Search Results for: blog the pros and cons of hospice care

The Animals Grandma Dorothy Introduced Me To

The last few days I’ve been thinking about my mom a lot. I think it’s because of all that I’ve gone through with Murphy lately. I remember how Murphy was always on my mom’s mind. She thought the world of him. Now with him in his cast and his cone head, I can’t help but think of how she’d react if she was here to see him. She’d be so upset he was going through all this, but she’d also love on him and cater to his every need. I guess in some respects she’d return the therapy he gave … Continue reading →

Baby Boomers and Retirement

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I was reading an article in the paper the other day that got me thinking… yikes… our largest generation is going to be retiring soon. What does this mean and how will it influence all of us? To be honest, I am not sure – but it left me with some questions and thoughts. I would love to hear any ideas you all come up with too! Just leave them in the comment box below. Baby boomers will need to start using their retirement money. This means large amounts of stocks will be sold. Thus, the process will move money … Continue reading →

The Pros and Cons of Hospice Care

Recent articles in the New England Journal of Medicine report that Americans are not taking advantage of high quality hospice care at the end of life. One author from Harvard Medical School points out that only a third of Americans are under hospice care when they pass away. High quality hospice care is intended to help a terminally ill person deal with pain and live the best life possible in their final days. Emotional support is just as important as medical support during this time. A recent survey found that almost all families who had experienced hospice care would strongly … Continue reading →

The Controversy of Medical Marijuana

The use of medical cannabis (marijuana) has long been a sensitive subject. Research has shown that the use of marijuana can help relieve the suffering of terminally ill patients. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved medical marijuana for use. Seems pretty cut and dry, right? Not so much. Since 1996, fourteen states – Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington – have approved the use of medical marijuana for patients who have a prescription for it. Okay, so now the patients with prescriptions in those … Continue reading →

Wedding Dresses: Buyer Beware

Several months ago one of the local news stations here in Nashville ran a story about a bride-to-be who couldn’t return her wedding dress when her fiance died before their wedding day. (I think this was back around the time my mom got diagnosed with a month to live and went into the hospice. Which is why I didn’t write about it sooner. I’m just now working my way down the list of ideas I had back then.) I don’t remember exactly how her fiance died. (I want to say car accident, but that might not be right.) How he … Continue reading →

Recession Benefitting Your Marriage: Quality Together Time

The other day I got to thinking about an article I wrote earlier this year where I wondered if recession might actually benefit our marriages. I had visions of turning the concept into a mini-series. Alas, so far I only offered suggestions on ways to recession-proof your marriage with dinner. But recently I was reminded about this forsaken series of articles I’d planned to write. Thanks to our trip to Alaska, we’ve been trying to conserve resources. Therefore, more and more I’ve been considering ways Wayne and I could spend quality time together, be active and have fun, yet not … Continue reading →

Tabby’s Special Powers

Right after my mom died my heart hurt, but not to the extent it’s been hurting the last few weeks. I think I was sort of numb the first several days following her passing. I was exhausted, both mentally and physically, and to be honest, a little relieved. Knowing something’s going to happen, but not knowing exactly when, then to see my mom tormented in the manner she was…I was just thankful she no longer had to go through any of that. That none of us did. But now the tears everyone said would spontaneously start to flow for seemingly … Continue reading →

Test Your Relationship Memory

Do you ever get asked questions by others about your relationship? Wayne and I do. People are always either curious, impressed, or appalled that we’ve been together for as long as we have and since such a young age. Mostly it’s younger couples wanting to know how (and sometimes why) we’ve stayed together. (By “younger” I don’t necessarily mean younger than us in age so much as in their years together.) However, sometimes even older couples with a couple of decade’s worth of anniversaries on us pose us questions. When I was running my mom to various appointments, or spending … Continue reading →

When Death Does You Part, Then What?

Have you and your spouse discussed your wishes for when death does you part? Wayne and I have. Sadly, extensively. I Coffin Shopped Till I Dropped (Literally) It all started when Wayne’s dad died. I went with him, his brother, and aunt to pick out a coffin. I freaked out. I had to leave the room full of caskets because I got so upset about the thought of being buried I nearly passed out. Cremation vs. Burial Later I told Wayne, “Whatever you do, don’t bury me. I don’t want to be put in a box.” “But I want you … Continue reading →

Expressions: “Whoever Heard Of…?”

When my mom was still here, before she went to the hospice, we often found ourselves repeating a certain expression: “Whoever heard of…” followed by some observation about the behavior of the animals. Once I noticed we repeated this expression, I began compiling a list of them. Below are a few of my “Whoever heard of…” favorites: “…a cat taking a bath?” Mr. Meow’s our water lover. One morning as I was running the water for my mom’s bath, Mr. Meow went in to play in her tub. That’s when my mom laughed, shook her head, and said, “Whoever heard … Continue reading →