Postby Val*pal » Fri Aug 29, 2014 1:18 pm
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. My thoughts are with you.
As far as being a better care-giver, don't dwell on that. Most of us are neophytes when it comes to the dying process, so we do the best we can. It's human nature to try to get people to eat or drink, so it makes sense that we caregivers tend to focus on that. I had a little more awareness of not forcing feeding with my husband since, when my mom died in 2002, I realized then that her inability to eat was not her being difficult, it was simply the way dying people are. But I had learned that lesson earlier.
Hospice is a tremendous help, and I'm glad your mom was able to take advantage of it.
I wish you strength in the coming days.
DH dx'ed May '11, age 62
Jul '11: resection Stage IV
10/11: 6 mo Folfox
8/12:thyr canc, surg/tx
2/13: peri mets
2/13: Firi/Avas
6/13: Ok
8/13: break
10/13: Lung, peri, mets
10/13: Firi/Erb
1/14: Erb Fail; spread
5/14: Tx stopped
6/20/14: At rest