Can you be end of life and then not end of life? My husband has not eaten for 21/22 days, sips of fluids from time to time. He was taken into hospital after week and a half of respite care, mainly not eating (I was very ill in January, no choice about respite care), had a couple of seizures and into hospital. I was told he was on fast track, end of life continuing health care, to go and sort out a nursing home, given a couple with vacancies, went to see and the first assessed him and said they would take him, and he was transferred there on Wednesday this week. All this has happened since 1st February. Not very long, though it seems a lifetime.
I've been visiting each day since I got well enough, first care home, then hospital. Then care home again since Wednesday. Daughters and grandchildren have been to say goodbyes, we are just waiting it out. He seemed settled, comfortable, not in too much distress, refusing food but the odd sip of water.
When I visited today he seemed less out of it - very weak and a bit confused, but less so than he has been. Talked about being hungry, though he didn't actually want any food, a whisky might be nice (hasn't had alcohol for some months). I'm not sure I could cope with it all starting again, I really want it to be "end of life". Is that a dreadful thing to say? it would seem kinder all round. What is the point? I felt quite panicky driving home, can you just come back from "end of life"?
I've been visiting each day since I got well enough, first care home, then hospital. Then care home again since Wednesday. Daughters and grandchildren have been to say goodbyes, we are just waiting it out. He seemed settled, comfortable, not in too much distress, refusing food but the odd sip of water.
When I visited today he seemed less out of it - very weak and a bit confused, but less so than he has been. Talked about being hungry, though he didn't actually want any food, a whisky might be nice (hasn't had alcohol for some months). I'm not sure I could cope with it all starting again, I really want it to be "end of life". Is that a dreadful thing to say? it would seem kinder all round. What is the point? I felt quite panicky driving home, can you just come back from "end of life"?