I have talked with some by e-mail and I am now posting here because the Hospice Nurse was here this morning and we are now having Paul on Hospice Comfort Meds only. I signed Hospice on last Friday, Monday he walked with my assistance into our local Fire Department to buy some of their Christmas Candy and Tuesday he sang Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer including the reindeer names, with his part-time caregiver. Since Tuesday he has been on a very deep decline to yesterday evening being non-responsive.
We talked with the nurse twice in the night last night and he is on Morphine every 4 hours along with their other comfort meds. He is unresponsive and urine output, in the cathater, is dark brown. They sent a hospital bed this morning and we now have him settled in for the duration. The Hospice Nurse has no time-frame because of how fast he has declined this week. Bath Aide is coming at least every other day and Nurse and assistant weekly or as needed. Hospice is wonderful to talk with and explain things to us in easy to understand terms. He is running a low temp. and she said it may go up to 106 and that is ok, it will most likely be down to normal in 24 hours. This is the normal process they go through when the organs are shutting down. She took a urine specimen to be checked but she doesn't think he has a UTI and if he does - what good it it going to do us except we will find out he did have one. I hope this is not too much information for you, if so I apologize but I know I was curious about what was going to happen and now I am seeing it first hand. Fran wrote me this morning and said it was 6 days from this point for Hank. It was 11 days for my Mother. Both our daughters and son in law have been here almost constantly and I am letting them take charge. Right now we are all a bit crazy trying to get supplies and things organized. Thanks so much for all the support and I know you are all thinking of us right now. Lois (We have had many blessings one of which he has always known all of us and everyone else and was still doing "one liners night before last". My daughter was leaning over trying to straighten his head and he told her "she was getting more like her mother every day".
Lois, I'm so sorry you've reached this point, but I'm afraid that's how this awful disease seems to work. When Frances finally became non-responsive and stopped taking food and water (after being under hospice care for 3 months and in a hospital bed here at home the last month), the hospice doctor advised us that she probably wouldn't last for more than about another five days, which proved to be true. Realizing that there was nothing further that I could do beyond just trying to keep her free of pain and be there with her, I started making plans at that point for a memorial service nominally a week later. I think our son summed it up very well when he said, “I guess we decided that as long as she’s not sad, lonely, or in pain, then everything is as it should be.”
Big gourd hugs to help you through the coming difficult days.
Lois - comforting thoughts to you and yours during this stressful time. prayers your Paul finds peace soon and will soon be out of his pain and suffering. hugs, divvi
Imohr - Thanks for sharing all this info with us. No, it wasn't too much. It helps to know all this. I'm so sorry. I wish you peace and love in the coming days.
Gourdchipper, I wrote both our obit. 3 years ago and daughter is updating now. Other daughter has been compiling a Bio of his life along with pictures and she is updating that also. The girls will read the bio at the funeral which is going to be a Celebration of his Life. My cousin will be singing and piano and I told her we wanted Praise songs instead of "Funeral Songs". Also, 3 yrs. ago I set up arrangements with the Funeral Home. I believe in doing things ahead and feel relieved to do so, but with things like this I was on my own choosing caskets for us and my Mom. Most people do not want to think about these things until they have to. Thank you for your input on this very important event we will all be facing sooner or later. Some of you have already "been there and done that"
I cannot stress enough the value of having this Website has been to me. Thank you Joan.
Lois, I am praying for "peace that passes understanding" for you, your family and most of all for Paul. He is very fortunate to have been loved by you. You have been an inspiration to me. Your strength and resolve are awesome. Keep in touch please. Phyllis
Lois, I wish you peace and strength in the coming days. Please find comfort that you did all you could to take care of Paul and keep him happy. God Bless.
Lois, God bless you during this time. My prayers are with you all. I guess this is what we can all expect, and how amazing that it's happening so quickly. Bless you.
Lois, thank you for your information. We all know how AD ends, but still are not prepared for it. God bless you and take care of you and your awesome family. Grannywhiskers
Thinking of you during your d/h passing. May you have the peace that passes all understanding . You are indeed fortunate that Paul has always known all of you and could communicate with you. May his transition to eternal life be an easy one.
Lois, though this is a difficult time, I pray Paul has an easy passing and you are granted the Peace of knowing you saw him through. I really like the plans to CELEBRATE his life and have the "Praise songs" not funeral ones. You will also be Celebrating your victory over ALZ in seeing Paul through and surviving the process. Peace and love enfold you. (hugs) Carol
Imhor, you have fought the bravest fight and he was fortunate and blessed to have you. You are an example to me and many others. Thank you so much and be at peace.
Lois, I'm sitting here trying to type with tears in my eyes. I am so moved by your strength. You are an amazing woman. I am so proud of you and so lucky to have you as a friend. I also hope that when our time comes we can Celebrate as you have described. After all we all have gone through and continue to go through, a celebration of passing into a better place and a celebration of survival is most fitting. Arms around, Susan
My prayers are for peace and comfort to sustain you, Lois, and your family. My prayers are also for Paul to feel the love and peace as you and his children gently guide him along this final stage of his journey. God Bless you all.
Lois, my thoughts are with you and your family as Paul's life here draws to a close. I pray his passing is peaceful and quick, and that you and your children find comfort in knowing that you made his journey through this awful disease as easy as you could. ((((hugs))))
Lois, you have done everything possible to make Paul's life the best it could be, and have given him all of the love and care that is in you. He knew that, and he held on for you. The end is never easy nor smooth, and we can be grateful our family is there with us. You know that your "family" here at Joan's treasures your friendship and are holding hands to give you strength in the days ahead.
Lois, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you find peace at the end of this long road and that you know you have done all you could. I have treasured reading your posts and seeing how dignified you handled it all. Grace be with you. With much love, Dianne
(((((Lois))))) I can't add anything more than what has been said already. I am glad your family is there with you. I hope Paul's passing is peaceful. You and your family are in my heart and prayers.
Lois, I am so sorry to learn of Paul's decline. I had no idea he was this far into the AZ. My thoughts and prayers are with both of you. {{{{{HUGS}}}}} JoAn
Lois, my thoughts are with you also. Yours was probably the first name I saw when I first posted fall of 2007. Seemed you were always right there reassuring those in need that you understood and if you didn't have the answer you assured us someone would be along soon. You have such an enormously generous heart and I can't imagine this site without you. Love....