My mum started to decline noticeably about 5 weeks ago. I noticed she wasn't using her right arm anymore and her right hand had a tremor. She became very withdrawn and has gradually stopped eating and is finding drinking difficult. She has been in bed in the nursing home for the last 2 weeks and they give her personal care in bed, rather than getting her up for a wash in the bathroom. Last night I was called by the staff who were very concerned she was going to die. Her breathing was very shallow and she was unresponsive. As I was 90 miles away trying to clear her house for sale, I rushed back and arrived at 11pm. When I spoke to her and touched her she opened her eyes and from then on was responsive, even talking in words that made sense, rather than the usual gobbledygook. She drank a 250 ml bottle of Peroni and kept saying she loved beer! I left an hour and a half later when she fell asleep.
Today she's unable to drink and is very sleepy and not very responsive, although she did tell me to shut up when I asked her if she was in pain! She's like a skeleton and is being turned every 4 hours. The staff are concerned but no one has any idea how near the end she is. I am trying to get the house sale to completion next week and am praying she can keep going until all is completed. Otherwise it will all be put on hold for months.
She has always been physically strong but is obviously getting weaker, although she is incontinent of urine so there is water inside her. It's so awful to see her in this state. I want her to go for her sake but the thought of losing my mum is horrible to contemplate. Don't think I've cried as much as I have these last few weeks.
Today she's unable to drink and is very sleepy and not very responsive, although she did tell me to shut up when I asked her if she was in pain! She's like a skeleton and is being turned every 4 hours. The staff are concerned but no one has any idea how near the end she is. I am trying to get the house sale to completion next week and am praying she can keep going until all is completed. Otherwise it will all be put on hold for months.
She has always been physically strong but is obviously getting weaker, although she is incontinent of urine so there is water inside her. It's so awful to see her in this state. I want her to go for her sake but the thought of losing my mum is horrible to contemplate. Don't think I've cried as much as I have these last few weeks.