peg

Hi, Claire. I was trying to respond to what I believe Darrell was trying to get started here..

A forum asking questions about Hospice care being asked of someone experiencing that care right now. Maybe I mis-read his initial feed.

I don't need to just talk more about me..

What I am saying is that I am willing to answer questions of anyone out there about my Hospice experience as I go through it. I know Darrell recently had a friend who waited way too long to appreciate the true benefit Hospice can provide to both the patient and the family. It bothered him deeply that he couldn't convince his friend to get the help that was available to him.

To do that, someone would have to have questions. If there aren't any that is OK, too. But I am not going to write a forum about me for my own sake.

Just saying. Many people think Hospice is for only at the very end of your journey, and having the services Hospice provides has given me so much more life by helping me conserve energy and educating me and providing meds to help with this stage. I am not home bound nor am I bed bound. They have also helped my family understand what is happening and they are here to help them cope with the myriad of changes. If in doubt have them come out and do an evaluation. They are not pushy. They are very compassionate, understanding, helpful and discreet. My comfort and dignity are extremely important to them.

It is definitely true that the real gift is in the giving..not in the receiving.

Hugs,
Peg

It feels so strange to have a whole forum dedicated to my particular battle with this disease. We all have our various struggles and no two of us are alike.

I had not announced openly on the board that I have been under Hospice care at home since September. I have not even shared it with my PR group, but I cannot go there any longer. I was away for so long they were concerned about liability if I came back..so I cannot go back now. I miss my friends there.

If anyone wants to discuss that path (Hospice Care) I will try to answer any questions I can, but know..this is just my form of the disease. Yours, and your local Hospice
may be very different. I understand Hospice of Holland here is so wonderfully supported by our local community. I feel truly blessed to have their services available
to me.

As always, if sharing my experience will help anyone else in their journey I will be happy to talk about it.

Darrell, I don't know about a "Legacy of getting it right", but I am doing the best I can...one day at a time
I truly appreciate the love and support I feel surrounding me on my journey and I am thankful for each and every one of you.
Thank You!!
Hugs,

Peg

Have a Happy Birthday Ken.
Do something special just for you today.
You deserve it.

Peg

Neva, thanks for the advice. Can you read books on your computer? More and more I am hearing my friends talk about doing the internet, pictures, reading their books,doing facebook, etc all on their..is it I pad? I am not sure. Their emails are sent from their I pad..etc. Sounds so much simpler than what I have. I have been happy with laptop until this picture mess in my computer started over a year ago..and I don't have it fixed yet. Lots of other things to check out, but I want to go to something easier and I don't know if that is I pad or not.

Help, anyone.

I have temporarily stopped reading books. Not enough time or energy. I seem to have a lot of company, with all the Hospice people, volunteers, friends, family and neighbors and I just kicked in my Long Term Care Insurance, so that will bring more changes with getting more help and then I have been back at re-doing the title to my son's condo. So much b u s i n e s s, and b u s y n e s s. Combine that with shortness of energy and my days are exhausting.

It never ends. Always more to research and sort out

I love having friends and family come to visit..just wish I could be more productive the rest of the time.

I don't seem to have the mental space to write friendly emails back to all of you who continue to stay in touch. Your support and caring means so much..believe me. I do apologize for not responding in a more timely fashion. I will work on that so that you know how much I appreciate all of you. Thanks for being there and thanks for caring.

Have an easy breathing day,
Hugs,

Peg