I don't usually post personal issues here, but I thought it would be good (perhaps for me) to post about the last days of my mother, Mary. She has been living with us since October 1998 and will be 96 on October 1, 2006 (10/1/10 as she is fond of saying). She has congestive heart failure and is now in hospice care via the Vermont Visiting Nurse Association (VNA).
She was in hospice care for 3 months June-August 2006 and then moved to palliative care because she had 'plateaued' at a reasonably stable condition. Now her condition has deteriorated with shortness of breath more pronounced with difficulty moving very far because it causes shortness of breath.
We have decided to keep her at home with us for as long as possible, but when an opening is available at Vermont Respite House in Williston, about 12 miles from us, we will move her there. Carol and I visited there in July and were favorably impressed with the staff and the facility.
Today we went for a long walk in the sunny, crisp fall air. It was a beautiful day and I pushed Mary in her wheelchair around the block for about a mile on nice level ground embraced by a mixture of shade and sun with a nice breeze.
She had a nice supper and PJ was here having brought a homemade quiche and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Mary also received a bouquet from Dick, (her nephew) and Joyce. Winnie and Edie sent a birthday card, too.
Yesterday, we brought in a hospital bed, but she seems to do better sleeping in the very comfortable reclining chair.
Last night her grandsons and family came to celebrate her birthday with pizza and a birthday cake.
All in all, Mary had a reasonably good day.
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