3 ms·

Can anyone explain what it means to "thrive in hospice"? My impression is that the plan is 1) to discontinue "heroic measures" and 2) dope you up with opioids

by baking 8y ago

Can anyone explain what it means to "thrive in hospice"? My impression is that the plan is 1) to discontinue "heroic measures" and 2) dope you up with opioids "to make you comfortable" so much so that your body shuts down. I'm fine with the first, but I don't see how that qualifies as thriving. I'd like to hear if anyone's experiences are different.

ddingus 8y ago
I have two experiences to share: Mother in law had heart attack, ended up with low function. She had 10 good years, then the "evil zapper" as she called it, would trigger regularly. She hated it and directed that it be turned off. Two blissful weeks followed. Just knowing it was not going to happen again perked her right up. The last night, she got up late and I made her a great sandwich. She knew this was it. Went to sleep, and was lucid only one more time. She said thank you. The other was my Father in law. He was very old, fell and broke his arm. His body just could not cope. He ended up in hospice care, both of these at home, BTW. Neither wanted to be in some hospital room. He went through a very painful week of shutdown, but was mostly lucid. This was terrible. Medical cannibis was available in my state, and he requested a "stiff dose" because the opiates made him a mess. Experiencing some cannibis was on his bucket list and smoking it was out of the question. I looked up how to make a very potent drink, did it and we gave him a shot glass full of it. Frankly, the next 10 or so hours were amazing. He got up, out of bed (not supposed to be possible at this point), came out to see everyone, yell at the idiots on TV, and tell us all stuff he wanted to tell, along with old songs and jokes he wanted people, his grand kids to remember. We all asked (What the hell?), and he said I am stoned enough to forget I am dying. No more of that talk, gimme a beer. (We did) He was Irish, and to him this kind of thing was "going out right and proper" He passed a day or two later. After that fun night, he went to sleep, restful, seemingly way more comfortable. Was not lucid again. We did not have to use much of the death drug kit they sent us home with. I have only done home hospice. I think it has beauty and pain. I think it is a just and solid choice for one to make when they have family they trust completely. Both thrived. Was brief. No way would it have been the same in a sterile boring, unfamiliar room. Both contained meaningful end of life experiences. Both appear to have a worthy end. Worthy in that is was their terms more. That is all. Hope this helps. For what it is worth, I was moved. I will definitely go that way should my end be known and it being possible.

by baking 8y ago

ddingus 8y ago

I have two experiences to share: Mother in law had heart attack, ended up with low function. She had 10 good years, then the "evil zapper" as she called it, would trigger regularly. She hated it and directed that it be turned off. Two blissful weeks followed. Just knowing it was not going to happen again perked her right up. The last night, she got up late and I made her a great sandwich. She knew this was it. Went to sleep, and was lucid only one more time. She said thank you. The other was my Father in law. He was very old, fell and broke his arm. His body just could not cope. He ended up in hospice care, both of these at home, BTW. Neither wanted to be in some hospital room. He went through a very painful week of shutdown, but was mostly lucid. This was terrible. Medical cannibis was available in my state, and he requested a "stiff dose" because the opiates made him a mess. Experiencing some cannibis was on his bucket list and smoking it was out of the question. I looked up how to make a very potent drink, did it and we gave him a shot glass full of it. Frankly, the next 10 or so hours were amazing. He got up, out of bed (not supposed to be possible at this point), came out to see everyone, yell at the idiots on TV, and tell us all stuff he wanted to tell, along with old songs and jokes he wanted people, his grand kids to remember. We all asked (What the hell?), and he said I am stoned enough to forget I am dying. No more of that talk, gimme a beer. (We did) He was Irish, and to him this kind of thing was "going out right and proper" He passed a day or two later. After that fun night, he went to sleep, restful, seemingly way more comfortable. Was not lucid again. We did not have to use much of the death drug kit they sent us home with. I have only done home hospice. I think it has beauty and pain. I think it is a just and solid choice for one to make when they have family they trust completely. Both thrived. Was brief. No way would it have been the same in a sterile boring, unfamiliar room. Both contained meaningful end of life experiences. Both appear to have a worthy end. Worthy in that is was their terms more. That is all. Hope this helps. For what it is worth, I was moved. I will definitely go that way should my end be known and it being possible.