A few weeks ago she started falling. Got a walker, wouldn't use it - "didn't need it". I kept telling her if she kept it up, she would fall, hit her head and that would be it. Last Thursday morning I checked on her around 3AM and she was OK. When next I checked at 6AM she was lying in a large pool of blood on the living room carpet. As near as I can tell she fell, tried to get up, and hit the back of her head on a piece of furniture causing a one inch gash while bled profusely. She didn't call for me and I didn't hear anything. She sat up and I asked her if she wanted me to 911. No. I was trying to figure out if I could handle the damage, and decided not. 911 and the ER straight to the operating room for X-ray, a cat-scan, and a couple staples. It was only a one inch cut but lost a lot of blood. They decided to keep her overnight for observation. One doctor said I could take her home. Bad advice. Spent five days in the hospital with me on 24 hour watch to keep her from getting out of bed, then to Hospice in-patient facility. She stopped eating and drinking while in the hospital and that was the beginning of the end. The hospital and Hospice people were excellent. She was calm and comfortable on her way out at 10PM Monday. I got one of those messages from above at 7PM to go see her and took the opportunity to do a review of our 50 year marriage. I think she heard me.
I had it in my head that I was going to take care of her at home until the end. After watching the hospital staff, and the Hospice crew, I decided there was no way I could have taken care of her at home.
I had it in my head that I was going to take care of her at home until the end. After watching the hospital staff, and the Hospice crew, I decided there was no way I could have taken care of her at home.
