hospice

Mom has officially been in hospice for over a week now. She got pneumonia (which can be very deadly with emphysema) a couple of weeks ago (that's why she was listed in the intercessions, Emilie) but has apparetnly pulled through okay. The doctors tell me she has multi-systemic organ failure, all related to the emphysema of course, but this includes not only her lungs (pulmonary hypertension)but right-sided heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and her kidneys are starting to shut down a bit.

Now that she's in hospice she's a lot more comfortable because of the new medications they've added. So that is a huge comfort, anyway. I'm so grateful that she's able to still enjoy life. And most of our family has really rallied around her, too.

But I've been having panic attacks and constant nightmares, despite the wonderful support I've been receiving from some people. I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow, so hopefully she'll have some ideas.

Please keep all of us in your prayers.

And Liz, I'm wearing my prayer shawl at this very moment!

There is also the possibility that what they saw on her chest x-ray wasn't pneumonia at all, but a malignancy. it doesn't really matter, because the emphysema would likely kill her before the cancer did.