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gerbil runner

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  1. Hi, all. I read often but post seldom. Had to chime in on this one. Some hospice organizations can provide help with bathing, coordinating medications, cna monitoring and the like BEFORE the patient is actually on a hospice program. The program was called "home palliative care" in our case, and did not depend upon any "expected" life span. The patient can also still seek aggressive treatment. If your insurance will cover such care, find a hospice that offers it! Also, a few hospices have their own inpatient facilities. Unless you have lots of reliable help from family and friends, find one. It's awful for a hospice patient to have to spend the last days in a hospital or nursing home which does not have a specific hospice program. Inpatient hospice should have no visiting hour restrictions, provide a more home-like setting for family members, and cater to the patient as much as possible. My great-aunt just passed away in a nursing home because my uncle couldn't care for her when she could no longer walk. The constant shifting back and forth for visiting, the confusion over who was in charge, the pressure on my poor aunt to eat when she clearly no longer could...a better facility would have made it so much easier. Not everyone will be able to find a hospice with these services, but look for them if you can.
  2. What an amazing, touching tribute. Hope you're doing ok. I know this is a difficult time.
  3. My mom was buried in December, when it's impossible to place a monument. The few times I've been to the cemetery, it seems so desolate (though the cememtery itself is beautiful). My grandparents are buried in another cemetery, and when I last visited there, it was sad to see how neglected the old planter was. Since my mom had gotten sick, family cared for her rather than the gravesite, as it should be. My great-aunt and uncle lost their daughter to breast cancer 15 years ago. Against their wishes, she was buried far away from their home. Nobody in the family now lives near where she was buried. All of these circumstances have made me think about how sometimes we feel the need to contribute in a concrete way to a memorial for our loved ones. I have decided for my mom and my grandparents to purchase heavy planters (following the cemetery guidelines) and plan to add stones. Carved stones have become popular. They can be small and inscribed with a single word, or large with as much information as a traditional monument. Stones can also be painted by anyone. They do not die of like plants, and can be personalized by anyone. A planter at the cememtery, or even a flowerpot in our house, can become a place to deposit these stones, as well as the plants and flowers we normally think of. http://www.rockitcreations.com/index.html This site offers personalized carved stones. http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_design_rock ... 61,00.html This site details how to paint stone. Hope these ideas may be helpful to someone.
  4. What fantastic news! I'm really realy happy for you and your family. Perseverence has paid off! Hope this "new normal" continues for many years to come.
  5. Oh, Eppie, I'm so very sorry. I didn't expect this news. Be gentle with yourself, and prayers going out for you and your family at this most difficult time.
  6. I'm so sorry, Donna. Take comfort that you were there for him as he passed from this life. Prayers for the strength you need at this time.
  7. Thanks so much. I'd dearly love to have another cat, but I'm afraid of a repeat accident. Dillon is over 50 lbs., and VERY athletic. He's gentle with my kids, but when he plays with other dogs he's very boisterous. His doggy pals are all bigger than he is, so it's not a problem. And he's actually submissive to other dogs. Dillon is stil looking for Ollie, but we'll be ok. I just miss my big soft kitty.
  8. Eppie, I hope your dad gets some relief soon, and you all get some answers. Cindyoh has actual experience, and is here to tell about it so I wouldn't panic yet.
  9. You really should see a dr. The blood could just be from throat irritation, or it could be something else. Smoking is NOT the only cause of lung cancer! So even though your smoking history probably wouldn't cause cancer at this point, there are no guarantees. Try not to panic, but see a dr. somehow. And congrats on quitting the smoking - best for your long-term health in any case. Your parent have your best interests at heart and will survive your telling them.
  10. My mother was actually dying before the gamma knife was done. It was just too late - there was probably too much other microscopic activity going on in her brain. She was almost bedridden when it was done, so the day was just too long for her. The person best able to determine whether it would help your mom would be the oncologist who performs the gamma knife. Results depend upon size and location of the tumor. Perhaps your mom's scans could be sent to Calgary to see if they think your mom might be helped. If her onc. has only had one patient treated with gamma knife, I'd look for a more informed opinion.
  11. I always threaten to spring-load the toilet seat . Thanks for the giggle - I really needed it today.
  12. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers going out for you and your family.
  13. My deepest sympathy to your family. Knowing what's coming doesn't make it easier. It only takes away some of the shock.
  14. On Saturday I lost my dear sweet cat Oliver. He squeezed out of a partially open screen door, and my dog spotted him. He ran over to play (Ollie would usually run, but was cornered), and jumped on him. I think Ollie died instantly - there was no blood, no bite marks, nothing. I'm devastated. Ollie was the best kitty - a total lap cat who loved everybody. His fur was so thick and soft. His favorite spot was riding on my shoulders . Dillon had no clue what happened. He's still looking for Ollie. I know some of you will worry Dillon will hurt a person, but it's totally not in his nature. We got him from a rescue who temperament-tests all their dogs. As an example, he has a phobia about getting his nails cut. It's so bad that he gets worried when we cut our own nails. I had the vet try to cut them with no luck. He never growled, never tried to bite, just thrashed like mad - and evacuated his anal glands . I didn't even know animals could do that. EEWWW! I've managed to forgive Dillon, but it really hurts to know Ollie is gone. I miss him sleeping on my bed. My kids miss him hanging out in their rooms. I miss him riding on my shoulders when I make the bed. Ollie died exactly 3 months after my mom .
  15. Cute pics! Some kitties hunt, some won't. I had one, Kelly-cat, who pulled open a gerbil cage and ate the occupant (we only found the hindquarters and tail in the cage ). He voraciously hunted mice in the house 'til the day he died of kidney failure . He also used to EAT them whole . Keep in mind I free-fed my cats, so he did it because he loved the taste of mouse. Eeww.
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