Hi All,
It looks like Laurence will be coming home next Monday. He has been in for 5 weeks. He is now established on his PEG feeds, although he can still eat some food by mouth. We haven't got a full care package in place, there are gaps, but are hoping that the agency we are using will fill them once their recruitment and checks are over.
Laurence's breathing leveled out a bit too. We were able to make a few trips outside (coffee shop, park yesterday with Stan etc.) and he has coped ok. He has been given a more portable vent/bipap, with an external battery, so hopefully we can continue to do family things once he is out. Hospice also started to sort out 3 different skin complaints, with good success.
Overall, hospice staff have been kind and helpful. But they truly are dealing with death and dying, rather than simply pain management. I have seen 7 people die since he has been in. People I used to stop and have chats with. They were mostly cancer patients, who are given morphine (pain relief), who then sleep a lot, gradually change colour from pink to white to grey to this particular green, before passing away. I found this quite upsetting, especially as I am frequently visiting with a young child.
Laurence had some ups and downs, but he is very pleased to be coming home. I am grateful for all the help they provided. I am hoping spring is here soon - it has been one long and tough winter.
Dani