Saturday 7 August 2010

Six Word Saturday#21

Describing your Saturday life or thoughts on Show My Face at the moment of writing in a phrase using just six words.

Last Days

In-laws too frail to return home**

** My mother-in-law has severe dementia but with an increasingly frail husband and the care of my sister-in-law they were able to stay at home. We live 300 miles away and the brother-in-law lives in China so if this arrangement broke we had few options left. It did break as my father-in-law had a stroke last month and is still in hospital leaving the sisters trying to juggle care for their mother. It is highly likely that they will now have to move to a Home as they need 24/7 care but this is still not certain, not least because they haven’t agreed. The painful slow collapse of their life has made it clear to me that I will resist attempts of the medical profession to keep me alive when I decide that the quality of my life is lower then I want. Both of my in-laws have had medical interventions – heart surgery and pacemaker – that has prolonged life but undermined its quality. I’m not arguing for euthanasia. although this has it merits, but for a choice of pain control and allowing events to unfold naturally. I’m here to live not to demonstrate the power of western medicine.

5 comments:

  1. There is no Hell in the afterlife. It's the going out the door that's the big "H."

    SF~~~~~*

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  2. Hi again!

    My 64U:
    Sorry to read about their problems.

    Agree with your views though.

    LOLA:)

    PS Mine this time is HERE. Hope you can stop by.

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  3. @ SparkleFarkle so agree
    @ Nora may well do!

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  4. ~a post that sparks alot of emotion...i send blessings upon you and your family today and always...i am sorry...last year my fatherinlaw passed from cancer...we spent months there caring for him...it started in the hospital...hearing his words that he was ready...no longer wanting this life...ready to go...was painstaking...unimaginable but then to stop and listen to what those words truly meant...my thoughts are far different...euthanasia...its a tough one that so many have their own views strong opinions...i know life has a way about...working and doing as it should...but to see such suffering agony and pain...makes you think twice for a moment...i couldn't agree and feel your words ever more...well wishes and blessings aplenty to you and yours~

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  5. I am sorry you are going through this. My mother-in-law is 93 and has now gone into a home. She has dementia and is very confused. My husband and his brother have managed to get lasting power of attorney over her affairs but there will be tantrums and tears ahead when she insists on going home and finds she cannot. She is not safe to live alone. I do so agree with your final sentence.

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This blog was inspired by First 50 words where you freewrite from a single word prompt. I use random words or images to create flash fiction in formats ranging from twitter postcards to short short stories.