My mother in law was admitted into the hospital over the Christmas holiday. She was having a rough day with more trouble than usual breathing and we had her situated in her recliner watching tv. I was making Christmas goodies and was taking her little plates of soft candy to try. She loves my cooking and I make a lot of things just for her that are easy for her to eat. She wasn’t really eating like she usually would and even with oxygen was breathing very labored.
We ended up taking her to the hospital where she stayed for a few days before the Doctor came to talk to us about hospice. He explained that her lungs are sticky and she just isn’t able to take the deep breaths needed to expand them. She will be bed bound as she is to weak to even turn herself in bed now. He then gave us a few choices, try to take her home with limited resources for help and keep coming back to the hospital where they will send her home because nothing can be done, a nursing home which has never been an option for us, or the hospice house.
We want her to have the very best care and know that the hospice house is the right choice. It’s not an easy one at the time. I know I didn’t think it would happen this soon. She is in good spirits for the most part. When she was being admitted a social worker asked her if she was worried about anything and she said “I’m just worried because my son needs to eat lunch, he’s a diabetic.” That’s Linda, a Momma above everything else. It’s been true blessing for our family as we can now enjoy visiting with her, she is taken care of around the clock, she has a beautiful private room and we can even bring her dogs to visit. B goes every day to feed her lunch. He brings her milkshakes, flowers for Valentine’s Day, and doughnuts. I bring her pretty nightgowns, brush her hair, paint her nails, and we talk about the local gossip. Our kids sit beside her,hold her hand, talk about work, school, and we all say i love you, we miss you at home, the girls are fine. I’m glad she now has visitors, people bring her flowers. The girl who cleaned her house, old friends, co-workers, and family. The nurses and caregivers at the hospice house all love her. She makes them laugh and she is always thanking them for everything they do.
We try to be happy. We are so grateful when she is able to talk to us, to know she’s being taken care of. Praying for comfort and peace for us all.