Economy and General Discussion

{{{Julie}}} You have certainly been through a lot, with your father. You seem to be handling the stress very well. How is he handling it?

I would appreciate anything that you would care to share.

My husband's mother is no longer well. She almost died, two years ago, of liver failure (she doesn't drink alcohol -- it came out of the blue).

After a week of hospitalization, the doctor recommended placing MIL in a nursing home. However, she demanded to be brought home. She owns a motel, so "home" is a room in the motel, which also has a restaurant. DH's very intelligent, hardworking sister runs the motel. We brought MIL "home." DH, SIL and I worked round-the-clock, for 2 weeks, trying to get MIL better, before she relapsed, and had to be hospitalized again. Then she went to a nursing home.

After the nursing home, MIL "graduated" to an assisted living facility. MIL is from tough Finnish stock (you'd never know how tough she is, because she is so sweet :-) ). She has recovered to the point that she is able to walk around, feed herself, etc. When she was sick, she couldn't even lift her head.

MIL is not terminal. In fact, she seems well enough to continue indefinitely. However, the health crisis, two years ago, took us by surprise. There is no saying whether it, or another health crisis, will recur.

Any advice that you give will help me prepare for the future. I know how hard it must be, for you to relive the past, but, if you don't mind, your experience will help me.

Thank you,

Wendy