Not been on here for a while, but thought I would give an update on how my mum is.
She is still in St. Andrews Hospice- thats her been in 4 weeks now. Her care is fantastic- nurses/doctors bend over backwards to make her very comfortable and she is very well looked after. Initially when she was admitted 4 weeks ago, the doctors did not think she would last overnight, but she picked up quite dramatically overnight when they altered her medications and we were able to go out on a few day passes and went to Silverburn, Livingston and to my house for a haircut! We had to use a wheelchair, but it was great nonetheless. She was doing so well that they planned for her to go home for a while, and me and my OH were going to move back in with her.
However she took a bit of a dip again over the weekend, and she is very weak. The abdomen is very swollen and she has a scan tomorrow to see if there is anymore fluid they can drain away, as the doctors think it might just be the liver that is swollen and there is not much fluid there to drain. I just pray there is fluid there to drain, as her breathing is very uncomfortable due to the pressure from the abdomen. She is largely on bed-rest as she cannot get up and walk about anymore as she is so weak, but the hospice never give up on her, so hopefully if they drain fluid she can try to get some strength back as she hates relying on anyone to help her move as she is so fiercly independent, and I hate seeing her like this as she is so frustrated. The only saving grace is that her lungs and brain are clear. It is just so hard to see her in this torment, as although she is not in much pain (she is now on a syringe driver), she misses her independence as she is still very much with it. I have been off my work for 5 weeks now (they have been fantastic too), and have no plans to go back as I want to spend as much time as I can with her. She will not give up without a fight, and I am so grateful she is still here.
Fingers crossed they can drain some fluid on Friday- will keep you all posted.
Hi Nikki,
thank you for the update - I’d been wondering how things were and didn’t like to contact you just in case…
Your Mum is one fiesty lady isn’t she! So glad she is getting good care in the hospice and that she’s been able to get out and do some enjoyable things. I really hope they are able to make her more comfortable. It is so hard watching a loved one struggle, you are so clearly a wonderful daughter, she must be so proud of you.
I hope, too, that you and your husband are finding space for yourselves and the support you need at this difficult time.
Big hug, and the assurance you are all still in my prayers.
Thanks RevCat, please say a wee prayer for my mum that they can drain some fluid away. She is one very fiesty lady!! She just phoned me there this morning to say that she is feeling a bit brighter again this morning- its her spirit that keeps her going, I am convinced of that.
Thank you for updating us, I too was wondering how your Mum was doing, she is a remarkable lady. You are giving your Mum such loving and caring support together with your husband, I have everything crossed that they can find some fluid to drain and ease her breathing, thank God we have these wonderful hospices to care for us.
Bless you all, you’ll definitely be in my prayers. Thanks for the update, your Mum sounds like a really strong woman and you are obviously a very caring daughter, hope they manage to drain some fluid off and get your mum more comfy. Hope you all have a good weekend xx
Hi Nicola,
Thanks for posting, so glad you have all had some good times together and that the care is so good.
Keeping you all in my prayers
Lavender
xx
Hi Nikki ,do hope your mum gets some blessed relief from her fluid retention,I shall light a candle in the chapel in the dark dark wood,you can find it at gratefulness.org/candles.Look under initial ddw in search for candle.you are in my prayers also.
Mavis xx