When I think of October, I think of Halloween - one of my favorite holidays. I love seeing children dressed up, excited, running house to house. I enjoyed Halloween as a mother because I would meet new neighbors and visit with friends as we walked with the children.
With Halloween, I also thought of scary things - so I guess it is appropriate that this October we have to face this scary new part of our life - Hospice.
Hospice has always meant the end - giving up...
I am learning doctors recommend hospice when the patients life expectancy is less than six months.
I am learning it also means providing comfort and cherishing the moment.
How much time do we have?
No diagnosis = no prognosis
There is a Palliative Care specialist reviewing Steve's chart. He said yesterday that when people are declining month by month - they have months to live, declining week by week - weeks to live, day by day - days to live. That makes sense to me and is a formula I can remember.
Steve is definitely worse than last month. That is scary.
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I am so sorry Mary. This has been such a long hard fight for both of you. You are both amazing people that inspire me.
ReplyDeleteI understand that hospice sounds like giving up, but the people that work in hospice are very special people that know how to make whatever time you still have with Steve the best it can be for both of you. It would be great if in the mean time they could find the diagnosis so they can find a cure. Until then I am thinking of both of you. Please let me know if I can help.
Shannon
Just a thought:
ReplyDeleteH - How Happy I am to know you and Steve
O - Overwhelming love you have for others
S - Successful in all you take on
P - Parents to four wonderful children
I - Inlaws who gave my son lots of love
C - Conducts your life near perfectly
E - Example of how to live your life well!!!
Thank you Steve and Mary for this blog. I've gotten to keep up almost as if I were there. I've laughed, cried, prayed, and just plain been mad a time or two for you. But I know that the Lord is in charge, and the plan will go forth. He knows the beginning from the end, and I know that you will be an eternal family in the world to come. Bless you both for your strength and example to me. I love you both.
Joyce