If you've been following, you'll know that my daughter and her wonderful family are on their planned visit to Port A. Hospice provided 5 days of "respite care", where Connie would be cared for by a facility which started on Sunday.
My Mom went to a nursing care facility when things were looking like they weren't going to go well. She hated it. I hated seeing her in there. She lasted about 3 weeks and literally died from "failure to thrive", which means she just stopped wanting to live.
That was 3 years ago. Knowing for almost 7 years that this was a terminal illness with Connie, we've always had very frank discussions about "things". One thing that I was pretty firm on was that I didn't want to have her go to a facility like that for the end of her life. I thought a few days would be different. I was wrong.
She went to the facility Sunday. Monday morning at 6a I got a text from our hospice nurse that Connie wanted to come home. There was some talking off the ledge. She decided to try and "gut it out". This morning (Tuesday) she said she wanted to come home. So, she will later this afternoon.
Not sure what all went on, not sure that I'll ever know. Had a couple of days of respite. I certainly wouldn't handle it thinking I put my wife somewhere she hated so that I could have some free time.
At least we tried.
Life is all about "the stories".
This is ours from our RV somewhere in the U.S.
Showing posts with label Nurse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nurse. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Another episode
Things had been status quo until this past Tuesday afternoon. I noticed the all too familiar starting to slouch as she sat on the couch. By evening, she was having another brain shut down episode.
Since then, we’ve been on daily nurse visits and she’s been confined to the bed. She’s had a bad cough that manifests itself enough that she hasn’t been able to get that deep, solid sleep that usually helps the brain reset.
She’s tried to stand, but can’t even sit on the bed for a few minutes without eventually needing to lay down.
Her vitals have been OK. She had a bit of gurgling in her lungs Wednesday that wasn’t evident yesterday (Thursday), which is good. She’s not gained control of her right side, specifically her right hand and right leg, which isn’t good.
Bethany is coming to visit today. Hospice nurse said she has a lot more "showed up too late" stories than "showed up too early". It will be great to see her, and great for her to see her Mama.
That’s the update for now. Thanks as always for those who have offered their help and their kind thoughts.
Since then, we’ve been on daily nurse visits and she’s been confined to the bed. She’s had a bad cough that manifests itself enough that she hasn’t been able to get that deep, solid sleep that usually helps the brain reset.
She’s tried to stand, but can’t even sit on the bed for a few minutes without eventually needing to lay down.
Her vitals have been OK. She had a bit of gurgling in her lungs Wednesday that wasn’t evident yesterday (Thursday), which is good. She’s not gained control of her right side, specifically her right hand and right leg, which isn’t good.
Bethany is coming to visit today. Hospice nurse said she has a lot more "showed up too late" stories than "showed up too early". It will be great to see her, and great for her to see her Mama.
That’s the update for now. Thanks as always for those who have offered their help and their kind thoughts.
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Bonus Month 1 in the books
It's been over a month now.
I think being off the chemo has given Connie a bit of a lift. Her spirits are good. She thinks she can do things (even though she often bails at the last minute).
The brain is still her biggest problem. Finding the right words, having a thought and not being able to finish it, etc. Doesn't let her have good balance. I'm starting to notice pretty large short term memory loss (we talked about a show this morning at pretty good length, tonight she didn't know what I was talking about).
Still a lot of sleep time. A normal day is she's up at 8, in bed from noon-ish to 2-ish, down for bed around 7p. Now that football is over, I'm catching up on a lot of Netflix and Prime Video. Plus, the business has been hopping, which is really helpful.
Her appetite is as good as can be expected. She has a breakfast, a snack, one of those Boost protein drinks, and a dinner. All small portions, but at least she's eating.
Hospice nurses are here every day through the week at this point for 30-60 minutes. We've got oxygen ready to roll, as we feel it's going to be a necessity and wanted it here for when that eventuality happens.
A few people have been nice enough to call, stop over, bake some things. All of which is really appreciated. I can run to the grocery, post office and not be a basket case if I time it around one of her naps or a nurse visit. She actually sat out and watched a little football Sunday, along with going to the beach once for about 45 minutes.
That's pretty much the update, thanks for taking the time to think of my wife.
I think being off the chemo has given Connie a bit of a lift. Her spirits are good. She thinks she can do things (even though she often bails at the last minute).
The brain is still her biggest problem. Finding the right words, having a thought and not being able to finish it, etc. Doesn't let her have good balance. I'm starting to notice pretty large short term memory loss (we talked about a show this morning at pretty good length, tonight she didn't know what I was talking about).
Still a lot of sleep time. A normal day is she's up at 8, in bed from noon-ish to 2-ish, down for bed around 7p. Now that football is over, I'm catching up on a lot of Netflix and Prime Video. Plus, the business has been hopping, which is really helpful.
