We were just getting started with Palliative Care and it was decided that we were better suited for Hospice. I had no idea we would qualify for Hospice this early (of course, who knows how early it really is). I am so thankful for this. The benefits are probably as good as you can get in the U.S.
Incidentally, the day after this was decided, Sandy took a downturn. He declined about a month ago, and then about three weeks later, another decline. Prior to that, he had had a plateau for four months. His body has been leaning extremely to the right or left every day for the last six days, and in the last couple of days, he is leaning forward. That's a tough one. He is also slower to respond and more lethargic (a bit spaced out sometimes). And it seems that his swallowing has slowed way down and he's coughing a bit more. All of these symptoms came as a package deal. He'd been having most of these but it seemed that they accelerated all at the same time.
The ceiling mounted electronic hoist was installed the same day that the Hospice nurse came to sign us up. I think the hoist will be extremely helpful once we get the right lift bar. The company sent the wrong one so we have to wait another week or so for the replacement. In the meantime, this one is difficult to use. Just used it this evening for the first time. I was going to wait until the OT came on Friday to have a little training on the device but we were forced into using it as Sandy could not stand up on the Sara Stedy tonight. On the job training.
It feels like we've entered a whole new realm with this disease.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we'll have our family together. So thankful for that.
Goodnight all and a very Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
Joy
New home-hospice patient
Respite but not respite
Hospice consult
Hospice respite
Palliative/Hospice Care Part 2 The Disaster.
