Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 13:29:06 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2016 8:17:14 GMT -5
I've mentioned DH's acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis on here before- it was discovered in July after 10 years of polycythemia (bone marrow making too many red blood cells- this is a common outcome). He's still at home with hospice care- thank God I'm retired. It's been a relatively fast downhill slide, which is merciful under the circumstances. The Sunday before last he was walking with a cane but really needed extra support, and when I was in the kitchen he walked out of the bedroom and fell. Fortunately nothing major was hurt but he was bruised badly enough that he was confined to a wheel chair and the bed after that. He weighs less than I do now and I'm in good shape but it's been a challenge moving him around in ways that are safe for my back. Yesterday he had a bad bout of "terminal restlessness"- trying frantically to get out of the hospital bed, bruising himself and getting tangled into positions he couldn't get out of by himself in the process. Hospice nurses were here 3 times yesterday; the two yesterday evening were just wonderful. He's now on a mix of Lorazepam, Halperidol and morphine and he had a quiet night. He's sleeping with his eyes half-open and his breathing is shallow and his extremities are cool. Yeah, I did a Google search on symptoms of impending death. It feels natural to have him here at home even though I'm getting a bit sleep-deprived. This is how it happened for millennia except without the support of hospice and high-power meds. I am in awe of hospice nurses- it's a whole different type of care and I can see why many go into it. The nurse last night called DH's oncologist to get an OK to increase the frequency of the meds and she said doctors usually just defer to them because end-of-life treatment is not their area of expertise. The nurses have a lot of autonomy to do whatever is necessary to keep the patient comfortable. I hope it's not long now.
|
|
buystoys
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 30, 2012 4:58:12 GMT -5
Posts: 5,650
|
Post by buystoys on Nov 15, 2016 8:20:07 GMT -5
Praying for you and your beloved DH, @athena53.
|
|
giramomma
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 11:25:27 GMT -5
Posts: 22,160
|
Post by giramomma on Nov 15, 2016 8:26:49 GMT -5
I'm sorry. You are in my thoughts.
|
|
GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
Posts: 11,291
|
Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2016 8:27:00 GMT -5
Athena, you are both in my thoughts and prayers. I wish your DH peace and a pain-free journey. It is so very difficult to let our loved ones go. Your grace in these sad moments is an example for all of us. Peace be with you. {{{Athena and her DH}}}.
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Nov 15, 2016 8:33:42 GMT -5
Athena, you are both in my thoughts and prayers. I wish your DH peace and a pain-free journey. It is so very difficult to let our loved ones go. Your grace in these sad moments is an example for all of us. Peace be with you. {{{Athena and her DH}}}. yes, this. So beautifully said.
|
|
cronewitch
Junior Associate
I identify as a post-menopausal childless cat lady and I vote.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:44:20 GMT -5
Posts: 5,979
|
Post by cronewitch on Nov 15, 2016 8:40:10 GMT -5
I hope his passing is peaceful and pain free. Sorry for your troubles.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 13:29:06 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2016 8:40:12 GMT -5
I'm really sorry to hear this. I'll be thinking about you and your DH today and hoping his passing is peaceful.
|
|
cael
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 9:12:36 GMT -5
Posts: 5,745
|
Post by cael on Nov 15, 2016 8:43:42 GMT -5
Athena I'm so sorry.. love to you and your DH.
|
|
Cookies Galore
Senior Associate
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 18:08:13 GMT -5
Posts: 10,892
|
Post by Cookies Galore on Nov 15, 2016 8:47:46 GMT -5
I'm so sorry Athena. I agree on the hospice nurses, they are phenomenal people doing wonderful work.
|
|
janee
Established Member
Joined: May 14, 2014 10:04:48 GMT -5
Posts: 344
|
Post by janee on Nov 15, 2016 8:51:59 GMT -5
You are giving your DH a loving gift by your care. Love and Peace be with you both
|
|
Miss Tequila
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 10:13:45 GMT -5
Posts: 20,602
|
Post by Miss Tequila on Nov 15, 2016 9:01:57 GMT -5
I'm so sorry, Athena. I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through right now. Many hugs and positive thoughts to you and your dh
|
|
skubikky
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 7:37:12 GMT -5
Posts: 3,044
|
Post by skubikky on Nov 15, 2016 9:08:04 GMT -5
You and your husband and in my prayers. The hospice nurses are wonderful, compassionate people, I'm glad that they are there to be with you.
|
|
|
Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Nov 15, 2016 9:10:04 GMT -5
I'm sorry, Athena. Strength and love from this corner.....
|
|
mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
Posts: 31,770
Today's Mood: Saddened by Events
Location: Memory Lane
Favorite Drink: Water
|
Post by mmhmm on Nov 15, 2016 9:13:03 GMT -5
I'm with you in spirit, Athena, and so sorry you're facing this loss. It's good you have hospice care to help through this very difficult time. Thinking of you.
