Not good news

I neglected to include in the earlier post that in addition to the sigmoid volvulus, Mom has a bowel obstruction. That's what contributed to the excruciating pain and vomiting on Thursday. Given Mom's greatly weakened health, medical history, and age, the gastroenterologist felt she was an extremely poor surgical risk and would likely not survive surgery to remove the blockage and volvulus and recommended against it. Other physicans concurred. We -- Mom, Byron, Dave, and me -- sadly agreed that she has been through enough, and reluctantly have accepted that this will be the cause of her demise.

Mom is now an inpatient with Beaumont Hospital's Hospice, where she is receiving intensive palliative care. Her attending physician feels it is highly unlikely that she would reach the two week maximum stay for that unit.She is being kept comfortable with regular administrations of dilaudid, so is drowsy much of the time but manages to rally when she has visitors and as we have learned, hears everything!

As we face this passage, we are heartened by the support we are receiving from family and friends. We appreciate you keeping Mom and us in your hearts and prayers, and hope that you find comfort, as we do, that she is at peace..