Beth Karjala

Not such a good year! In Feburary because of an increased dosage of oxygen, I found it necessary to have home health care services to cook and clean three hours a day. Because it was almost a new care giver each day, I had to explain to each one  what groceries to order, where to go and how to cook it. This was very traumatic for me  with the new experience of being home-bound, except when I shopped with them or volunteered, went to chair yoga or ceramics class. Because of my concern of running out of oxygen due to the increased dosage, it was constant worry every time I went out of house. I worried about running out of oxygen. This lasted until June 26  when it was necessary to go into the hospital as I was dehydrated and malnourished. Ten days in the hospital, then to a transitional care unit where I was discharged on July 19. The decision was made there, by my choice, to go on Hospice. Twenty two years of shortness of breath and fear of running out of oxygen, I could no longer make it work. With this decesion, I could not be discharged unless I had round the clock home health care.  Although an adjustment, it is peace of mind because I no longer have to worry  about taking care of myself. What a relief. Hospice provides nurse, social worker, volunteers for writing a legacy, a chaplin for writing an obituary. I am at peace with this, I am relieved with this. I am happy and hope you can share that  happiness with me. I will keep you updated weekly. You must sign in and get a password to keep this private.