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 39,505
|
Post by chiver78 on Nov 15, 2016 9:14:11 GMT -5
I'm so sorry. love and hugs coming from MA.
|
|
resolution
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:09:56 GMT -5
Posts: 7,247
Mini-Profile Name Color: 305b2b
|
Post by resolution on Nov 15, 2016 9:31:30 GMT -5
I am so sorry. You and your family are in my prayers.
|
|
gs11rmb
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 12:43:39 GMT -5
Posts: 3,371
|
Post by gs11rmb on Nov 15, 2016 9:35:03 GMT -5
I'm so sorry to hear your news. I know you and your husband are regular churchgoers and I hope your religious faith is sustaining both of you at this difficult time.
|
|
Peace77
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 1:42:40 GMT -5
Posts: 3,993
|
Post by Peace77 on Nov 15, 2016 9:36:23 GMT -5
I'm sorry. I hope you are able to rest a little today. Peace and love to you both.
|
|
Tennesseer
Member Emeritus
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:58:42 GMT -5
Posts: 64,585
|
Post by Tennesseer on Nov 15, 2016 9:52:25 GMT -5
Peace to you all, Athena.
|
|
wvugurl26
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:25:30 GMT -5
Posts: 21,890
|
Post by wvugurl26 on Nov 15, 2016 9:59:11 GMT -5
Hugs and prayers for you. Hospice nurses are definitely special people.
|
|
Anne_in_VA
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:09:35 GMT -5
Posts: 5,547
|
Post by Anne_in_VA on Nov 15, 2016 10:05:15 GMT -5
I hope your DH passes peacefully and pain free. You and he are in my thoughts and prayers.
|
|
swasat
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 13, 2011 9:34:28 GMT -5
Posts: 3,735
|
Post by swasat on Nov 15, 2016 10:07:41 GMT -5
So sorry Athena Hopefully both of you find peace in your own ways.
|
|
dannylion
Junior Associate
Gravity is a harsh mistress
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 12:17:52 GMT -5
Posts: 5,213
Location: Miles over the madness horizon and accelerating
|
Post by dannylion on Nov 15, 2016 10:19:39 GMT -5
I'm so sorry, Athena. Holding you and your DH in my thoughts.
Hospice nurses are wonderful.
|
|
flamingo
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 17, 2012 10:38:09 GMT -5
Posts: 1,963
Mini-Profile Name Color: 7c65d4
|
Post by flamingo on Nov 15, 2016 10:23:41 GMT -5
I'm so sorry to hear this, Athena. Sending lots of thoughts and prayers your way.
|
|
jeep108
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 20:20:19 GMT -5
Posts: 1,056
|
Post by jeep108 on Nov 15, 2016 10:28:27 GMT -5
I'm so sorry, hugs, sending prayers your way.
|
|
Lizard Queen
Senior Associate
103/2024
Joined: Jan 17, 2011 22:19:13 GMT -5
Posts: 14,659
|
Post by Lizard Queen on Nov 15, 2016 10:33:59 GMT -5
Hugs and prayers for you. I remember going through the same with my dad, except he went down quickly--1 week from signing up with Hospice to the end. I remember they had a booklet about what to expect--like things you had to Google. I couldn't read it, but my brother said it was helpful.
|
|
raeoflyte
Senior Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 15:43:53 GMT -5
Posts: 15,019
Member is Online
|
Post by raeoflyte on Nov 15, 2016 10:34:26 GMT -5
I'm so sorry Athena. We're thinking of you and your dh.
|
|
bean29
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 22:26:57 GMT -5
Posts: 10,213
|
Post by bean29 on Nov 15, 2016 10:34:58 GMT -5
I'm so sorry Althena. Peace to you and your DH. My Dad was in Hospice at the end and agree completely about the Hospice Nurses. They make everything so much easier for both the patient and the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you
|
|
dee27
Senior Member
Joined: Sept 28, 2016 21:08:12 GMT -5
Posts: 2,211
|
Post by dee27 on Nov 15, 2016 10:39:29 GMT -5
Hugs and prayers for Athena and her DH. When my dad was in hospice care, the nurses used liquid morphine under his tongue. I hope your DH has a peaceful and pain free departure. Please take some time each day to renew yourself.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 13:29:06 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2016 10:55:10 GMT -5
An update: DH died, probably as I was writing that post. Well, he wouldn't be surprised at that! He'd been on enough meds that I'm sure it was peaceful. The hospice nurse has come and gone and the social worker is here till the funeral home arrives to remove DH's body. I'll be OK- have already talked to DS and to my Dad, who's just been though all of this with my mother's passing on October 4.
He died at home, without aggressive medical intervention, just as he wanted. I wouldn't have had it any other way. It's how people used to pass away before the medical industry intervened, with the added support of hospsice and plentiful quantities of morphine.
At this point it's a relief for both of us.
|
|