How accurate is hospice? - Hospice Message Board

mammasmilk1 · 09-24-2005, 05:36 PM

How accurate is hospice? The hospice nurse was here on Friday and basically said that she thinks my mom will be confined to her bed by the first of November and she thinks that we will be lucky to have her until Thanksgiving. But my mom has been doing better this last week. We took her to the funeral home to make her plans (her idea not ours) and we took her to the mall to get her hair done (in a wheelcahir with oxygen in tow). However, she has started to sleep a lot and is still not eating much at all. I believe the hospice nurse probably knows better than anyone but I was just wondering what others have experienced with this situation.

Thank you for your responses in advance

Melissa

Molly&Mary · 09-24-2005, 06:22 PM

Hum.. its odd to me that she voiced her opinion like that. I can't get Hospice to give me an opinion. They just keep telling me that there is no sure way to know and that everyone is different. Maybe they know but isnt saying? My mom has small cell lung cancer. The doctors gave her less than a month about a month ago. She is still able to get up and go to the restroom. A little slow at it but stilll trucking along. All I keep hearing is that everyone is different and there is no way to really tell how a person will react to thier illness. Can you tell me more about your Mom's condition? I'm curious if she is in the same stages as mine.

Prayers for you,

Molly

mammasmilk1 · 09-25-2005, 07:38 AM

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. This a very hard thing to watch isn't it. My mom is stage IV nsclc. The doctor said she has it "peppered in her chest cavity" and in her spine between t-10 and t-11. They said she was not a candidate for chemo because it would kill her faster. She has lost about 40 pounds since August 2. But she is still up and about however, she has started sleeping a lot. She is on oxygen most of the time. Her throat will not let her eat it gets stuck she says. She has been less confused lately but has wanted to get all of her planning taken care of. So I am not sure about what hospice thinks with her time. I flat out asked them about her so maybe you can try the same and tell them not to sugar coat it. I guess they know, but I was just wondering and I guess hoping that others would have different experiences. I hope this helps. Thanks for your reply

Keep your chin up and I will pray for you and your family
Melissa

polbilly · 09-25-2005, 10:32 AM

when my grandfather died from this disease hospice whas there and i dont think that our family would have been able to get through it with out them. I think very highly of them. this disease is very quick and changes over night. i would say if your mom is feeling well right now and enjoying getting her hair done do everything you can to enjoy yourselfs and what you have. and the nurse isnt god she can give her opinion but nobody really knows the future so enjoy today just dont let your gaurd down to what can happen in the future.

tmarie · 09-26-2005, 05:58 PM

We started out with a hospice nurse that was obnoxious....she was way to hyper for the condition my dad was in. My dad was diagnosed last Oct 2004 with lung cancer and passed away in April 2005. The doc told us at the point we should have hospice come in....like I said, the first nurse did not work out and it just so happened that one day she was off and we had a fill in nurse. He was the best so I contact hospice and told them I wanted him as my dad's nurse. It just so happened he lived on the next street from my dad and my dad felt so comfortable with him. He was honest and told us my dad had about a few weeks left. He was right. They see this everyday and can tell the signs. The only thing I can tell you is to spend as much quality time you can with your mom. I was able to do that with my dad but not with my mom. My mom died unexpectantly. My mom was 57 and my dad was 60. My thoughts are with you