[senior citizen]

[quote=Villages PL;548911]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

WHY ALL THE SHOUTING? I CAN HEAR YOU JUST FINE!



I believe you but I wasn't talking about that. Example: The man who had a stroke was confined to his appartment and couldn't go for his daily walks. He couldn't drive his car. He had to have a 24 hour home health aid to cook, shop, bathe and help him on and off the toilet. And for about 15 years leading up to that he had many medical proceedures for heart trouble. THEY DON'T GIVE MORPHINE FOR THESE ISSUES!

My aunt had a radical mastectomy and when the cancer came back she had almost half her brain removed. Then she took lots of prescription drugs and later suffered kidney failure. Most people don't know the miserable life of someone on kidney dialysis. After a long time on dialysis the cancer came back behind her eye and was inoperable. She may or may not have had morphine at the very end but that's not the part of her suffering I was referring to.

The above man was her long time friend and they could no longer see each other because he was confined to his appartment and she went to assisted living. It was a very depressing situation for both of them because they used to see each other every day.

The man I had referred to with cancer was my neighbor. His suffering came when he had to go for chemotherapy. Evidently, at his age it must have been very difficult for him as he was living alone. He was the one who was wishing he would die. And my Aunt's friend said the same.

Yes, I can imagine the scenario you paint and can remember it well as I watched elderly loved ones pass away “slowly”.

Life isn’t fair at times. Not every death is quick and neat. It’s different for everyone.
I could relate to that home health aide you mentioned as I cared for my mom with Alzheimers in my own home until near the very end.

At that time she had to go into a skilled nursing home as I could no longer bathe her; but I do “hear you”. It’s a sad progression for some elderly.


However, if you look at it from a different perspective..........it’s a learning experience for someone else.

It was for me as it is for other caregivers and other family members as well who are just entering that final phase.


I can “top you” on horrible ways to “pass”. We have two elderly gentlemen, both in their 80’s, one an uncle; the other a distant cousin.


Both died in Florida, living alone in a mobile home (or trailer).........no one checked on them in the heat of summer.

Both expired on their sofa / couch..........when found, it wasn’t a pretty sight to behold....given the heat and humidity.

My mom was told her baby brother, 87, had maggots on him. Ditto for the distant cousin of an inlaw of ours.......also late 80’s.


They had each lost their lifelong spouses earlier...........and it wasn’t until some of the out of state children received no response, did someone check in on them.


The ones we’ve seen die, were all in a hospital setting due to the end of life after long term illness......some in Hospice, some just after “comfort” or “palliative care”.

Those were peaceful and the staff was wonderful in all cases.


But even those with PERFECT HEALTH.........can die in the blink of an eye up here.........young people, middle aged people, etc.......if their car collides with a MOOSE or DEER or ice patch.

No sense to become obsessed with death. Just enjoy the life you have now. Look at the unsuspecting folks of all ages who got on the planes September 11th on a beautiful autumn day.
They didn’t know it would be their last one on earth. I can’t even imagine the fear they must have felt. Or, our brave soldiers overseas....thinking the war is winding down. One never knows.