Dad's Meds

When someone has cancer ......
When someone has chemo .....
When their desire is to stay in their home ......


There are so many things the average person doesn't think about.  The meds my Dad was on were very powerful toward the end.  Something a doctor might prescribe after a procedure, such as percocet, would make our own pains tolerable.  But those couldn't touch the pains Dad was having.  His prescriptions were so much more than that.  So what happens to those meds after he's gone?  Because of the newer regulations for hazardous waste, they can't be thrown out, or even flushed in the toilet.  They can't be re-used or given to another patient, or any one else.  And the instructions from Hospice were for Mom to have them gone within five days.


Today we checked around and found out where they could be dropped off.  We drove over to Valley Health Center and found the drop off location to get them out of the house.  It was a relief in having that chore done, checked off the list.  Something we could do to help Mom so that she doesn't have to do it all on her own.


Have you ever flushed meds in the toilet?  I'm guessing we all have a time or two in the past.  But that's no longer an option. Those meds get mixed in our water supply, they're difficult to filter out, and for that reason, we all should be aware of our local or county rules are for disposing of expired meds.  Some locales have a special day where you can drop all these things off, usually along with other potentially harmful things, such as chemicals and paints.

Do the right thing and be kind to the environment.

On a more personal note, here we are, six days out and its odd.  I was sitting on the couch this evening, and half expecting my Dad to come lumbering down the hall after his shower.  But that's not going to happen, and it was an eerie feeling.

In the last two years or so, getting around was becoming increasingly difficult.  And while I didn't expect him to be a helping hand in whatever project needs doing, I relied on his advice.  I loved being able to explore options as to the best way to handle getting the job done in ways that were both efficient and long lasting.  I will miss that most of all.  Love you, Dad!