 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Christy,
Never lose your hope. Our ability to find even the glimmer of hope in the worst of situations is what allows us to enjoy the moment. Encourage your grandmother to think of some really fun things she may want to do especially with you. Even if it is just to watch her favorite movie at home, enjoy the moment with her. I remember when my grandfather was terminally ill with lung cancer and in the hospital shortly before he passed away. He was a big, mean, burly policeman for almost all of his life. I asked him if there was anything I could do for him since I lived about 2 1/2 hours away and only visited him on weekends. His eyes lit up and he asked me to sneak him in a hamburger since he couldn't stand the hospital. I never remembered my grandfather even eating a hamburger and I couldn't believe Mr Law and Order was asking me to break a rule for him. I hid it in my jacket and when he ate the first bite, he gave me a toothless grin and just said AHHHHHHH. He took two more bites and threw it away and said it was just what the doctor forgot to order!
Make the memories!
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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