[Semper Paratus]

When my Mother-in-Law ended up in Nursing Home suffering, among other things, from emphysmia, I was shocked when I saw her dragging on a cigarette when I visited. The explanation was, this is their home and we can't stop them from smoking.

[starfish923]

When my Mother-in-Law ended up in Nursing Home suffering, among other things, from emphysmia, I was shocked when I saw her dragging on a cigarette when I visited. The explanation was, this is their home and we can't stop them from smoking.

Those nurses were right on the money. Good for them! Emphysema is a killer from which there is no escape. Being in a nuring home isn't any fun either with the continual invasive poking and probing into one's body. Ugh. Your mother-in-law was allowed to spend her last days puffing away in some peace.

My aunt died from lung cancer, smoking 3-4 packs a day.
In the last months of her life the hospital wouldn't let her smoke. How stupid, useless and mean was that?
She was finally sent home to die. She smoked away those last weeks. She even bought a new blouse. I loved my Aunt Ginny. I miss her still.

I never have understood that mentality about the dying. Nurses and doctors would even have the dying "watch their diet." Completely unclear on the concept.

[pollyannaish]

I took care of wealthy elderly people in their homes to help me get myself through college.

One woman I helped used to have weekly bridge parties. Four elderly ladies would come over, situate their oxygen tanks, sit down at the card table and smoke until the room was blue.

Used to scare the living daylights out of me. No one was ever hurt, but boy did I smell nasty when I got home every day. Blech.