Hi Everyone,
I am new to posting a thread but have been reading the stories on this web site for quite awhile. My mother was diagnosed with ALS in October of 2006. She is in her last stages now. She is totally dependent on others and can not speak well at all. She is on Hospice and also has 24 hour care through an independent agency in her home. I thank God for those ladies that take care of her because it would be very hard for me. I would do it if I had to but I have a husband with 2 young children and a full time job as a school counselor.
Anyway, the hospice nurse told me yesterday that she hears some rattling in my mom's chest and thinks that she has some aspiration pnemonia. She said usually in a healthy adult it will clear up in a couple of days but it could turn into Bacterial Pnemonia which I know is what usually gets these patients in the end. I am scared that this is the beginning of the end for her. It doesn't matter how long you try to prepare for this when it is knocking at the door you are just not quite ready to answer. She is on a feeding tube but does not want the ventalator. I worry a little about her death experience. I know that Hospice can control her pain but I do not want her to be scared at all. Have any of you experienced a death of a loved one first hand and would like to share it? I never have and it scares me a little for myself and for her.
Jdale949
I am new to posting a thread but have been reading the stories on this web site for quite awhile. My mother was diagnosed with ALS in October of 2006. She is in her last stages now. She is totally dependent on others and can not speak well at all. She is on Hospice and also has 24 hour care through an independent agency in her home. I thank God for those ladies that take care of her because it would be very hard for me. I would do it if I had to but I have a husband with 2 young children and a full time job as a school counselor.
Anyway, the hospice nurse told me yesterday that she hears some rattling in my mom's chest and thinks that she has some aspiration pnemonia. She said usually in a healthy adult it will clear up in a couple of days but it could turn into Bacterial Pnemonia which I know is what usually gets these patients in the end. I am scared that this is the beginning of the end for her. It doesn't matter how long you try to prepare for this when it is knocking at the door you are just not quite ready to answer. She is on a feeding tube but does not want the ventalator. I worry a little about her death experience. I know that Hospice can control her pain but I do not want her to be scared at all. Have any of you experienced a death of a loved one first hand and would like to share it? I never have and it scares me a little for myself and for her.
Jdale949