Hospice Towanda

I am waiting for my mom at a nail salon in Mountaintop, Pa. where two of her grandchildren reside. Two months ago, I would have never thought my mom and I would be enjoying a beautiful fall day in Mountaintop two hours away from our home in Sayre. My mom is 96 years young and was recently hospitalized with Congestive Heart Failure. She was retaining so much fluid that her breathing was affected, her clothes/shoes did not fit, she struggled to get in/out of bed ... life was difficult. The doctors and nurses in the hospital did their best to treat mom but her heart just could not keep up with the demands of her body. There were options such as surgery, but mom had some time ago decided she would leave the journey home up to God.

Before discharge from the hospital, I had so many concerns and questions. How would we manage at home? With possible restrictions regarding trying to manage her fluid, what would her diet look like? She already ate little and not much food appealed to her. Monitoring her sodium and fluid intake seemed so overwhelming and so limiting. How would she get into/out of bed without difficulty, without harm? How will she be comfortable and happy in her present condition? Knowing my concerns and anxiety level, the hospital recommended Palliative/Hospice Care. This is when our wonderful relationship with Hospice began.

The minute Hospice became involved, my anxiety level plummeted. Our Hospice Care Manager, Karen, who came to our home shortly after discharge, explained the Hospice philosophy. After she left, I could breathe again. Mom could eat whatever she enjoyed. We got a hospital bed which made a tremendous difference. Mom would have a nurse visit every week and we had a number to call 24/7.

Words can’t express the appreciation we have for our Hospice Nurse, Susanne. With her care and expertise, my mom lost 28 pounds of fluid weight and feels terrific. It goes without saying that getting to this point wasn’t easy but with attentive care and consistent monitoring, Susanne and her team met the challenge!

Today, my mom is actively getting through her bucket list. Time isn't spent going to medical office visits but is spent dining out and getting manicures. Mom was in Mountaintop visiting her grandson’s new home and will be flying to Florida soon to visit four other grandchildren in their new homes. Life is good!

Hospice for us wasn't about death or despair but hope and having the tools to live life to the fullest. We don’t know when my mom’s heart will stop beating but with hospice, she won’t miss a beat the rest of her life.