I just got off the phone with the hospice nurse, mom’s condition has worsened substantially over the weekend. She’s exhaused and has stopped taking food. Her blood pressure is down and she sleeps a lot.
She’s having difficulty with memory and other cognitive tasks. Its safe to say, its the beginning of the end. I’m gratefull - this has not been an overly-long process and Mom isn’t complaining of any pain. Hopefully this phase will be mercifully short, and mom can get some peace.
At this point we need to give mom her peace. The nurses say that when people visit she tries to be the “consumate hostess”. It takes a lot out of her – energy she needs to get through these last few days. Please, no more visits or phone calls. Kate Bridget and Gram will still be visiting with Mom briefly over the next few days – mostly to hold her hand and be quiet together. She won’t be alone.
Thank you all for the love and support you’ve shown over the past weeks, it has been a comfort to Mom and the family.
Trip
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Mom's Friends are Amazing....
Eileen used to work at Hopice of Wake County, North Carolina.
While she was there she tried to organize a craft fair to raise money for the Inpatient Hospice facility that they are building. She got sick before she was able to get the craft show organized. This idea went on the back burner for awhile. Eileen got a call from one of her friends, Merrie Aust, who explained that she and Alison Stevens decided to organize the craft show.
They have been busy emailing and putting out flyers and the response has been terrific. The donations will go to the Reflection's Garden which is a place for the children to go. A plaque will be put in the garden with Eileen's name. Eileen was thrilled and honored that this was happening. She has even asked that they sell some of the baskets she made and the last tie chair.
If you are interested in donating to this wonderful cause please send your donation to
Hospice of Wake County
1300St Mary's Street 4th Floor
Raleigh, NC 27605
Attn: Merrie Aust
Please put Eileen McGuire on the check or on a note so that it will all goto the Reflection's garden.
If you have any questions please contact Bridget at 703-508-1102.
While she was there she tried to organize a craft fair to raise money for the Inpatient Hospice facility that they are building. She got sick before she was able to get the craft show organized. This idea went on the back burner for awhile. Eileen got a call from one of her friends, Merrie Aust, who explained that she and Alison Stevens decided to organize the craft show.
They have been busy emailing and putting out flyers and the response has been terrific. The donations will go to the Reflection's Garden which is a place for the children to go. A plaque will be put in the garden with Eileen's name. Eileen was thrilled and honored that this was happening. She has even asked that they sell some of the baskets she made and the last tie chair.
If you are interested in donating to this wonderful cause please send your donation to
Hospice of Wake County
1300St Mary's Street 4th Floor
Raleigh, NC 27605
Attn: Merrie Aust
Please put Eileen McGuire on the check or on a note so that it will all goto the Reflection's garden.
If you have any questions please contact Bridget at 703-508-1102.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Fwd: update
Sent from my phone
Begin forwarded message:
From: bridget shields <bridgetshields@yahoo.com>
Date: October 13, 2008 10:14:51 AM PDT
To: kate.kimener@ngc.com, ckimener@cox.net, Trip O'Dell <tripodell@mac.com>
Subject: update
Reply-To: bridgetshields@yahoo.com
hi,
Eileen was tired this am. She said she didn't want to take more pain meds so I told her that it was her choice and that she didn't need to be a hero, If she needs them take them. I talked to Tammy and she said they offer them to her like they always have they aren't trying to push her take them.
She drank most of her coffee today.
I've got the paperwork signed for a handicap sticker so Trip if you and Andy want to take her out somewhere this weekend you can use it. I also think we should use it for mom. This weekend at Clifton was a mess. Kate and Carol we can work out the details.
I'm going to take a mini DVD player into Leen tomorrow. She wanted to see a couple movies and she is bored with the TV. If you visit and she says she wants to see something let me know and I'll pick it up and bring it out to her. I'm hoping this will block out some of Mary's antics.
well gotta run. If there is something else you can think of that I can do to help let me know.
Smile,
Bridget
Monday, October 6, 2008
No more visits please.
My Aunt Bridget called me this evening, mostly to catch up, but also to give me an update on Mom’s condition. Kate and Bridget have been amazing and have made this process so much better for Andy and I. Mom is in good hands, and I sleep better knowing that Kate will be there in the morning with Coffee, and Bridget in the evening before she goes to bed. Its a debt I doubt I’ll ever be able to repay, so I’ll chalk it up for the grace that it is.
Jaundice is definitely setting in and Mom is wiped out. She’s sleeping a lot more and is sometimes having difficulty staying awake. At this point, I’m asking for no more visits. If there are any questions please call me directly (408) 218-9329. The visits are really taking a toll and have begun to effect her quality of life.
I know this is a difficult thing for me to ask of all of you. Your love and support of Mom and the family have been overwhelming. Please know that your kind thoughts, visits and prayers have been appreciated beyond words, but I’m now requesting that people stay away and let her go home.
We’ll continue to keep the blog updated with news as it develops. Please keep the prayers coming. We’re going to need it in the coming weeks.
