Out to the movies.

Mom said she wouldn't mind seeing the new movie "The Lucky One". So here we are, a day out to the movies.
UPDATE:
We finished the movie. Mom had to get the tissues out. There were some sad parts. Good movie though. Mom said she really liked it. She needed to get out and have some fun after a really busy and emotional week. It was nice to feel normal. As close to normal as possible anyway.

Talk about Hospice

Its been another busy few weeks. The home nurse made her usual Tuesday visit. She noticed Mom's continuing decline, with the gait, poor speech and swallowing issues. She took Mom's vitals and all was normal save for a slight elevation in her heart rate. The nurse discussed with us that Medicare had finally decided it was time to discharge Mom. We've been though this a few times now and I was actually surprised the home care lasted as long as it did this time. So May 16 is the discharge date. I called a few places to inquire about some paid help to continue to have someone help Mom bath.

This morning as the health aid was leaving, I received a phone call from her neurologist. She stated that the home nurse has been reporting mom's condition, and that in light of her recent decline, she though it was time to have Hospice come out for an evaluation. This hit me like a Mac truck, even though its been in the back of my mind for weeks, and I've been trying to prepare myself for this very conversation. I said "I thought they only come out when there is only approximately 3 months left."  She answered " It's 6 months of estimated time left, and I think we might be there." Mac truck number 2 rolled though, and I had a good cry, the first I've had in a while. So now I am waiting on a phone call from Hospice to set up a meeting. I talked to my wife for a bit, and enjoyed her comforting eyes. I told her I needed to call the family. I called my Cousin to tell her the news, and ask for some support. I just don't think I can tell Mom about the meeting alone. She was very comforting and agreed she would be there will me. I guess you can never really prepare yourself to begin the process of saying good bye to a loved one even when you know its coming. At least we can let her know how much she is loved and make her as comfortable as possible.

Further Progression

Every positive moment seem to be followed by a negative. Mom has taken quite a jump with her symptoms in the last few weeks. At least from my point of view, it seams like a large jump. Her gait is a lot worse. This morning she got up early, and didn't page me like usual, and didn't take the pager pendant with her either. I went in to wake her and found her on the floor in front of the toilet. She said she had been there for a while but couldn't yell for help. Thankfully she was unhurt, save for a bruised elbow. Lucky again. I again lectured her about letting me know when she needs to get up. I'm pretty sure it went in one ear and out the other. She is definitely showing some personality changes. This situation ties in with another worsened condition. Her speech and swallowing are much worse. I can barely make out anything she says, and more times than not she just gives up after I extinguish my guesses. She gets so frustrated. I do too. She has also been choking on everything, but especially the liquids. As if that's not enough her vision has gotten a lot worse too. She mostly just stares at the ceiling and listens to the TV or her kindle. She has been getting confused more often too. I fear its more than I know due to the lack of communication. I know we have a rough road ahead, and the inability to communicate with mom is really weighing heavy on my heart. I wish we could find a way around it, but the other symptoms all block any alternatives.