My mil was put on hospice back around the first part of March. Now she can use her feet and legs to move around in a wheelchair somewhat. Feeds herself. But we still have to pick her up to the bedside faculties and hold her up.
This really is a question for discussion with MD. I agree with AMZ that this is likely something in which you are seeing improvement which may or may not be temporary. The MD knows the patients best. Hopefully someone with POA can fully discuss diagnosis and prognosis.
Improvement is common but I wouldn't consider it "beaten". There are peaks and valleys with all disease.
Hospice will evaluate and determine if it should continue based on the criteria and medical need. If the improvement is determined that hospice is no longer needed then they will discontinue. When a decline happens then Hospice can be reinstated.
Celebrate the victories of improvement and cherish the days of life that remain.
There is no beating cirrhosis of the liver. The liver is damaged. The only option is a liver transplant and MIL maybe too old for that. My neighbor was taken off the donor list at 75.
Thanks for your response. I wish it was better news, but thank you. She is 81, and to old for the donor list. I guess we just be glad for the time we have. Thanks again.
"Improving" once on Hospice is common. It is probably due to m ore frequent medical attention. The nurse comes each week. A CNA comes 2 times a week and gives a bath or shower. Both have positive impact on physical and mental health. Not to mention some of the "pressure" is off you so you become more relaxed. The Hospice nurse can give you an expected course as to what will happen in the future. What they can't give is a timeline. Take the good days for what they are.
by the way if it gets to the point where picking mom up is a problem ask about a Sit to Stand that will help you transfer her from bed to commode or to her chair more easily. Or if she has no strength in her legs and can't stand at all a Hoyer Lift will help with transfers. Both much safer than trying to transfer her without equipment.
Probably not. It's not uncommon for folks under hospice care to improve somewhat and then decline again. It's part of the end of life roller-coaster. My late husband was under hospice care in our home for the last 22 months of his life and he would decline, then improve some, then decline, then improve some and so on and so on. Until his decline was irreversible. His hospice nurse told me that she thought the reason my husband lasted so long was because I took such good care of him, so perhaps that's the same with your MIL. So I will just say enjoy whatever time you may have left with her.
Thank you so much for your response. I am sorry for what you went through and what we are going through. But we can both say we don't have regrets that we did and are doing what we could and can. God bless you sweet soul.
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I agree with AMZ that this is likely something in which you are seeing improvement which may or may not be temporary. The MD knows the patients best. Hopefully someone with POA can fully discuss diagnosis and prognosis.
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Hospice will evaluate and determine if it should continue based on the criteria and medical need. If the improvement is determined that hospice is no longer needed then they will discontinue. When a decline happens then Hospice can be reinstated.
Celebrate the victories of improvement and cherish the days of life that remain.
The Hospice nurse can give you an expected course as to what will happen in the future. What they can't give is a timeline.
Take the good days for what they are.
by the way if it gets to the point where picking mom up is a problem ask about a Sit to Stand that will help you transfer her from bed to commode or to her chair more easily. Or if she has no strength in her legs and can't stand at all a Hoyer Lift will help with transfers. Both much safer than trying to transfer her without equipment.
My late husband was under hospice care in our home for the last 22 months of his life and he would decline, then improve some, then decline, then improve some and so on and so on. Until his decline was irreversible.
His hospice nurse told me that she thought the reason my husband lasted so long was because I took such good care of him, so perhaps that's the same with your MIL.
So I will just say enjoy whatever time you may have left with her.