Two more updates

Hi to all,

After talking with Margaret, Tish and Liti, and then reading Tish's updates...I called the Forum and spoke with Nancy (Director of Papa's facility) and Sandy (Director of Mama's facility). Here is the info.

Nancy said that she has noticed a substantial decline in Papa's health. She requested Dr. Harris to see Papa tomorrow because she wanted him to see how much Papa had declined in a week. She was hesitant to come out and say this...but I asked her point blank...Do you feel Papa is getting very close to death...and she said yes she did feel that. But of course she added that they can never be sure. I have not heard this from hospice...after my visit tomorrow and after hearing what Dr. Harris has to say, I will follow up with a phone call to hospice to get their input. I am taking Lita tomorrow and we will spend most of the morning with Papa and then we will spend the afternoon with Mama. I will find out Dr. Harris' opinion after he sees Papa tomorrow afternoon and will keep everyone posted.

Then I asked Sandy about Mama. I wanted to know her opinion of Mama's overall condition. I asked also what her thoughts were about us getting a hospice evaluation. She said she thought it was an excellent idea...that Mama has lost a substantial amount of weight (she did not say how much)...and that she may qualify on that fact alone. Regarding Mama and eating...I asked her is her lack of eating, lack of ability or a lack of desire? Sandy said they had a speech pathologist do an evaluation on Mama and the opinion was that Mama had not lost the ability to swallow...so this seems to be a lack of desire to eat. She then had a dietary consult...and they are recommending some changes in diet and especially supplements like Ensure. Sandy will discuss all of this with Dr. Harris tomorrow, as well as request the hospice evaluation. Mama will see him in the afternoon.

Sandy also told me that Mama does come out of her room to eat most of the time. That she almost always will eat cereal for breakfast...and then lunch and dinner not so much. She likes fruit and will eat that. She said Mama usually sits in the main room for a period of time after breakfast, but usually will not participate in any activities. She tends to spend the afternoons and evenings in her room, except mealtime.

I think that is all for now...Still waiting for some happy news from John and Amber.

Love,

Kate