since being put on Hospice

pattynonews
pattynonews Member Posts: 176
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
Since Jack was put on Hospice it seems like he is giving up, all he does is sleep, His oncologist has not def told him there are no other options just the hospital doctors, so he has been home for 2 days and maybe been up a total of 8 hours, I dont know what to do to get his fighting spirit back, Is this a process they go through, so do they snap back , the problem is all I do is sleep now, too, Im escaping into sleep, I need motivation, I have a project I need to do and Im really going to try and get started on it tomorrow, I getting just as depressed as Jack, I wish there was something I can do for Jack

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  • CherylMike
    CherylMike Member Posts: 118
    #2
    Pattynonews~ My husband
    Pattynonews~ My husband sleeps 24 hours a day. He only gets up to take medicine or drink shakes. (He has been battling head and neck cancer for 2 yrs. It metasized to his bones, liver, kidneys. . ) Since he is in so much pain, the doctor has put him on pain meds around the clock - thus, the sleeping. He is going to have a pain pump put in. (He has a high white blood cell count, so we are taking measures to deal with that now). The doctor feels that once he has the pain pump put in, he will be awake and alert - the dilaudide (sp) goes directly into the spine, thus not going throughout the body. I am trying to get him to take his morphine now, but he just gags and vomits. If he can not get it down within the hour, I am going to have to take him to the ER. (He will be in agony if he does not get pain meds). I cried and cried last night - today is better. My husband's family was over and really lifted my spirits. I completely understand the sleeping. It seems sometimes that is the only way to be at peace - until the nightmares come. I make myself get up for my kids. I force myself to shower, read the news online and make supper for the kids. Maybe if you made a short list of things you need/want to do and try to cross one a day off the list it would help. Take it one day, one hour at a time.
  • grandmafay
    grandmafay Member Posts: 1,633 Member
    #3
    So Sorry
    I am so sorry that you are both having such a rough time. We really do need to support each other. This is hard. We were blessed this weekend with friends visiting from out of state. Today will be what we call a down day with lots of sleeping. I may even take a nap later. It is so hard to hit that balance between pain meds and sleep. My husband has accepted that his fight is ending. In some ways, that is less stressful for both of us. That doesn't mean he isn't trying to buy a little more time with us, but it does mean fewer appointments, ups, and downs. Visiting with friends was really good for both of us, too. He has also accepted that it is best that we use the wheelchair. That allows him to conserve energy, and it was a big step for him. And Patty, you are doing something for Jack. In fact, you are doing everything you possibly can. Your love comes through in every one of your posts. Hang in there. Prayers and extra long hugs. Fay

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