Everything for today.

I typed all of this myself — one page for each of my parents. Call me only if nothing on these pages fits — I'm finally taking a real break.

Most things on these pages you can handle without me. The notes at the end of the shift are how I catch up.

— Joël

Mama Lea

Your mother

Tatay

Your father

Your mother

Mama Lea

Today · Mama Lea

Lea had chemo Monday, so she's extra tired and maybe queasy. Home-health nurse comes around 11am for her magnesium infusion through her port — expected, just let her in. Most important: watch her hands and feet for cramping. Appetite low; small warm foods. She's been a little down — company helps.

The basics · Mama Lea

Morning meds with breakfast — AM slots, blue pill box on the counter.
Coffee with lots of milk.
Anti-nausea pill mid-morning if she's queasy.
Small lunch, no rush.
Imodium with meals for the ostomy.
Keep water in reach.
She manages the bathroom, but likes someone near for the hallway.

Watch for · Mama Lea

If you see
Hands, feet, or legs cramping or locking up — Magnesium is low.
Then: Keep her calm. Give the half Flexeril tab by her bed. Call the Home-Health nurse.
If it's severe, or she has trouble breathing — call 911.
If you see
Ostomy bag filling fast or watery — She's losing fluids.
Then: Give Imodium if she hasn't had it. Keep her sipping water. If she's dizzy or weak, call the Oncology advice line.
If you see
Nausea, or she can't keep fluids down
Then: Give the anti-nausea pill (PM slot). If she still can't keep water down, call the Oncology advice line.
If you see
Tearful, or says she wants to stop treatment
Then: Just sit with her. Don't argue. Offer her rosary or the Filipino mass. Tell Joël when he's back.

Who to call · Mama Lea

Comfort & connection · Mama Lea

What to call her: Call her Mama Lea, or Tita Lea.
Food: Warm lugaw when her stomach is off.
Faith: Rosary on the nightstand. EWTN or the Filipino Sunday mass calms her.
Music: Play Basil Valdez or old OPM — she'll sing along.
Photos: The grandkids-and-Cebu photo album lifts her.
Avoid: Rushing her. Cold rooms. Bringing up the cancer unless she does.

That's everything for Mama Lea. Tatay is next

Your father

Tatay

Today · Tatay

Dad was up most of the night, so he'll probably sleep till noon — that's normal, let him. His foot's been sore this week (gout), so no meat-heavy food and no soda today, even if he asks. He might tell you he already ate — check the kitchen; no plate means he didn't.

The basics · Tatay

He gets up around noon.
Pills in the white box on the microwave — noon slots, with food. Remind him or he won't take them.
Lunch: rice and fried fish is the safe bet.
If he says no to food, wait 20 minutes and offer again — don't push.
Keep his water cup filled.
He'll watch TV most of the afternoon — that's his day, it's okay.
Fresh briefs are under the bathroom sink. If one gets left, just bag it — don't make it a thing.

Watch for · Tatay

If you see
He heads for the door, says he's going to the store
Then: Don't argue. Tell him lunch is almost ready and steer him back to his shows. That usually settles it — mention it in your note after.
If you see
His foot swells, or he can't walk on it — That's the gout.
Then: Sit him down, foot up. It'll keep till he's home — only call him if the pain looks severe or he can't put weight on it at all.
If you see
Suddenly way more confused than usual, or shaky and sweaty
Then: Get some juice into him and call Joël right away.
If he doesn't come back to himself quickly — call 911.
If you see
He says something that doesn't make sense, or sees something that isn't there
Then: Don't correct him. Keep him calm, put his shows on. It passes — mention it in your note after.

Who to call · Tatay

Comfort & connection · Tatay

What to call him: Call him Tatay, or Papa Joel.
TV: He likes his shows — westerns, Wheel of Fortune.
Treats: One sweet is fine — the sugar-free cookies in the pantry. No soda.
How to talk: Short sentences, one thing at a time. Don't quiz him — no 'do you remember.'
Avoid: Pushing conversation. If he's quiet, sit with him — he likes the company more than he lets on.

Thank you, Shawntae.
You're giving him the break he needs.