You're advice has made a huge difference. I feel like I'm thinking a little more clearly. So much of this, I don't feel like I can talk about it face-to-face with family right now. I'm just trying to get my head together.
Anyway, we do have an appointment on the first at the cancer clinic regarding directives. I suggested that and Mom agreed. Does anyone know how far that goes? Does it include power of attorney, living will and all that? I googled the forms, but that's overwhelming, too.
I'm going to hit the bookstore tomorrow for some ideas. What I've googled has been pretty confusing. The ketogenic diet sounded interesting, but mom's already a thin person and weight loss isn't what she needs. I'm looking at high protein things like Ensure and iron rich foods to begin with. I know what she likes that could help sooth her stomach.
I think what I will do is make a phone call to hospice next week. I know we're not ready for that just yet, but I feel it's a place to start. The one thing mom is sure about is that she does not want to die at home. She made that very clear not long ago. I still want to talk to them anyway. I'm not telling a soul about that.
This is the thing with my sister. She came for a short visit not long after we got the diagnosis. While she was here, behind my back, she went to see a funeral home and had an estimate for a basic everything. She wants to have Mom in a casket and buried in Oklahoma next to our Dad. The estimate is only $3000. My Dad passed away 20 years ago and his funeral was over $8000. How in the hell is that even possible? It blew me away when I looked at it today. She set the paper on my dresser where it remained untouched until today. That's how hard this whole thing is. I just can't even deal with that right now. Either way, I see a fight coming no matter what Mom wants and I don't have the stomach for it.
Anyway, thanks again for the support. It means the world. I want you all to know I will be coming back here a lot for advice, ranting or whatever. I flipped off a couple of ladies in the grocery store parking lot today for not moving from a handicapped parking spot that my mom needed. They were standing around chatting and refused to move after I asked very nicely. Yeah, that's the day I had today.
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