Hello,
After 6 years of battling a host of illnesses, my MIL has no more viable treatment options and we have been told she has weeks / months to live. She is in hospital, weakened by a virus and subsequent HAI, and because of her dementia does not understand where she is or why.
My OH is in the awful position of having to make all decisions for her, and there is a slight difference of opinion between two of her Drs. Dr A was extremely blunt - said treatment was no longer possible, it was a miracle she'd lived this long, she was confused and agitated - and we should withdraw all medical support and monitoring (including the drip) and give her the dignity of letting nature take its course as quickly as possible. Dr B agreed mostly, but wants to keep the drip in place and a minimum amount of monitoring, taking a slightly softer approach. Both were doubtful she'd leave the hospital, though said a hospice could be an option depending on what happened.
She still knows who we are and has occasional moments of clarity, but not enough to explain things to her or get her input (not by a long way).
Does anyone have any experience of this, or understand the benefits / risks of either Drs approach? My OH is devastated at the thought of being a decision maker in his mums death, worried about not fighting for her enough but also scared he will prolong her suffering.
And we also feel she's not always getting enough pain relief - despite having regular pain killers and periodic drops of morphine. Sometimes it seems she's in agony though she can't express it. If anyone has any guidance on this I'd appreciate it too.
Many thanks,
xxx
After 6 years of battling a host of illnesses, my MIL has no more viable treatment options and we have been told she has weeks / months to live. She is in hospital, weakened by a virus and subsequent HAI, and because of her dementia does not understand where she is or why.
My OH is in the awful position of having to make all decisions for her, and there is a slight difference of opinion between two of her Drs. Dr A was extremely blunt - said treatment was no longer possible, it was a miracle she'd lived this long, she was confused and agitated - and we should withdraw all medical support and monitoring (including the drip) and give her the dignity of letting nature take its course as quickly as possible. Dr B agreed mostly, but wants to keep the drip in place and a minimum amount of monitoring, taking a slightly softer approach. Both were doubtful she'd leave the hospital, though said a hospice could be an option depending on what happened.
She still knows who we are and has occasional moments of clarity, but not enough to explain things to her or get her input (not by a long way).
Does anyone have any experience of this, or understand the benefits / risks of either Drs approach? My OH is devastated at the thought of being a decision maker in his mums death, worried about not fighting for her enough but also scared he will prolong her suffering.
And we also feel she's not always getting enough pain relief - despite having regular pain killers and periodic drops of morphine. Sometimes it seems she's in agony though she can't express it. If anyone has any guidance on this I'd appreciate it too.
Many thanks,
xxx