Does this sound like Mama Lea's day?

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.

• 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.

• 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 Joel when he's back.

1. 1

   Auntie Baby · Next door, has a key

   555-0110

2. 2

   Home-Health nurse · Magnesium, the port

   555-0122

3. 3

   Oncology advice line · Nausea, dehydration, fevers

   555-0133

4. 4

   Joel · Only if nothing above fits

   555-0163

   He's finally taking a real break.

5. !

   911 for emergencies

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.