Talking about home

Rumor is, Mom will be sent home August 10th.

The therapists, doctor and nursing staff are pleased with the results of occupational and physical therapy, but breathing is still a concern. Mom has breathing treatments when she struggles to catch her breath – they bring a mask and have her breath (like Darth Vader) in and out with slow deep breaths.

What will happen when Mom goes home?

We're wondering about that ourselves. "I can live with this," Mom has always told her oncologist, Dr. Grainger. And she has, taking each day one minute at a time - and receiving a lot of communion in the process.

Dr. Grainger has told us that Mom will qualify for anything and recommended Home Reach. Problem is, Home Reach treats the individual, not the disease. Mom wants to continue treating the disease so she can get better. Thus the struggle.

The family has been talking, looking for the best scenario for everyone. If you have any suggestions, please let us know! We're certain there are many care-giving solutions available, many that we likely don't even know about. Just post the suggestion in the comment field.

Mom will require an adjustable hospital bed, oxygen machine and regular nursing visits. Hospice would provide all of this and would really help the family with answering questions. It would also provide 24-hour nursing, if needed -- a good solution for reducing anxiety.