Mom is in very poor condition. Since being admitted into the hospital 2 days ago she has become very weak. It has become very difficult for her to breath due to the liquid in the lining of her lungs. She is no longer a candidate for the enhanced chemo treatment. She is very unstable on her feet. She needs not only help getting out of bed, but also walking to the bathroom. Her health is deteriorating. Dad feels it is time to get some help in the home. Today Mom, Dad, Aunt Leora, Uncle Doug,Phyllis Jean and I were all there when the lady came to talk about home health care. They explained the options of home health care or hospice. What we go with is determined by if we do chemotherapy or not.
Home Health Care would include nurses coming into the home helping do whatever is needed. Hospice is similar, but the lady said the philosophies behind hospice are different than health care. It is a celebration of life. It's more of a spiritual care along with the physical. They focus on keeping their patients comfortable at home surrounded by loved ones and family.
So what are we going to do? Dad wants to start chemo and mom wants to do whatever dad wants to do. Us kids want to know if the chemo is going to prolong her life or just prolong the pain? Mom received steroids and then a chemo treatment. It was a very low dosage of chemo. Monday they will be able to evaluate her blood and see if the chemo is working. The doctor doesn't have a set schedule of chemo treatment, but is going to take it one week at a time.
Conclusion: For now we will go with the home health care when she is released from the hospital and while we see if the chemo is making a difference. If we decide the chemo is not working than we will do hospice.
Mom is at peace with this cancer. She has never been in denial or never been angry at getting cancer. She doesn't complain about the agonizing pain she is in. She has accepted her sickness and is prepared for whatever Heavenly Father has planned for her even if it's not what we want. It is now our turn to accept the Lord's will and prepare for what her future holds. May we all live our lives in harmony with the teachings of the gospel so that we too can be ready to meet our Savior.
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I am sorry she isn't doing better. We are praying you guys will be comforted and she will not be in pain. It is hard to see someone you love hurt so bad. Everyone loves you guys though and it praying.
ReplyDeleteNorma, How sweet your children are to post this blog for you. There are so many who are concerned and praying for you. Cancer is not fun, even when you are just a loved one trying to give support. But, just like any trial, there is such opportunities for making you want to be more like our Father and Mother in Heaven. I have always loved and admired you. You have always shown me such great examples of love and strength. Many of our family has benefited from your talents and your gift of caring. I have a long list of people I admire and want to grow up to be like, and you are at the top with others I love and admire.
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