A Thread for prayers, good vibes and what have you

[St. Clown]

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

Thanks Bob.

Got one of "those" phone calls this morning. She has apparently taken a drastic turn for the worse since the hospice nurse was there Saturday afternoon. So much so that the nurse is implementing "comfort measures". The director of the facility (who called me) thinks it will be soon.

They were waiting for her doctor to sign some papers and for the pharmacy to deliver some "supplies" so they could begin getting her "comfortable". They think she's exhibiting signs of renal failure as her skin is very discolored; she's incoherent and they don't even want to try to get her out of bed.

My reply to all this was to please do everything possible so that she doesn't suffer. I've said several prayers myself in the past 2 hours and asked the Man upstairs to do the right thing.

Best of luck to your aunt and you, Mark. I really hope they can control her pain.

 

[Siouxfaninseattle]

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

Thanks Bob.

Got one of "those" phone calls this morning. She has apparently taken a drastic turn for the worse since the hospice nurse was there Saturday afternoon. So much so that the nurse is implementing "comfort measures". The director of the facility (who called me) thinks it will be soon.

They were waiting for her doctor to sign some papers and for the pharmacy to deliver some "supplies" so they could begin getting her "comfortable". They think she's exhibiting signs of renal failure as her skin is very discolored; she's incoherent and they don't even want to try to get her out of bed.

My reply to all this was to please do everything possible so that she doesn't suffer. I've said several prayers myself in the past 2 hours and asked the Man upstairs to do the right thing.

More prayers for her and you.

 

[leswp1]

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

Thanks Bob.

Got one of "those" phone calls this morning. She has apparently taken a drastic turn for the worse since the hospice nurse was there Saturday afternoon. So much so that the nurse is implementing "comfort measures". The director of the facility (who called me) thinks it will be soon.

They were waiting for her doctor to sign some papers and for the pharmacy to deliver some "supplies" so they could begin getting her "comfortable". They think she's exhibiting signs of renal failure as her skin is very discolored; she's incoherent and they don't even want to try to get her out of bed.

My reply to all this was to please do everything possible so that she doesn't suffer. I've said several prayers myself in the past 2 hours and asked the Man upstairs to do the right thing.

Prayers for you all and for those caring for her. Sounds like she has decided to be done. I am glad she is in a place that can take care of her well.

 

[leswp1]

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

Need some prayers for my Mum and our family. She has scheduled surgery without a clear plan for post op. We are all very concerned but she doesn't seem to be able to get it together. Lots of nastiness as we try to get her to work out what needs to be done. Not a lot of love being spread around right now

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

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

Prayers your way les.

I was so out of sorts this afternoon i decided to drive to Hartford to watch some hockey. Hasn't really worked yet so I'm hoping game 2 with my Bobcats does the trick.

 

[Bob Gray]

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

Need some prayers for my Mum and our family. She has scheduled surgery without a clear plan for post op. We are all very concerned but she doesn't seem to be able to get it together. Lots of nastiness as we try to get her to work out what needs to be done. Not a lot of love being spread around right now

Tough situation. Praying for you and your family.

 

[leswp1]

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

Tough situation. Praying for you and your family.

Thanks.

 

[leswp1]

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

MEUSA thinking of you.

 

[Proud2baLaker]

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.

 

[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...

 

[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.

 

[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

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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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

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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.