Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Hospice
Keith and I made a tough decision this week. After much criteria had been unfortunately met by Keith such as barely being able to walk, more difficulty eating certain foods resulting in dangerous coughing and more, and with the help of the Palliative or Partners nurse we said yes to Hospice. They will soon set up a meeting to admit him into the program and explain more about its services. They will come to our home and will abide lovingly to Keith's wishes. They don't hover. They should offer some support for both he and I. I will keep you informed as we learn and live more of Hospice. The most important thing we would want you to know is that Hospice isn't a death sentence. In fact, some people even "graduate" out of Hospice.
I have been thinking a lot about "respite" care a lot. Many of you don't know what it is. I am learning that there are a few types of respite. For me, let's call it a "relief" for the caregiver. It's like when I ran track and handed off the baton to the next girl on our team with such relief that I was done. Ok, so I only anchored the relays throughout high school and college. But when I went to the Nat'l team a few times, I was among such wonderful and faster girls that I got to experience "the handing off of the baton," so I know what it feels like.
Anyway, I am asking to hand off the baton to you, our friends. Most of us do not like asking for help. We see it as weak or whatever, myself included. It was only lately I realized this was wrong. And what led me to think this is understanding that Keith "has" to ask for everything. So if he sees me feel bad about asking other friends for help, what might that mean to him. I'm not sure he is thinking about that at all because he is just trying to take the next step, literally, each hour. Plus he's not too into worrying about that kind of stuff as most of you know =)
So thanks for listening. You may not realize how much knowing you are there and here helps. Once I told you guys we needed help, you did it! Now to organize it and you've even offered to do that. For that and much more, Keith and I say thanks. We love you =)
I have been thinking a lot about "respite" care a lot. Many of you don't know what it is. I am learning that there are a few types of respite. For me, let's call it a "relief" for the caregiver. It's like when I ran track and handed off the baton to the next girl on our team with such relief that I was done. Ok, so I only anchored the relays throughout high school and college. But when I went to the Nat'l team a few times, I was among such wonderful and faster girls that I got to experience "the handing off of the baton," so I know what it feels like.
Anyway, I am asking to hand off the baton to you, our friends. Most of us do not like asking for help. We see it as weak or whatever, myself included. It was only lately I realized this was wrong. And what led me to think this is understanding that Keith "has" to ask for everything. So if he sees me feel bad about asking other friends for help, what might that mean to him. I'm not sure he is thinking about that at all because he is just trying to take the next step, literally, each hour. Plus he's not too into worrying about that kind of stuff as most of you know =)
So thanks for listening. You may not realize how much knowing you are there and here helps. Once I told you guys we needed help, you did it! Now to organize it and you've even offered to do that. For that and much more, Keith and I say thanks. We love you =)
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