Hospice...Daughter

To the ladies that have not chosen this journey, but have joined together to fight against OVC; and have found strength and courage in each other:

I am the daughter of San Antonio Lassie. I come to you at her request; as she has not had strenght enough to sit and write this herself. She wants you to know that hospice has been a blessing. She is given what she needs to minimize and manage pain, however, the meds leave her exhausted and woozey...but, for the most part, no pain. Edema is getting worse, from the waist down. Massage therapy helps keep some of it down and the choice of a lavender spa oil is very relaxing. (What she doesn't tell you is that her 20 year old granddaughter is a massage therapist and her daughter doesn't do a bad job either...LOL). Meds include a 72 hour Fentenal patch (pain) and a 72 hour nausea patch (goes behind the ear). There is a diaretic for the water build up, Lactolose (to get stuff moving) and she takes breathing treatments because fluid is now collecting in her lungs. If the above meds aren't enough, there is always the morphine. Morphine really zaps her and oh, beware of the nausea patch that goes behind your ear! It makes your mouth so dry....that you can spit straw. If that isn't a good enough description, mom says that it feels like the whole Russian army marched through her mouth! I guess the most important thing that she wanted me to tell you is that she is not in much pain. And what a comfort to be in your own home, in your own bed, surrounded by your family.....oh, and puppies.

She wants so desperately to get on the computer and share herself. Even if she can muster up the energy, typing on the computer is getting more difficult. Fingers just don't move they way they should. It is her hope to make it to the computer tomorrow, but in the chance that she doesn't, she wants you to know that you are lifted in thought and prayer. She will tell you that she does not know what tomorrow holds, but she is confident in WHO holds tomorrow. She is in no pain, fear or doubt.

She sends big Texas hugs to all of you. She is blessed and highly favored and so are each of you. Blessings to each of you,
Kimberly

By chrystynh
Reply 453109
May 3, 2011 at 4:34 am
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Big hugs in return, Kimberly. I hope your Mom is having a good night's rest, and you all are too. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

By ET61
Reply 453122
May 3, 2011 at 6:29 am
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Kimberly,

Thanks os much for the update. Your mom is so wonderful to be sharing her experience. So many women wonder what hospice would be like. Even in her own pain and suffereins she is thinking of us. I wish that I could meet her but her sharing here is letting me know what kind of person she is - so loving.

Still praying for you and your mom,

Eileen

By verlinda
Reply 453129
May 3, 2011 at 6:55 am
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Kimberly,

Thank you for sharing your mom's insights.

What a blessing she is and how precious each of you must be! Your love for each other leaps off the page.
ADHD drugs are beginning to be used in hospice care, so the patient can be more alert, but still control pain. If you think it would help your mom, you may want to ask the hospice nurses about them.

You are in our prayers. Tell your mom how much she means to us.

Blessings and strength.

By lisa59
Reply 453130
May 3, 2011 at 6:58 am
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Your mother (and you) are amazing to be sharing her journey with us. What your mom is going through is what we all fear--but look at her grace and acceptance--it's awesome. She is blazing a trail for us to follow, maybe from cancer or maybe something else--I feel as though she is a teacher for us, as we all will die eventually. Will you please share my heartfelt thanks with her and tell her not to worry about coming online--best to use her strength for being with her family and loved ones. And thank you for taking up that work for her!
Lisa

By lifeisgrand
Reply 453145
May 3, 2011 at 7:42 am
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Please tell your Mom thank you. It is such a blessing to have you both share your experiences with us. So many times ladies drop off the grid only to hear of their passing which has left me with such sadness and uncertainty not knowing how they are doing. For me, the thought of dying isn't that scary but the process of dying does frighten me. It has been a lovely gift you are sharing.

By ChrisT1
Reply 453161
May 3, 2011 at 7:58 am
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Dear Kimberly, thank you and San Antonio Lassie for sharing this very difficult experience with us..... she's in our thoughts. When I last wrote we talked about her homecoming and what a glorious homecoming it will be....... May she find the strength when she needs it most.

Please send her my love and best wishes, it's truly inspirational to see her ready acceptance of her circumstances.
All the best to you both.
Chris

By 35gasparini
Reply 453163
May 3, 2011 at 8:03 am
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My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Mom and your family. Like you, as a daughter I went through the same thing with my Mom this past December - it is incredibly hard, the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life, but I am forever thankful that I was able to be with my Mom every step of the way, every moment, to hold her, hug and kiss her, tell her how much I loved her and tell her how incredibly lucky I was that God sent me to her. You are your Mom's light and her love. Your Mom from all her postings is an incredibly strong, loving and remarkable woman, much like my Mom - my thoughts and prayers and strength are with you as you travel down the emotional journey.

By Rosiclare
Reply 453167
May 3, 2011 at 8:20 am
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Your mom is so unselfish to share this part of her journey with us. She truly knows that we all fear the unknown and she is trying to prepare us for this part of our journey. You are a wonderful daughter who can put aside her own needs to meet the needs of your mother and to help share her with all of us. I wish you all the endurance you need to complete this journey. Sending positive thoughts and love to your mother and her family.

By NanHart
Reply 453178
May 3, 2011 at 8:37 am
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Hospice was there for my mom also. They do everything possible to make you comforable and as painfree as they can. To be able to be at home is a wonderful thing and your mom has you too! Enjoy every moment you can spend together!!

By Palie
Reply 453179
May 3, 2011 at 8:38 am
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Dear Kimberly,

Thank you so much for being the angel bearing news and knowledge to us all from your dear mom. Please give her our love and gratitude for all she has done and is still doing for our community and this cause. YOu are both so filled with love, it is obvious. Blessings to you and the whole family. Take care of yourself and know we are here for you at this challenging time. Much, much love!

By MommaDukes
Reply 453185
May 3, 2011 at 8:46 am
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Thank you for sharing the update on your mother...what a blessing it is to have family, Hospice and the grace of God. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Warm hugs from Florida....

By kennebec
Reply 453193
May 3, 2011 at 8:55 am
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My thoughts and prayers are with San Antonio Lassie (I've always loved her name!).
She has been and continues to be an inspiration to me. Wish I could give her a hug and pray with her right there, but I can't, so please know that I pray for her here in my own home.

By schound2
Reply 453213
May 3, 2011 at 9:33 am
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Thanks so much for taking time to give us updates. Your mom must be proud of such a caring and compassionate daughter. Give her my best wishes and prayers for a continued pain free journey.
God bless--Sandra

By 3978bee
Reply 453221
May 3, 2011 at 9:43 am
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Thank you and your mom for sharing this journey with those of us who will follow. I will share your posts with my son and daughter who will one day be in your shoes. You are both a mentor and inspiration for all of us. Thank you. You both are covered in prayer.

By island_girl
Reply 453223 · In reply to 453109 by chrystynh
May 3, 2011 at 9:49 am
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God Bless you! Warm hugs and love from all of us! So glad that she is not in pain and looking forward for her to be on the computer tomorrow. Thinking of you!

By emercyn
Reply 453235
May 3, 2011 at 10:13 am
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Kimberly,

Thank you so much for sharing how you mom is doing. I lift both of you in my prayers to Jesus. I am thankful she is not in pain. Please give her a great big hug for me. She has inspired me since I have been on this site.

With much love,
Cindy

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