Day 3.
The hospice coordinator (Lou- female) came this morning to get the ball rolling.
I ended up signing off on most of the paperwork including enrollment in care, DNR, etc.
At roughly the same time my Aunt (Moms' older sister), Kay came for a visit with her son (my cousin), Michael. It has been about 22 years since I've seen either of them. I figure this stay in Wisconsin will be rife with visits/reunions like this. What was a little awkward was when I both greeted and said my farewells to my cousin: I typically do the hand shake thing with people I don't know (which applies to relatives, or so I thought). He went in for the full-on cousinly hug. Weird.
My aunt has not (physically) changed one bit. It was pretty surreal. On the other hand, I remember my cousin as being incredibly athletic with dark hair. I wouldn't have recognized him if we had passed each other on the sidewalk; average but not as seemingly muscular and barely any pepper left in the hair.
Some friends (Chris and "Ozzy") also stopped by for a visit. I met them the last time I was here and I really like them; super good people. Chris especially shares my penchant for over-speaking the truth as we see it. Just don't get her started on politics!
Later in the evening (at our desire to expedite the services) the hospice company delivered a hospital bed, commode and wheelchair. Now, the dining room looks like a room from the hospital we just brought her home from... weird, huh?
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6 comments:
Hi Miles, it's good to know you've got some supportive friends and rellies to rally around. And the dining room might look like the hospital room but it's not surrounded by other sick people so that's good for Mom.
Where are you sleeping now? have you got some privacy?
Big virtual hug, KaiteM.
As difficult as this may be, I'm sure your mother appreciates having you there. I lost my mother to cancer twenty years ago- the time we had at home with hospice, and being with her when she passed, are memories I cherish. And, sounds like you have support also. You are in my thoughts--
I hope my children turn out just like you. My thoughts are with you in this hard time.
Lurking Linda
Be prepared for a lot of hugging. When people know that nothing they say is going to make it all better, they hug. Accept them as wish that things could be better.
And accept a virtual hug from me, as well. What you are going through is stirring memories in me.
Miles, I'm glad that you're there for your mom, and I hope that you have the support you need to get through this whole process. You certainly have mine! **hugs**
Thank you, very much for all the on-line support, friends. The surreal world I (we) live in has been quite the trip. I've been quite busy (as you all can well imagine) but I'll try to post an update later on.
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