Hospice

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I haven't posted lately but I do try to read all the listings. Wanted to

give you an update on all that is happening here. Swallowing test showed

Denny is aspirating anything thinner than apple sauce. We have started

thickening everything and he is doing remarkably well drinking that

awful looking stuff. I am intermitting cathing, they don't want to put

a permanent cath in yet so we empty day and night..Yawn!!!!!!

I am getting over a bout with pneumonia myself and starting to feel a

bit better. The main reason I am writing is to tell you that we went

with Hospice two weeks ago. Our two children and our Doctor were the

ones that go me to listen to a hospice rep. I kept saying.. " it's just

too soon " but they have convinced me that hospice has changed from being

a caregiver for the last few months of life, , to being there for

several years. They have so many things to offer, and kept insisting

that there is no time frame for dying. Denny may not be here in 6

months, we hope he will live several more years. With me being sick,

they have been wonderful. Couldn't have done it without them. They came

in an bathed, shaved and dressed Denny the first week I was so sick. A

case worker comes weekly and everyone is so kind. Have any of you

thought about Hospice? My family felt like I could not continue to care

for my husband without some help. Let me know if you have had any

experiences with them.

We continue to get though the days as best we can. Denny cannot get up

without help, and is in the wheelchair or lift chair all day. He is

choking on his own saliva , but the thickener has helped with the

other. Don't know how much longer he has, but with this new help I hope

to keep him home for the duration of this awful illness.

Think of all of you often, Ann in Va.