Palliative Hospice?

[maslex]

Has anyone had any experience with this? Mom had a follow up appt today and told the doctor that she no longer wants to do chemo. After talking with my mom to make sure this is what she wants, he says he respects her decision and now she will do palliative hospice. I asked what the difference between that and regular hospice was and he said basically she can still receive treatments (which would be her Xgeva shots for her spine). And now what he can do right now is just make her comfortable.

I know this is something that I should have asked him while I was there but sometimes the brain doesn't function very well when you're trying to soak everything in. Anyhow, what should my mom expect while on "palliative hospice"?

 

[mrsv98]

Has anyone had any experience with this? Mom had a follow up appt today and told the doctor that she no longer wants to do chemo. After talking with my mom to make sure this is what she wants, he says he respects her decision and now she will do palliative hospice. I asked what the difference between that and regular hospice was and he said basically she can still receive treatments (which would be her Xgeva shots for her spine). And now what he can do right now is just make her comfortable.

I know this is something that I should have asked him while I was there but sometimes the brain doesn't function very well when you're trying to soak everything in. Anyhow, what should my mom expect while on "palliative hospice"?

My dear Gram is in palliative hospice in the assisted living place she is at. Basically it means they will take measures to keep her comfortable and in as little pain as possible. No more trips to the hospital, no more ivs in her poor hands. They also do massage and music therapy, brought her a special bed to eliminate bed sores and take care of her supplies.

When it is time, they will have someone with her 24/7. They are very kind are work in partnership with the assisted living home.

I am sorry you are going through this, it is tough. For our family we are comforted with the fact that Gram is 95 and ready to go home.

 

[Robinrs]

Has anyone had any experience with this? Mom had a follow up appt today and told the doctor that she no longer wants to do chemo. After talking with my mom to make sure this is what she wants, he says he respects her decision and now she will do palliative hospice. I asked what the difference between that and regular hospice was and he said basically she can still receive treatments (which would be her Xgeva shots for her spine). And now what he can do right now is just make her comfortable.

I know this is something that I should have asked him while I was there but sometimes the brain doesn't function very well when you're trying to soak everything in. Anyhow, what should my mom expect while on "palliative hospice"?

http://www.getpalliativecare.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/WhatYouShouldKnowHandoutRevised.pdf

 

[OKW Lover]

Just wanted to add for the OP's benefit that hospice is there for the family as well. They offer counseling and grief therapy for the family members as part of their service.

 

[yoopermom]

My DSIL is a doctor specializing in hospice and she always says that they are there for the care of patients AND their families . They will do all they can to keep the patient as comfortable as possible, and ease their suffering, but can also provide wonderful support for the family as well.

Terri

 

[maslex]

My dear Gram is in palliative hospice in the assisted living place she is at. Basically it means they will take measures to keep her comfortable and in as little pain as possible. No more trips to the hospital, no more ivs in her poor hands. They also do massage and music therapy, brought her a special bed to eliminate bed sores and take care of her supplies.

When it is time, they will have someone with her 24/7. They are very kind are work in partnership with the assisted living home.

I am sorry you are going through this, it is tough. For our family we are comforted with the fact that Gram is 95 and ready to go home.

I'm sure it'll be tough but I think this is where things need to be right now. As of right now she's in the nursing home. I've seen her go downhill over the past couple of months with the worst being the last couple of weeks while she was doing chemo. Usually when I bring her to the doctors, she wants to go out to eat and then to a store or two. Today, she just wanted to stop by the grocery store to pick up some fingernails clippers, mints and those little oranges. After that, she was ready to go back. This is SO not her. I hate to see her like this. I hate to see her in the pain she's in (cancer is on her spine). She's constantly tired, has no appetite....UGH.

I know she asked the doctor about a motorized wheelchair. So hopefully we can get one for her. She'll be able to move around much better with that. She can only walk a couple feet before she needs to sit and rest. She's in a regular wheelchair but it can get hard for her to move herself around, without being pushed. So we'll see.

Thanks for sharing your story on your gram. My mom is only 65 but she's in really bad health, even before the cancer hit this past October. We know that there's no cure for her and just want her comfortable for whatever time she has left whether it be a day or 10 years. And I just lost my dad a year and a half ago, so this is really hard knowing she might be gone soon.

http://www.getpalliativecare.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/WhatYouShouldKnowHandoutRevised.pdf

Thanks.

 

[Robinrs]

I'm sure it'll be tough but I think this is where things need to be right now. As of right now she's in the nursing home. I've seen her go downhill over the past couple of months with the worst being the last couple of weeks while she was doing chemo. Usually when I bring her to the doctors, she wants to go out to eat and then to a store or two. Today, she just wanted to stop by the grocery store to pick up some fingernails clippers, mints and those little oranges. After that, she was ready to go back. This is SO not her. I hate to see her like this. I hate to see her in the pain she's in (cancer is on her spine). She's constantly tired, has no appetite....UGH.

I know she asked the doctor about a motorized wheelchair. So hopefully we can get one for her. She'll be able to move around much better with that. She can only walk a couple feet before she needs to sit and rest. She's in a regular wheelchair but it can get hard for her to move herself around, without being pushed. So we'll see.

Thanks for sharing your story on your gram. My mom is only 65 but she's in really bad health, even before the cancer hit this past October. We know that there's no cure for her and just want her comfortable for whatever time she has left whether it be a day or 10 years. And I just lost my dad a year and a half ago, so this is really hard knowing she might be gone soon.



Thanks.

I'm so sorry.

I just went through this with my 66 yo aunt after going thru it 12 years ago with my Mom and 11 years ago with my dad.

I know how hard it is, but the hospice people are amazing. They took so many things off of our hands and our minds. I smile every time I think of them.

One more hug..

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am so sorry Maslex!

DH just recently lost his mother, after almost three very very difficult months.
Hospice was definitely a godsend. SO much better there than the hospital or the one nursing home that was available.

 

[rickybobby]

All my United Way contributions are directed to hospice because of the invaluable service they provide.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

OP, hugs to you and your mom.

Karen

 

[pigletgirl]

Prayers for your family!

 

[starann]

Hospice care is for patients with a terminal diagnosis who have opted for no more treatment for that diagnosis.

Palliative care if for patients who have opted for some treatment of a terminal diagnosis (for example a patients stops chemo but is still opting for blood transfusions or radiation to help with pain management, not for a cure).

Thoughts to you and your family.