The trek to “70” is not easy on many different levels, and the search for the daily candy is strenuous.
We’re facing another difficult situation. My mother, Madeline, achieved her 91st birthday this past January. Wonderful, you might think. Unfortunately, her health has deteriorated rapidly over the past five months. She has been in and out of hospitals and rehab institutions during that time. Mom lay in bed staring at the ceiling wondering where she was.
Two days ago we had to come to grips with the decision of choosing hospice for Mom. The family discussed this matter at length after considering the input from the medical staff. We opted to choose hospice.
Even though Mom expressed the desire to die, signing the piece of paper that committed her to this course of action was extremely taxing. One wonders if you are playing God. Anyway, we moved forward.
Her mouth is constantly parched, and being able to drink nectar-thick fluids is not satisfying. As we were reminiscing about old days, I told her the story of an old friend. His mother-in-law was in failing health and was constantly dry of mouth. This woman took to sipping beer to moisten her mouth. One day his wife was concerned when she saw her mother nearly comatose on the bed. Our friend leaned over and smelled her breath and assured his wife that there was nothing wrong with her mother. She was only drunk.
Well, Mom had a good laugh at the story. Before I left that day I told Mom that I would bring her a Budweiser the next day. She laughed again.
Her laughter was my candy for the day.
We’re facing another difficult situation. My mother, Madeline, achieved her 91st birthday this past January. Wonderful, you might think. Unfortunately, her health has deteriorated rapidly over the past five months. She has been in and out of hospitals and rehab institutions during that time. Mom lay in bed staring at the ceiling wondering where she was.
Two days ago we had to come to grips with the decision of choosing hospice for Mom. The family discussed this matter at length after considering the input from the medical staff. We opted to choose hospice.
Even though Mom expressed the desire to die, signing the piece of paper that committed her to this course of action was extremely taxing. One wonders if you are playing God. Anyway, we moved forward.
Her mouth is constantly parched, and being able to drink nectar-thick fluids is not satisfying. As we were reminiscing about old days, I told her the story of an old friend. His mother-in-law was in failing health and was constantly dry of mouth. This woman took to sipping beer to moisten her mouth. One day his wife was concerned when she saw her mother nearly comatose on the bed. Our friend leaned over and smelled her breath and assured his wife that there was nothing wrong with her mother. She was only drunk.
Well, Mom had a good laugh at the story. Before I left that day I told Mom that I would bring her a Budweiser the next day. She laughed again.
Her laughter was my candy for the day.
Ciao
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