2dreams - Its Spring In Mississippi w/pallet bed pic

[2dream]

Finally arrived at hospice at 3 o'clock today. Everything was suppose to be set for 10 this morning but holiday weekend, no notes in her file, all the paperwork not done, someone forgot to schedule the ambulance and on and on.

The facility is absolutely wonderful. Very soothing and peaceful.

I have to tell you all this. My mom is 89. And has been totally out of it for weeks and making no sense what so ever when she talked. Either we could not understand her at all or the sentences were so garbled there was no way to follow what she was trying to say. Well, today while waiting for the ambulance she informed me and my DD that she was furious because Ben Carwright had not come to see her and none of his sons had come either. We discussed Hoss and Little Joe and Adam. She told us all about those boys growing up and some of their adventures. She said Ben sure had a hard time with those boys. As silly as that sounds we discussed the Cartwright as if they really existed, it was the cutest conversation, and we laughed until we cried.

Momma always had a crush on Ben. She thought he was the handsomest man alive and I remember growing up and never missing that show because Momma said we had to watch.

My daughter and I will remember that conversation forever and it will always make us smile.

Life is good folks, enjoy it while you can. Watch TV if thats what you want, plant your gardens, admire the flowers, hug your loved ones and have silly conversations.

 

[noobiechickenlady]

Life is certainly filled with difficult choices. I'm glad you got to have that conversation with your mom

I hope you remain at peace with this and get to share more moments like this with your mom.

 

[rebecca100]

That memory will be very dear to you later on.My mom was on hospice for nearly 2 years(not supposed to be there over one year-she was only 60). Unfortunately my strongest memory is working nights and telling her that I would not be over to visit because I was too tired-maybe tomorrow and hearing her disappointment. Her heart failed that night while I was at work -at the hospital and getting called by the charge nurse to go to the emergency room and then being told there was nothing they could do.

On a better note-If your mother is on strong pain pills then that will have an effect on her lucidity. The lady I take care of now go from almost totally lucid to hallucinating and not making a lick of sense and angry at everyone when she takes a whole pain pill. We give her half most of the time and it relieves her pain without the effects.

 

[lorihadams]

We had to deal with this with hubby's nanny...it's hard on everybody involved. We have her in a good private home and she seems pretty happy most of the time but doesn't know me or the kids anymore. Still remembers Chad though, he'll always be "her boy".

 

[freemotion]

 

[keljonma]

and prayers, Wanda. My mother was on hospice at home the last year and 9 months of her life, due to pancreatic cancer. Although it sounds strange, I do have wonderful memories of the people involved in the Hospice organization. The visiting nurse, therapists (massage, music, etc), and care she received were all 5 star. My dad had Alzheimer's at the time, and they even visited with him when they came to see mom.

We found that getting dad to talk about the old days - from his teens through early adulthood - were very easy. Sometimes we would show dad an old photo and he could identify every person and the event taking place (usually the reason for the photo being taken in the early 1900's). We were able to fill in some missing family information this way, and heard dad remembering happier times. Maybe this might work with your mom as well.

 

[Farmfresh]

We are just venturing onto the Alzheimer's road with my dad. It is good to know that hospice is out there for when we need them.

 

[2dream]

My mother passed away at 3 o'clock this afternoon. She went very quitely and is finally at peace.

She was a wonderful woman who lived a very long and good life.

She would have been 90 on September 9th of this year. She was healthy and retained her mind until a few months ago.

I am thankful for the length of time I had with her and I am thankful that her last week was spent in a wonderful hospice center that took excellent care of her and made her last days comfortable and peaceful.

May we all be so blessed as to find that kind of careing and comfort, and pass into the next life in our sleep.

God bless you Mom. Gone from my life but not my heart.

The Funeral Fork,
author unknown
The young rector was visiting an elderly lady in his parish, who had been ill for some time. It was a bittersweet day. She was his favorite parishioner, and both of them knew it would probably be their last time together. As he got up to leave, she said to him, "I have one special request for my funeral, Father," so he sat back down to listen. "After I am laid out, before the guests arrive at the viewing, I want you to place a fork in my right hand," she began. "A fork?" he asked. "Yes, I know it must sound odd," she continued. "But please put a silver fork in my hand. I have been a member of this parish for almost sixty years, and I have been to lots of church dinners. Invariably, as the meals ended, someone has always yelled out, "Hold your forks. And then, the most marvelous treats have come. Flaky, fresh apple pie; rich, dark chocolate cake; tangy lemon meringue pie. Always the very best part of the meal." "When you put that fork in my hand, it will be a way to assure my friends, that for me, the best part of my life, the life eternal, is coming.

 

[justusnak]

To you and your family as you go through this. I am so glad you have that wonderfull memory of chatting with her. You and your daughter will both have a great memory to fall back on when you need it most.

 

[FarmerChick]

I am so sorry for your loss. At least it was a great goodbye for you and hope all is well 2dream. Take care!!