A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

The Morphine should begin to help. The pump allows for a pretty constant level of pain relief without waiting for med to kick in like when you give a shot.

I forgot to mention that she is unable to operate the pump herself so the hospice nurses are doing it themselves..

Sounds like she is nearing the end of her suffering. Will be thinking of you and saying a prayer.

I certainly hope so. For as long as this has been going on (April will be 5 yrs since she went to the home) and for as bad as she's gotten, I always just wanted her to never suffer. She deserves better than that for being the person that she is (was).

[leswp1]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Got a call last night around 8pm from the hospice nurse on duty. My heart about stopped when I answered the phone, but it wasn't THAT call. My aunt has started crying out in pain but can't articulate what's bothering her. After consulting with the MD, he prescribed a morphine pump. I think she said it was 2.5 mL (2.5 something's anyway) every 6 hours. I have no clue what that means other than the morphine should keep her comfortable.

I'm starting to ask, if there is a God, why is this happening? I feel so helpless, but at the same time know that they're doing everything they can to comfort her.

That is a question I haven't come up with the answer for yet and have been asking for lots of yrs. I try to comfort myself with the knowledge when the person passes all the pain and suffering they endured here on earth is not something that will mean anything when they pass. It is something that stays with us but not with them. You are doing your best to make the right decisions and it sounds like they are doing everything humanly possible to make her comfortable.

The Morphine should begin to help. The pump allows for a pretty constant level of pain relief without waiting for med to kick in like when you give a shot. Sounds like she is nearing the end of her suffering. Will be thinking of you and saying a prayer.

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Got a call last night around 8pm from the hospice nurse on duty. My heart about stopped when I answered the phone, but it wasn't THAT call. My aunt has started crying out in pain but can't articulate what's bothering her. After consulting with the MD, he prescribed a morphine pump. I think she said it was 2.5 mL (2.5 something's anyway) every 6 hours. I have no clue what that means other than the morphine should keep her comfortable.

I'm starting to ask, if there is a God, why is this happening? I feel so helpless, but at the same time know that they're doing everything they can to comfort her.

[leswp1]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Thanks guys

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Would appreciate some prayers for Lil's coach's Mum. Sudden illness, in the ICU, not sounding good.

This is a not a good season. My Godmother just lost a 44 yo friend who dropped dead on Christmas.

Prayers headed their way.

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Would appreciate some prayers for Lil's coach's Mum. Sudden illness, in the ICU, not sounding good.

This is a not a good season. My Godmother just lost a 44 yo friend who dropped dead on Christmas.

Sending some your way too.

[Siouxfaninseattle]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Would appreciate some prayers for Lil's coach's Mum. Sudden illness, in the ICU, not sounding good.

This is a not a good season. My Godmother just lost a 44 yo friend who dropped dead on Christmas.

You got it.

[leswp1]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Would appreciate some prayers for Lil's coach's Mum. Sudden illness, in the ICU, not sounding good.

This is a not a good season. My Godmother just lost a 44 yo friend who dropped dead on Christmas.

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

When hospice initiated comfort measures for my mom it was three weeks, that's how long the failure to swallow stage took. I soon learned that there are gradations to the final stage of Alzheimer's and that everyone passes through them at different rates. Because of the morphine, my mom wasn't in much pain that I could tell, so the toughest part of the situation was on me and my brothers.

The social worker kind of went through this with me last week. My mom also said today that morphine will sometimes speed up the process even though it's maintaining a level of pain-free comfort.

Les, no need to worry about being articulate. I know what the final score is going to be. Yeah, it'll hurt when it finally comes, but I'm at ease with all my decisions up to now. Making sure she isn't suffering is the only thing that matters right now.

And I want you all to know that being able to share this with you is actually helping me deal with it better. I really do appreciate the support and understanding.

[leswp1]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Definitely. Went another day without any news. Played phone tag with the social worker but never connected. She left word that she'll call tomorrow evening (snowmageddon notwithstanding).

My mom stopped by today. She has some experience with these situations and delicately warned me that if hospice was implementing "comfort measures" it probably won't be long.

At the moment I'm ok with the eventuality of the situation, but am still on the edge emotionally having to play this waiting game.

They call it the long goodbye for a reason. The person you knew isn't there, you have already started mourning but the body is still there and that makes it confusing. (not the most articulate way of putting it but I think you know what I mean. COmfort means they are done fixing things and that is always a shock, even if you know it is right.

[St. Clown]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Definitely. Went another day without any news. Played phone tag with the social worker but never connected. She left word that she'll call tomorrow evening (snowmageddon notwithstanding).

My mom stopped by today. She has some experience with these situations and delicately warned me that if hospice was implementing "comfort measures" it probably won't be long.

At the moment I'm ok with the eventuality of the situation, but am still on the edge emotionally having to play this waiting game.

When hospice initiated comfort measures for my mom it was three weeks, that's how long the failure to swallow stage took. I soon learned that there are gradations to the final stage of Alzheimer's and that everyone passes through them at different rates. Because of the morphine, my mom wasn't in much pain that I could tell, so the toughest part of the situation was on me and my brothers.

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Hospice is care and comfort. That is what you want for her

Definitely. Went another day without any news. Played phone tag with the social worker but never connected. She left word that she'll call tomorrow evening (snowmageddon notwithstanding).

My mom stopped by today. She has some experience with these situations and delicately warned me that if hospice was implementing "comfort measures" it probably won't be long.

At the moment I'm ok with the eventuality of the situation, but am still on the edge emotionally having to play this waiting game.

[leswp1]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Thanks les. I had to work today and was on pins and needles all day whenever I got paged for a phone call. Fortunately, that call never came. I decided not to call the home and went on the premise of "no news is good news". I'm supposed to get a call from the social worker tomorrow afternoon so perhaps she will have an update.

It's hard to explain this, but I feel so much more at ease just knowing she's getting hospice care. When I got the call yesterday I asked if they would consider sending her to the hospital and the answer was an emphatic "no". First, we do have a DNR in place. Second, she likely won't get any compassion or comfort at the ER; would possibly end up unattended for hours, etc. The hospice premise is dignity and comfort, and I know they'll do their best to provide that.

As long as she's not suffering...

Absolutely agree with NO ER!! The ER is if you are trying to change the course of things. That means intervention, poking, prodding, imaging, etc. No, No, No!! Hospice is care and comfort. That is what you want for her

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

Tomorrow I start a ~25 hour drive from Indiana to Idaho where I will be starting a new job. Really I would call it my first job in the real world (all other jobs have been during college or when I was living at home). Hoping for a good drive and a smooth transition.

Best of luck and safe travels.

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

MEUSA thinking of you.

Thanks les. I had to work today and was on pins and needles all day whenever I got paged for a phone call. Fortunately, that call never came. I decided not to call the home and went on the premise of "no news is good news". I'm supposed to get a call from the social worker tomorrow afternoon so perhaps she will have an update.

It's hard to explain this, but I feel so much more at ease just knowing she's getting hospice care. When I got the call yesterday I asked if they would consider sending her to the hospital and the answer was an emphatic "no". First, we do have a DNR in place. Second, she likely won't get any compassion or comfort at the ER; would possibly end up unattended for hours, etc. The hospice premise is dignity and comfort, and I know they'll do their best to provide that.

As long as she's not suffering...