Her appetite is as good as can be expected. She has a breakfast, a snack, one of those Boost protein drinks, and a dinner. All small portions, but at least she's eating.
Hospice nurses are here every day through the week at this point for 30-60 minutes. We've got oxygen ready to roll, as we feel it's going to be a necessity and wanted it here for when that eventuality happens.
A few people have been nice enough to call, stop over, bake some things. All of which is really appreciated. I can run to the grocery, post office and not be a basket case if I time it around one of her naps or a nurse visit. She actually sat out and watched a little football Sunday, along with going to the beach once for about 45 minutes.
That's pretty much the update, thanks for taking the time to think of my wife.
Friday, January 3, 2020
Bonus Days Week 3 (December 29 - January 3rd)
Finally had to let "the cat out of the bag". Too many people asking, had to spill the beans. Was actually a big weight lifted. I felt like I was "keeping things" from people. Never want to tell a lie, but I was never in the position.
Connie's vitals are still doing well. She's eating breakfast daily, not much for lunch, and some for dinner depending on the day. Nausea has never really been a problem, she just isn't hungry.
Not really a whole lot to report. Many have asked if they can visit, call, etc. If you text me, I can let you know if it's "a good time". Nurse usually calls Tuesday - Thursday around 10a, Nurse Assistant calls M - W - F around 4p.
We both appreciate all your kind thoughts and prayers.
Connie's vitals are still doing well. She's eating breakfast daily, not much for lunch, and some for dinner depending on the day. Nausea has never really been a problem, she just isn't hungry.
Not really a whole lot to report. Many have asked if they can visit, call, etc. If you text me, I can let you know if it's "a good time". Nurse usually calls Tuesday - Thursday around 10a, Nurse Assistant calls M - W - F around 4p.
We both appreciate all your kind thoughts and prayers.
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Bonus Days 9 & 10 (December 21 - 22)
Had our visit on Saturday and our follow up visit on Sunday with the weekend nurse for New Century Hospice. I swear to God, I've bought houses and signed less paperwork.
Nurses will call on us 3 times a week, social worker will call on us once a month, Volunteers will be out as needed to help with hygiene issues, etc. It's a real team effort.
While I always thought it was a death sentence and a wait till the last minute thing, we're finding out that the earlier you start "the process", the more benefits you receive.
While it's a dark subject, so far, this "team" has been very good to work with so far. Not very timely, but a part of that is the business they're in, too.
Nurses will call on us 3 times a week, social worker will call on us once a month, Volunteers will be out as needed to help with hygiene issues, etc. It's a real team effort.
While I always thought it was a death sentence and a wait till the last minute thing, we're finding out that the earlier you start "the process", the more benefits you receive.
While it's a dark subject, so far, this "team" has been very good to work with so far. Not very timely, but a part of that is the business they're in, too.
Friday, December 20, 2019
Bonus Days 7 & 8 (December 19 - 20th)
Yesterday was a good morning, then after her afternoon nap, a bad rest of the day.
We settled on a hospice, New Century Hospice. They called us after the third place that I called listed as "in network" (who wasn't) by our insurance, called them to refer us. Thank goodness for them doing that. Our insurance has NOT been helpful during this process.
As soon as they got our information and ran our pre certification, they were out here to sign papers. I would guess in their business, time is literally of the essence, as people could be calling with days left for their loved one. I don't think that's our case, but we'll see. One of those papers was a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form which is required in Texas for EMT's. EMT's are required by state law to do everything necessary to bring a person back if they've stopped breathing or their heart has stopped. With this form, she'll be spared those chest compressions, etc.
Today (the 20th), we'll have a nurse come out to do an evaluation. Then, along with "the team", she'll make a plan for how many visits Connie will need, what kind of supplies she'll need, etc. As I wondered out loud if we were unique being in an RV, guy from Hospice said they had a client out here (Pioneer RV Park) last year.
The end will be a journey.
We settled on a hospice, New Century Hospice. They called us after the third place that I called listed as "in network" (who wasn't) by our insurance, called them to refer us. Thank goodness for them doing that. Our insurance has NOT been helpful during this process.
As soon as they got our information and ran our pre certification, they were out here to sign papers. I would guess in their business, time is literally of the essence, as people could be calling with days left for their loved one. I don't think that's our case, but we'll see. One of those papers was a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form which is required in Texas for EMT's. EMT's are required by state law to do everything necessary to bring a person back if they've stopped breathing or their heart has stopped. With this form, she'll be spared those chest compressions, etc.
Today (the 20th), we'll have a nurse come out to do an evaluation. Then, along with "the team", she'll make a plan for how many visits Connie will need, what kind of supplies she'll need, etc. As I wondered out loud if we were unique being in an RV, guy from Hospice said they had a client out here (Pioneer RV Park) last year.
The end will be a journey.
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