Hospice

Once our local oncologist contacted hospice at our request, things started happening quickly. From my experience in the past as a hospice volunteer, I know many patients/families wait until almost the last hours to contact hospice, so I think they are used to responding quickly. We are an exception in that Dr. M advised us to meet and talk with hospice right away.

I think Dr. M wanted us to feel supported by a team who will be beside us. Ever since Doug's diagnosis in 2008, we have had strong support. First by Dr. M the Denver myeloma specialist who initiated Doug's first treatment followed by the stem cell transplant and many courses of chemo over the years. We would go to Denver once a month for years. We always felt we were in good hands by people who care. When Doug started getting frequent infusions in 2018, Dr. M referred Doug to HRRMC oncology in nearby Salida - only 30 minutes from home. Dr. M was still very much involved but the hands-on care was HRRMC oncologists, PAs and nurses. We got to know these people as our 'new team'.
Both Doug and I are really missing the weekly (or twice a week) contact with the nurses in the infusion clinic. Other than the actual infusions, Doug looked forward to seeing and laughing with the nurses. They really spoiled him with attention, and I felt so welcome too. They had an answer to every problem. A couple of the nurses have emailed us just to say hi; that means a lot.

When Doug went off treatment, we didn't have a team on our side anymore. I think that's why Dr. M encouraged us to get to know the hospice team right away.

On 6-24-20, the hospice nurse called and came over to meet us. Hospice is very much for the family as well as the patient. We liked her as soon as we met her. She has a good sense of humor (absolutely needed for this work in my opinion) and loves dogs. She also wanted to meet them! Alexis is her name and she will be Doug's regular nurse. She already knew Doug's medical history but wanted to hear it from him. After talking for a while, she excused herself to make a phone call. When she came back, she said she had called her supervisor - and that if Doug wanted to be admitted she could do it right away. She said Doug's diagnosis was "the golden ticket" to hospice. That made Doug laugh since she said it in a funny way. Guess you had to be there.
We thought about it and there doesn't seem any downside, so Doug said yes, go ahead with the paperwork. Even though Doug doesn't need hospice services now, we have a new support team again, and it's a comfort. Alexis said she will stop by every two weeks just to see if we need anything. She gave us a phone number to call if we need anything or have questions. We have Alexis' number and the office number which is answered 24/7.
 Doug's meds will now be paid for by hospice; they even arrange for the drugs to be delivered to our door.

We are going through a range of emotions, as it all seems surreal for now. Doug looks the same (cute of course) and he has no pain. He is on a new antidepressant now. I think we are both coping fairly well under the circumstances. I do feel kind of scatterbrained and sad sometimes. There is no "normal" now.

I plan to keep this blog going as long as I can and hope it can help someone else.
 Our faith in God is our anchor.

Love to all.

 Verse of the day:
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13