Friday, October 25, 2024

Oxygen Required

 

Do we take air for granted?

 

Our daughter is on oxygen now.

I knew this day would come, but now that it is here, I feel shocked. Sad. Helpless.

Hospice now gives her morphine. She isn’t in pain, but this drug helps the patient with breathing. The nurse tells me morphine brings relief to the person who struggles with air.

Our little one grows smaller each day. Her rib cage is prominent. How long will this stage last?  Only God knows.

I know where she is going, but I don’t know when.




Soon, she will breathe heaven't perfect, fresh air.

I tell her it is okay to go on to heaven and see Jesus, angels, her husband, and her granny.

She frowns when I say this. She isn’t ready to leave us yet.

Her dad and I have almost everything planned, and we try to prepare ourselves. This is not an easy thing to do.

Here are a few suggestions for caregivers when you reach this stage.


1.    Tell the patient it is okay to leave. Some patients are waiting for you to say that.

2. T ell them you love them, and you will see them again.

3.    Talk with professionals about what to do next.

4.    Make preliminary arrangements.

5.    Gather pictures for a slide presentation at the celebration of life ceremony

6.    Write the obituary.

7.    Does the person have a favorite song? Scripture? Include it in your program.

8.    Cry as much as you need to.


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