Hospice Care After 15 Years of Battling Multiple Myeloma

Hospice. Not a word I wanted to hear yesterday. After surviving 15 years with multiple myeloma, my husband has no more treatments available. Facing this reality is overwhelming. I have so many questions and "what ifs". Naturally, I researched whether this is the right decision for Michael or should he just remain in palliative care, without treatment. The list of criteria I discovered described exactly what he's been experiencing recently:

• No further treatments available

• Increased hospitalizations or ER visits

• Declining strength and appetite

• More frequent infections or complications

Check, check, check, and check. As much as I don't want to give up, it seems that it's time to change this crazy schedule and allow Michael some quality time without the poison in his body. Running the roads between home, Richmond, and Tappahannock has been draining--emotionally, physically, and financially on both of us. My heart is breaking. Perhaps a new season of our lives in which we can actually smell the roses begins tomorrow.

A rose from our garden today!