• Registered: Mon, 19 Oct 2009
  • Posts: 24

Topic: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

I wanted to give an update on my mom.  She was in a hospice care center for 11 days and we brought her home this past Wednesday.  We have a hospital bed set up for her and the nurses come in to care for her.  This is just so hard to deal with.  I can't believe we are at this point.  I knew it was coming, but I guess you just can't believe it.  Mom has a drain tube from her stomach which is draining everything she takes by mouth into a bag.  She has not really eaten in 13 days now.  She drinks and takes small bites of some food, but it all just goes straight into the bag.  She is such a trooper and has been so graceful through this all.  We have been so blessed to be able to talk and spend this time with her.  We love her so much.  She had a long night last night as it was her first night back at home.  She didn't get much sleep and she slept almost all day today.  Not sure if it is due to lack of sleep from the prior night or if she is entering a new phase.  Any thoughts?  Family is in town so that is nice.  They are so helpful.

Thanks for listening. 

LoveMyMom

  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,157

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

LoveMYMom....the surroundings of her own environment must give your Mom much comfort.  This is a precious time for all including, the family members. With hospice tending to her and the love she is receiving your Mom must feel very much at ease.
My heart is with you,
Love
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • From: New Bern, North Carolina
  • Registered: Tue, 30 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 682

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

LoveMyMom,

My heart goes out to you and your family.  I stood in your shoes in April of this year.  The range of emotions you will face will stagger you.  I still can't believe my Mom is gone. 

Looking back I can't believe I was able to be so calm.  These are truly precious moments you will come to treasure.  It's a time to give back some of the love your Mom has always given to you.  I remember reading that hearing is one of the last senses we lose and I spent hours whispering to Mom when the end was near, telling her how much she was loved and how lucky I was to have her as my Mom. When the time came, I along with my Dad and sister told her it was ok to go and that we would be ok and would see her again some day.

Writing on this board helped me tremendously and my CC family has become  as dear and as important to me as my own.

You are an amazing legacy that your Mom will leave behind.  One only has to read your posts to understand this.  I promise you that you will find a strength deep in you that will get you through this.

You and your family will be in my heart and prayers as you travel this journey.
My heart is breaking for you and the tears are falling as I remember my Mom while reading and writing this. 

We are all here for you.

Hugs and much love,
Pam

My Mom lost her one year battle with CC on April 3, 2009.

"A prognosis is simply an audit of how truly precious each day is.  Live each day to the maximum, celebrate what was, and what is - Don't spend your life looking forward to what will or might be." .... words of wisdom from my beloved son on hearing of his grandmother's CC prognosis.
  • Lainy
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  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 8,199

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

I cannot say anything that would be as comforting as what Pam wrote. I would just add that I believe your mom knows what is going on around her and she is thankful to have so much love seeing her through this terrible journey. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.
  • Walk
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  • From: NC
  • Registered: Fri, 07 Nov 2008
  • Posts: 180

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

I, too, stood in your shoes this year. And like Pam, spent time telling my Dad how much he meant. Maybe because my subconscious pushes it away, but now, 3 months later, those days are not the ones I remember most.

God bless you and your family,

Jan

  • From: London
  • Registered: Fri, 28 Aug 2009
  • Posts: 1,057

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

My heart goes out to you, LoveMyMom.  My very, very best wishes to you & your family.  I wish I had the words to say more.

love Julia x

Missing my lovely sister ...

"When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars" - Lee Salk

Lalupes's Website

  • From: Manchester,England
  • Registered: Mon, 03 Aug 2009
  • Posts: 328

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

LovemyMum,

I just want to echo the words of support everyone has left for you.  We never got to the stage of needing hospice support with my lovely Dad.

We lost him  pretty quickly to this horrible disease back at the end of June, within 7 weeks from diagnosis  he had left us. He had surgery but sadly, never regained consciousness and died 9 days later.

Like Pam said the hearing is the last sense to loose when coming to the end of one's life and like her we whispered and talked to my Dad to tell him how much he was loved....

