My grandmother was admitted to hospice yesterday. She's ornery and had a series of small strokes years ago, followed by a couple years of mismedication, so it was thought that she was merely getting more ornery and senile, but for reasons I'm not clear on they decided to get someone to review some test results taken about a month ago; it turns out she's got a cracked L4 vertebra, I think it is, and cerebrospinal fluid is leaking somewhere in her brain. She's in pain but lucid; seemed happy to be admitted and is ready for an end to living with all that pain.
Pre-diagnosis, they speculated she might have a month left to live. Knowing that she has actual medical problems and what they are, I'm not sure how it changes her prognosis; if she were younger, perhaps surgery could help, but they don't think she's strong enough to survive an operation on her back. No idea what palliative options may even exist for her brain thing.
Prayers are requested, for a happy death whenever it comes and comfort in the meantime. She gave up going to church a few years ago and agreed to see a priest when asked but didn't want confession because she still harbors a lot of anger.
On that note I would also ask for prayers for my grandfather and her relationship with him; I don't know what may have gone on between them but he is the target of much of her ire. He may be a curmudgeon, but he doesn't have much else in his life than her.
Pre-diagnosis, they speculated she might have a month left to live. Knowing that she has actual medical problems and what they are, I'm not sure how it changes her prognosis; if she were younger, perhaps surgery could help, but they don't think she's strong enough to survive an operation on her back. No idea what palliative options may even exist for her brain thing.
Prayers are requested, for a happy death whenever it comes and comfort in the meantime. She gave up going to church a few years ago and agreed to see a priest when asked but didn't want confession because she still harbors a lot of anger.
On that note I would also ask for prayers for my grandfather and her relationship with him; I don't know what may have gone on between them but he is the target of much of her ire. He may be a curmudgeon, but he doesn't have much else in his life than her.
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