It’s been a torturous few weeks watching my brother’s FTD accelerate so very rapidly. He lost a lot of weight and found it a huge struggle to move. He had to have absolutely everything done for him but he still seemed to have a bit of interest in his surroundings and did his best to talk. He’d only been taking a few mouthfuls of food a day and a few mouthfuls of fortified drink.
However, just three days ago he stopped drinking and became totally bedridden.
The doctor was called to examine him and concluded that my brother’s body had reached the end of life stage. It seems he’s had lost the ability to swallow. It was all so sudden.
So the doctor offered me two choices for his end of life pathway. Either for him to go into the nearest hospital to be looked after or to stay at the care home. I chose the latter. The thought of him ending his life in an anonymous ward was not an option. The care home have been brilliant at looking after him and they are more than capable of keeping him comfortable.
It’s so sad and although I knew it was coming, I am shocked at how fast this final stage has evolved.
I sat with him this morning and he opened his eyes and seemed to know me. I was holding his hand and talking to him. I’m hoping that wasn’t the final goodbye but I suppose it could have been though I’m told it’s possible that he may be able to go on like this for a week or more. It’s tough. I feel exhausted and my nerves are on edge but it is, what it is. That’s an irritating phrase, I know, but true in this case. Just have to be strong.
However, just three days ago he stopped drinking and became totally bedridden.
The doctor was called to examine him and concluded that my brother’s body had reached the end of life stage. It seems he’s had lost the ability to swallow. It was all so sudden.
So the doctor offered me two choices for his end of life pathway. Either for him to go into the nearest hospital to be looked after or to stay at the care home. I chose the latter. The thought of him ending his life in an anonymous ward was not an option. The care home have been brilliant at looking after him and they are more than capable of keeping him comfortable.
It’s so sad and although I knew it was coming, I am shocked at how fast this final stage has evolved.
I sat with him this morning and he opened his eyes and seemed to know me. I was holding his hand and talking to him. I’m hoping that wasn’t the final goodbye but I suppose it could have been though I’m told it’s possible that he may be able to go on like this for a week or more. It’s tough. I feel exhausted and my nerves are on edge but it is, what it is. That’s an irritating phrase, I know, but true in this case. Just have to be strong.