You are doing a fantastic job, the strength comes from somewhere to carry you through this, I don't know from where. Sending you love and peace as you love your Mum until her journey in this world ends. I know a little of what you are feeling.

Hugs, Katie

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: Sun, 07 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 1,990

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

LoveMyMom,

I am so sorry to hear of what you and your family are now experiencing.  I too have traveled this road.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Hang in there & stay with us.  It does help.

Love & Hugs,
Darla

"One Day At A Time"
  • Gavin
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  • From: Scotland - Dundee
  • Registered: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 4,825

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

LoveMyMom,

I am sorry that you are going through this with your mum. I hope that you can make your mum as comfortable as possible right now and I'm sure that she is gald to be at home with her loving family around her.

My thoughts are with you and your mum.

Gavin

  • From: Toronto
  • Registered: Tue, 15 Sep 2009
  • Posts: 52

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

LoveMyMom,

Sending you whatever you need to get you through this world of heartache.

Sharon

  • Registered: Mon, 19 Oct 2009
  • Posts: 24

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

Thank you ALL for such kind words and such encouragement.  Pam, wow, tears are streaming as I read your post...I hang on to every word.  You all are amazing.  I feel so blessed to have found this site and to be able to converse with all of you about this awful disease that has touched all of our lives in some way or another.  We are right in the "thick" of things and I feel completely overwhelmed, as well as being exhausted.  We are so blessed to have had this time to communicate and share with mom...I will treasure this time forever.  Mom is getting extremely weak - we are on day 17 without food.  The hospice nurses are incredible.  We have my mom's sister in town and my cousin, they are a blessing.  I pray for you all and will keep you posted as I can.  Thank you for listening.

  • Gavin
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  • From: Scotland - Dundee
  • Registered: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 4,825

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

LoveMyMom,

I know what you mean about being overwhelmed and exhausted right now as you go down this road. You are doing a great job for your mum right now and I know that she will so appreciate having the support of you and her loving family beside her. I am glad that your mums sister and your cousin are in town just now and are here to share this time that you all have together.

I am keeping you all in my thoughts and sending you strength and my very best wishes.

Gavin

  • From: Toronto
  • Registered: Tue, 15 Sep 2009
  • Posts: 52

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

LoveMyMom

I feel like we are just heading into the journey that you are well into and I am thinking of you constantly. As much as I hate CC, I am so grateful for the time to be with mom that I wouldn't have had if she had died suddenly. She and I lay in her bed today and talked about how lucky we are - from her perspective, she had 6 children who are ready to be there for her when she needs them most. For me it was a chance to try to tell her that this time of care is such a small fraction of the love and gratitude I feel for her.

My you continue to find the strenght and courage you need.

Sharon

  • From: Endicott, New York
  • Registered: Sun, 01 Jun 2008
  • Posts: 457

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

LoveMyMom

  I count the time at the end with my husband as among the most precious that we spent together. I know how difficult this is for you, but you will look back some day and be so grateful to have been able to be there for your Mom at this time, comforting her and showing love. You are doing a wonderful job, and God will continue to give you strength.


Joyce C.

jclegg's Website

  • From: New Bern, North Carolina
  • Registered: Tue, 30 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 682

Re: Mom Receiving Hospice Care

LoveMyMom,

You are in my thoughts everyday and I just wanted to check in and see how things are going.

Now I'm going to "play the Mom" and tell you that you need to take care of the caregiver (that would be you!)  Do your best to try and get some rest whenever possible.  Try to do one thing for YOU everyday whether it's a quick walk or a long bath.  You'll know what's important that needs to be done and what to leave alone for now.  You are being pulled in so many directions so be kind and gentle to yourself. 

You will find the strength you need.  You and your Mom and family remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Much love and many hugs...
Pam

My Mom lost her one year battle with CC on April 3, 2009.

"A prognosis is simply an audit of how truly precious each day is.  Live each day to the maximum, celebrate what was, and what is - Don't spend your life looking forward to what will or might be." .... words of wisdom from my beloved son on hearing of his grandmother's CC prognosis.