Alternative Treatments - Week 3 of Hospice

As week 2 ended and I realized KK was able to assist with her own care again, I spoke with PACT about bringing her home to die.  In order to do so, they would have to wean her off the morphine by switching to methadone.  They gave her one dose of methadone and she didn't seem to do well.  The timing of it made me think that it was some sort of reaction, but her team insisted it was just the disease's progression.  Either way, I decided against the methadone...which meant we weren't going home.

One of the side effects of morphine is constipation.  By week 3, KK's abdomen was greatly distended.  The nurses tried giving her enemas, but they didn't help very much.  I talked to the team about giving her a coffee colonic.  They said they couldn't administer it, but they were okay if I wanted to try.  So I texted our friend Roxana at Body Balancing Center where KK went for colonics.  She brought all the supplies to the hospital and helped me administer a coffee colonic right there in her room...which brought KK instant relief.

I knew of a natural protocol (MSM water and Colloidal Silver) that could help with pain management with fewer side effects than morphine and methadone, in addition to being a last ditch effort to battle the tumor.  I overnighted the ingredients and stealthily administered them to KK.  As we titrated up on the MSM and CS, we were able to taper down a bit on the morphine.

I also decided to begin ordering options as close to vegan as I could for KK.  She constantly amazed the staff with how happy she was to have a veggie burger, mashed potatoes, and carrots or beans.

KK kept asking to have a bath.  I knew what she wanted was what we called a detox bath with Epsom salts and essential oils.  Unfortunately, all she got was a sponge bath.

All the while, KK kept telling nurses about alternative treatments and high dose vitamin C.  She would explain, "You should look into it.  I surpassed the median survival range using it.  If you have any questions, you can ask my mom."

As I look back on our journey, I know that the alternative treatments did not extend her life (God knew the number of her days and cancer or the treatments I chose couldn't change that), but I believe they improved the quality of her life to the very end.

A Treat - Week 2 of Hospice

I am still not sure what happened as our second week in hospice began except to say God graciously gave me a "treat" when KK woke up -- her voice strong and ready to eat and drink.

One of the (many) things that made me cry during the first week in hospice when KK wasn't eating was that she never got her burger.  KK had it all planned out -- since she was eating a vegan diet with no processed foods, she would eat a burger once the cancer was cured or when there was no more hope.  Her doctor even said he would buy her one when she was ready.

So, when KK woke up ready to eat and drink as week 2 began, I decided to order some of her favorite foods.  The first thing I ordered was pizza.  KK was so happy as she started eating it, then she turned to me and asked, "Is this gluten free?"  I said no.  She then asked, "Is this a treat?"  When I said no again, you could see her processing what that meant and she started to cry.  Since I had told her that I would always tell her the truth, I explained everything that was going on.  At the next meal, I ordered more of her favorites.  As she ate, she asked, "Is this a treat?"  At this point I realized that she didn't remember our previous conversation due to her short-term memory loss.  I couldn't bring myself to say no again.  Since I already told her the whole truth earlier, I said yes...which, if you think about it, wasn't a lie either.

Singing Jesus Loves Me 

to baby Naomi

At the end of the week, we had an extra special treat when my friend Terri flew in from Michigan with her new baby, Naomi.  Every time I tried to hold Naomi she would cry.  Not so with KK...KK and Naomi had an instant bond.  One time when Naomi was crying for me, I placed her in KK's arms, and, as per her usual, KK started sweetly singing Jesus Loves Me and Naomi instantly settled.  Another time when KK was holding Naomi, she asked me if I would like to hold her.  I told her that she would probably start crying, but KK insisted that she wouldn't.  Almost as soon as I picked her up, Naomi began to cry...it was almost comical.  I conceded defeat and allowed KK to enjoy all the baby snuggles.