*seething*
My mother's brother, the last of their generation on both sides other than my Mom's step-brothers and half-sister, was admitted to the hospital last week for multiple reasons.
He had back pain for months, which his primary kept prescribing pills for. Finally, when it was still bothersome, his primary referred him to a pain management center, where x-rays were finally done. A mass was detected, and tests eventually revealed it was malignant lung cancer.
My uncle also has had emphysema for years, and his breathing has rapidly deteriorated.
Further tests showed that he apparently also recently had a mild heart attack.
But, it was not detected at the time.
So. Last Thursday we were being told he was going to be transferred to a Hospice facility. My sister decided to fly in from Pittsburgh to visit with him, as we know Hospice means end of life care. She arrived late Friday night, we had a visit in his hospital room on Saturday, my sister returned home Sunday morning, and Sunday afternoon my Uncle was transferred to the Hospice facility.
My aunt said he was going there for rehabilitative reasons. I am
not tactful, and said in an email I was confused. She asked why, and I explained that Hospice must have changed their mission statement, as I only knew them as an end of life care organization.
She said my Uncle's doctor has
not told her he was terminal, and the plan is to get him back on his feet and bring him home. My cousin, the younger of his two sons, is talking about helping him with their locksmithing business.
I double checked the website for their Hospice. No change in mission statement. They are an organization for terminal care.
My Uncle
must know this. I can understand a desire to fight. But to not inform his wife and chidren of the status and to have his doctor and the people of Hospice keep them in the dark.
And for my aunt and cousins to not
know the mission of Hospice...
Unless they are all in outright denial.
But, if this is my Uncle's decision to not tell my Aunt and cousins his status, it is
his choice. I think it's wrong and ultimately
cruel. But...it is his choice.
I just have to fight any further inclination to discuss...arrangements and plans.
...it's not my place...it's not my place...it's not my place...
arrrgh 