Evelyn,

Is Ida in hospice care at the nursing home?  If she isn't, you may want
to look at what the options are there.  Having the hospice designation
can open up options for the nursing home as far as staffing (hospice can
pay for someone to more closely monitor her pain meds and overall
condition) and for you and your husband as her family.  The options it
opened up for my FIL when Doris was placed in hospice have helped with
things like making sure that she has an appropriately fitting geri
chair, rather than lying in bed all day (while we want the end to come,
we don't want her to die from a raging infection from bed sores or
something).

Beth

Update on Ida  
Group: alt.support.alzheimers Date: Thu, Mar 17, 2005, 3:47pm (CST+6)
From: mama-lionsox@hvc.rr.com (Evelyn Ruut)
Hi all,
I thought it might be time to mention a bit about Ida for those who have
been following our story.   Strangely enough they stopped the pain
meds they started a while ago, because she hasn't been in pain,
fortunately.

Ronny:
That is good to hear! :-)

Evelyn:
But she is beginning to turn a bit yellow again, and her abdomen is a
bit swollen.   It is what it is, after all... (pancreatic cancer).  
There isn't anything more that could be done in the way of intervention,
and the stent they put in the bile duct has given her another 6 months
she wouldn't have had otherwise.   It could be sooner and it could be
later, but it is not in our hands, or possible to change.
The doctor checks her daily, and they are monitoring everything closely.
It has been a blessing that there has been so little pain. For a while
there was, but then it seems to have stopped again.   If she needs
pain meds again, they are ready to give them.
She falls every now and again, and they call us right away to tell us if
we aren't there. We have been so fortunate in this nursing home, as
everyone has been just wonderful there.   You all probably remember
how we hung on so long dreading to place her, but it has been just fine
and the care level is excellent.
We are OK with it all and at peace.   Ida has had a wonderful and long
life full of many adventures. She may be finally going "home" sometime
soon.   I pray that it will be a gentle journey.

So may it be. Sometimes, life hands us small mercies in the midst of
tragedy.

Adelle

Evelyn--There is probably a great story to Ida's life,,of which you have
shared bits & piece with us....The cows & the babies come to mind.. I
love that she thought well of herself & dressed well.  Your late
admiration and eventual fondness says much about your good heart.
I'll pray for her.to the God of my choice.. OK?  :-)

Florence

She may be finally going "home" sometime soon.   I pray that it will
be a gentle journey.

Oh Evelyn,what beautiful words you have spoken here.Brings tears to my
eyes.Barb