Hospice

When Dad was battling mesothelioma seven years ago, hospice was called to help him with his needs during the final months of his life.  I learned about the process second hand since I was in Indiana and knew what Greta told me.  Gary and I were there when Dad died, and I found the caring compassion of the hospice nurse who came to assist us the morning of his death to be very comforting and efficient.

We now are experiencing hospice firsthand with Agnes, Gary's mother.  After the last hospitalization over the weekend, the doctor recommended that we help her be as comfortable as possible and suggested calling hospice.  The nurse helping us found Jasper County Hospice was available for our area, and the process began.

Over the last two days we have been visited by the entrance nurse, the nurse assigned to Agnes, and the case worker.  The emphasis is on keeping Agnes comfortable.  There will be no more visits to Dr. Regan. There will be no more CT scans.  There will be no more scooping out of the tumors.  Comfort is the focus.

After the visits of the two nurses, they agreed that she needs round the clock care,and more than what we can give her.  Much as we want to help her and care for her, there are limitations, or as Toni, the case worker  said, life.  There are times when I need to take care of the kiddos.  I will need to go to Ohio for mom's valve replacement procedure. Gary is still harvesting soybeans.. Karen works at the bank and has a home to care for.  Sandy isn't available to help.  Mike is in Kansas.

Transfer to a nursing home is being considered.  Medicaid application will be necessary.  Tough decisions are needed.

But through it all, hospice will be with us to help, to answer questions, to support our decisions, to reassure us that our decisions are good ones, and mainly to help Agnes remain comfortable and attend to her needs in her final stages of life.

What a blessing they are and will continue to be.