An old family photo. My dad is standing in the back on the right. After he passes, I am the only person in this photo who is still alive as his brother, parents and my mom have passed on before.
When he began to be hospitalized about 6 weeks ago, I began a struggle with doctors, the nursing home, and other powers that be to help me find a new routine for him going forward where we would offer comfort but would acknowledge the fact that his heart condition and other problems were too advanced to actually "treat" anymore. Last week, the plans were finalized to bring him back home. And the new goal is comfort all the way.
I've been working closely with our local hospice. We set up the front room here as a bedroom with hospital furniture and on Friday morning, we brought Dad home. One of my sisters is a registered nurse. She came into town on Thursday night so that together, and using any resources and help we could get, we began to care for him here in his home.
It's been a bit shocking how quickly he has relaxed into his final decline. So we are into the final period of his time here and it's been both very sad, and very gratifying that his children are here or have been coming through; friends are stopping by to visit; and he's receiving 24 hour care with plenty of TLC. He seems to know that he is back home and so can begin the process of his final "letting go."
So everything else on my "to do" list except for the final plans for his funeral and memorial are on hold. And I'm not really working on any of my "normal" work right now....I felt compelled to post this update for my friends and readers here and so that I would have this explained in one place that I can direct my Etsy and ArtFire friends and customers to for as long as needed.
I expect to post an update when he passes on and can write a little bit more than. Thank you friends for listening and more later, Karen
