Kroger, Library, and Morphine, 2014

On 25 January 2014, I posted on Facebook, "Oh, just a typical Saturday morning, picking up a morphine emergency kit." My friends in turn thought that statement was both funny and horrific, because many of my friends had already experienced what I was going through. The morphine kit was part of hospice's directive to have medical supplies at the patient's home to use in case of an emergency. In reality, that kit is usually used to help the patient transition from life to death.

A hospice morphine emergency kit (aka hospice comfort kit, emergency kit, or E-kit), is a collection of medications and supplies that can help relieve end-of-life symptoms. The contents of most comfort kits typically include at least the basic medications for pain, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, and breathing problems.

The kit also can include prescribed medications, and meds for reducing mucus production and the "death rattle" of wet breathing sounds that mucus buildup causes. Our kit also included sponges on straw-like stems that were intended for the patient to suck on for dry mouth. Morphine is the main druge to use for mucus buildup, respiratory distress, and pain.

I also visited the library that morning, but I didn't say whether I was picking up books or returning them. I had to stop at Kroger on the way home as well, as mom wanted a few things from the store. When I returned home, dad wanted to know what was in the kit, but it was sealed. I told him we could look at it later, and reminded him that hospice told us that the kit was to be kept in a safe and convenient place and not to use anything in it unless instructed.

I didn't know what was in the kit at the time, but I sure remember not wanting to examine it. The photo included here is not a hospice comfort kit, but it's similar. I don't remember all the meds that mom was taking, but I have a list somewhere and I'll find it. 

The most important medication other than morphine was the medicine for anxiety. Mom both needed that medication and wanted it, as it didn't make her groggy like her prescribed pain medication. I came to rely on the anxiety medication over the next couple of months more than any other med while dealing with mom's failing body.