through next Christmas".

Most days are Groundhog Day.  Nothing on the schedule other than which nurse is coming.  She's awake around 7 - 7:30.  Has a small breakfast, a 'boost' protein drink, and some bites for dinner.  She rotates between sitting up in bed and laying down.  When she's sitting up, she watches the park out her window, listens to either the radio or what's on the TV in the living room.

We've just recently starting trying again to get her to sit on the edge of the bed, even stand while being propped up.  I hope that type of progress continues.  It's baby steps, and she's exhausted after that short 'workout'.  She wants to at least get out of the bedroom.  Get out of diapers.  Sit out in the living room.  Some days I think that's going to happen in the next few days.  Some days, I think that's never happening.

However, the shooting pain headaches have returned.  The short term memory is concerning.  Some days she's really focused, other days she just wants to sleep. 

Roller Coaster.