Back In The Hospital

[Janet]

Yesterday started off pretty good. Mom felt good enough to go to Wal Mart and do some grocery shopping. Of course she rides one of the cart things, but she was doing good.

After we got home she started getting weaker and weaker and decided to go to bed for some rest. Her BP and temp were normal. She had been having loose stools and her hemorrhoids started hurting again. Long story short....my brothers came out and we took her back to the hospital.

Mom was severely dehydrated because of the loose stool, complaining of stomach pain and her potassium was dangerously low. She was admitted. The hospital did EKG, a scan where she had to drink this contrast stuff to see her abdomen and a chest xray. Mom has diverticulitis again, white cells are elevated, fluid in her lungs, and just not doing well.

Mom has been ill before, but this time it seems different. Unless she has a vast improvement....I just don't know if she'll make it home. They are not going to let her eat for two days....only fluid and that has always been extremely hard on her. Mom has always bounced back...but she's getting so tired.

My older brother and I didn't get home until after 2 this morning so I needed to stay home and sleep a bit. I will head over right after my route this afternoon. Not sure what I want to ask of you all at this time.....maybe prayers...that she doesn't suffer any longer or that her health can be somewhat restored, which ever is best and of course...God's Will. I feel so bad for her and all the tests they do. She gets so afraid of the tests and stresses so bad because she has such a low pain tolerance and worries how bad it will hurt...or how bad it will taste.

I wish I could stay with her at the hospital, but I'll have to make do with driving back and forth between routes.

[JJJ]

Oh Janet I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope she starts gaining her strength back. Many cyber hugs your way.

[Blueyes]

So, so sorry Janet. If your mom hates the tests so much, just don't do them. Call in hospice, and they will keep her comfortable. I'm not saying this lightly, but I've been in your shoes. God bless you both!

[Janet]

Originally Posted by Blueyes

So, so sorry Janet. If your mom hates the tests so much, just don't do them. Call in hospice, and they will keep her comfortable. I'm not saying this lightly, but I've been in your shoes. God bless you both!

I'm going to try and check in with Hospice, but please tell me more of your experience Betsi and just exactly what do they do?

[gja1000]

Oh Janet, I'm so sorry! It is so hard when so many things are wrong and no one can seem to get them fixed. I know she is tired and wants this to be over. I think Betsi's suggestion of Hospice is a good one - they know how to help people feel comfortable and have the best quality of life at the end. And don't think that using hospice means that she is going to die in the next few weeks. Many people enter hospice and do so well, they get discharged from hospice. It is a good choice though, when people need help being comfortable without a lot of medical intervention.

[judy]

Hospice care makes sense for now Janet. It seems to me that going back and forth to the hospital, being tested all of the time, and getting weaker, then stronger are so stressful to the body!

You will know in your heart what is best. Hospice is not always a "last stop." She sure needs a lot of TLC, and medical professionals around. This might be just the right thing for her.

[JJJ]

Originally Posted by gja1000

Oh Janet, I'm so sorry! It is so hard when so many things are wrong and no one can seem to get them fixed. I know she is tired and wants this to be over. I think Betsi's suggestion of Hospice is a good one - they know how to help people feel comfortable and have the best quality of life at the end. And don't think that using hospice means that she is going to die in the next few weeks. Many people enter hospice and do so well, they get discharged from hospice. It is a good choice though, when people need help being comfortable without a lot of medical intervention.

Hospice sounds scary but many people do well and get discharge. Talk to your mom and see if she wants to sign the DNR paper or not. That is very important especially when there moved to hospice. If she does not sign make sure they are very aware of it.

[paula1961]

So very sorry to hear this Janet. I know all too well what you're going through. I know you don't want her to suffer. It will work out like it's supposed to no matter what...it's in God's hands. Your Mom is in my prayers and so are you and your brothers. Hugs to you friend.