Trip
Jaundice is definitely setting in and Mom is wiped out. She’s sleeping a lot more and is sometimes having difficulty staying awake. At this point, I’m asking for no more visits. If there are any questions please call me directly (408) 218-9329. The visits are really taking a toll and have begun to effect her quality of life.
I know this is a difficult thing for me to ask of all of you. Your love and support of Mom and the family have been overwhelming. Please know that your kind thoughts, visits and prayers have been appreciated beyond words, but I’m now requesting that people stay away and let her go home.
We’ll continue to keep the blog updated with news as it develops. Please keep the prayers coming. We’re going to need it in the coming weeks.
Trip
Friday, October 3, 2008
Things are still slow.
Just got off the phone with Mom, her spirits have been really good the last couple of days. Andy is back in town and Ryan (Mike’s Youngest/Mom’s Stepson) is driving into town with his wife Barbie tonight to visit this weekend. Mom is looking forward to seeing them.
Mom’s brother Mike and wife Loraine were visiting when I called earlier. It sounded like a really nice visit, but mom was pretty tired afterward.
Andy tells me that mom is looking a little better. The swelling has reduced, and she feels better with her new haircut. He did mention that she looks darker/tanner, which I’m afraid isn’t from her long hours lounging in the sun, but is a result of Jaundice. Regardless, she’s feeling good and she’s comfortable, That’s the important part.
Mom tells me that (aside from a few exceptions) everyone has been sticking to the visiting guideline we set up. Thank you all for respecting these requests. Mom’s quality of life is directly linked to her sense of dignity and control. Coming to visit with her on her terms, is the best gift you can give her at this point. For those of you too far afield to visit easily, please know that I am reading your comments and emails to her on a regular basis. They mean a lot to her. The well wishes have been really great for all of us.
That’s a bout it for this episode. I was kidding Mom the other day that people will start thinking she’s playing possum if I don’t have anything dramatic to post. That made her laugh, which is good. We’ll take our laughs where we can get them these days. And as for drama... I’ll take boring for as long as I can get it.
Mom’s brother Mike and wife Loraine were visiting when I called earlier. It sounded like a really nice visit, but mom was pretty tired afterward.
Andy tells me that mom is looking a little better. The swelling has reduced, and she feels better with her new haircut. He did mention that she looks darker/tanner, which I’m afraid isn’t from her long hours lounging in the sun, but is a result of Jaundice. Regardless, she’s feeling good and she’s comfortable, That’s the important part.
Mom tells me that (aside from a few exceptions) everyone has been sticking to the visiting guideline we set up. Thank you all for respecting these requests. Mom’s quality of life is directly linked to her sense of dignity and control. Coming to visit with her on her terms, is the best gift you can give her at this point. For those of you too far afield to visit easily, please know that I am reading your comments and emails to her on a regular basis. They mean a lot to her. The well wishes have been really great for all of us.
That’s a bout it for this episode. I was kidding Mom the other day that people will start thinking she’s playing possum if I don’t have anything dramatic to post. That made her laugh, which is good. We’ll take our laughs where we can get them these days. And as for drama... I’ll take boring for as long as I can get it.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Things are leveling out
A pretty positive report yesterday from Kate and Bridget (mom’s sisters). Mom’s swelling has improved, likely the effect of some medication which helps Mom’s liver process the amonia in the blood. The reduction in swelling has made her a lot more comfortable.
Friends and family have really helped out by adhering to the visitation schedule of 6-8 on weekdays. Mom’s energy is better, and she can dedicate her days to resting (and catching up on Judge Judy). Mom was looking forward to getting her hair cut today. One of the amenities of the nursing home is an on-site beauty parlor – which is nice. Simple things like that give mom a sense of normalcy and control. When life is coming at you at 100 miles an hour, its difficult to overstate the value of simple pleasures.
Andy will be heading back down to Virginia this weekend to check in with Mom. Mom’s settling into the daily schedule at the home, and is beginning to feel more at home, which is great. I haven’t heard any complaints so far, so hopefully she’s content with where she is. I suppose this is now the new normal. The important thing is that mom is comfortable, and is using the lull in the action to rest up and prepare for what’s to come.
Friends and family have really helped out by adhering to the visitation schedule of 6-8 on weekdays. Mom’s energy is better, and she can dedicate her days to resting (and catching up on Judge Judy). Mom was looking forward to getting her hair cut today. One of the amenities of the nursing home is an on-site beauty parlor – which is nice. Simple things like that give mom a sense of normalcy and control. When life is coming at you at 100 miles an hour, its difficult to overstate the value of simple pleasures.
Andy will be heading back down to Virginia this weekend to check in with Mom. Mom’s settling into the daily schedule at the home, and is beginning to feel more at home, which is great. I haven’t heard any complaints so far, so hopefully she’s content with where she is. I suppose this is now the new normal. The important thing is that mom is comfortable, and is using the lull in the action to rest up and prepare for what’s to come.
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