My mum is in hospital again, for the fourth, or fifth time this year. This time went from care home (about which she had protested, because she claimed she was the only one 'awake')where she'd been only a couple of weeks. She had been getting weaker, less able to use her frame and needing help with feeding. A month ago she was trying (dangerously) to walk alone with a stick and holding rational conversations, eating normally, laughing and being extremely lucid when we took her out in wheelchair to the park.
I'm terribly worried. She is only 70 but has a catalogue of illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, vascular dementia, triple bypass 2 years ago, poor balance, etc. Now she went in with a UTI which sent her diabetes wild (up to 27, then down to 3.2). Apparently there a signs of sepsis. She's been in since Monday and now they suspect she may have c. diff. She is not eating or drinking, unable to swallow medication. On a drip for diabetes and another to hydrate. Antibiotics being given intravenously.
Yesterday I saw her and she spoke to me (made no sense, just words strung together). Tears rolled down her cheeks. I couldn't stop crying, had to go and try to compose myself and return. I gave her a few spoonfuls of yoghourt (she ate only yoghourt and soup previous day). She smiled when I kissed her goodbye, but then looked so confused that I was going.
Today she unable to stay awake for anyone. Still no food (she is very very thin anyway) and still has fever. I saw the doctor and was told they were 'worried'. Not sure why not improving despite antibiotics. They suggested it could be a combination of illness and depression (she taken off medication for this earlier in year due to sodium problem). She is also very stiff (don't know what the significance of this is) and face and hands swollen. She didn't appear to register my presence. She made no reaction when I kissed her goodbye or stroked her hair.
I'm on my own at moment (husband away till sunday) with two young children. Doing my best to visit between nursery (I don't drive, hospital over an hour away via 3 buses) but just don't know what i should be doing. Have managed to get several people to offer help so I can go every day for an hour till my husband gets back, but just don't know what to think. Could she be dying? The doctors have not said this, but by saying they are worried I get the feeling they are not optimistic, and the c. diff business I know is dangerous.
Don't really know why I am writing all this. I guess it's because I've been reading this forum for a while and found great comfort in reading other people's posts. I'm struggling to get a grip. I had thought my mum had 'mild' dementia, but she has become so frail it's been hard to assess her real 'condition'.
Does anyone have any advice about what i should be doing? Should I drop everything and be at her bedside? Will she know I am there? Is it worse to be there if I am crying (i'm sorry, but i simply can't control this at the moment)?
Apologies for length of post. Feeling low.
Peppa
I'm terribly worried. She is only 70 but has a catalogue of illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, vascular dementia, triple bypass 2 years ago, poor balance, etc. Now she went in with a UTI which sent her diabetes wild (up to 27, then down to 3.2). Apparently there a signs of sepsis. She's been in since Monday and now they suspect she may have c. diff. She is not eating or drinking, unable to swallow medication. On a drip for diabetes and another to hydrate. Antibiotics being given intravenously.
Yesterday I saw her and she spoke to me (made no sense, just words strung together). Tears rolled down her cheeks. I couldn't stop crying, had to go and try to compose myself and return. I gave her a few spoonfuls of yoghourt (she ate only yoghourt and soup previous day). She smiled when I kissed her goodbye, but then looked so confused that I was going.
Today she unable to stay awake for anyone. Still no food (she is very very thin anyway) and still has fever. I saw the doctor and was told they were 'worried'. Not sure why not improving despite antibiotics. They suggested it could be a combination of illness and depression (she taken off medication for this earlier in year due to sodium problem). She is also very stiff (don't know what the significance of this is) and face and hands swollen. She didn't appear to register my presence. She made no reaction when I kissed her goodbye or stroked her hair.
I'm on my own at moment (husband away till sunday) with two young children. Doing my best to visit between nursery (I don't drive, hospital over an hour away via 3 buses) but just don't know what i should be doing. Have managed to get several people to offer help so I can go every day for an hour till my husband gets back, but just don't know what to think. Could she be dying? The doctors have not said this, but by saying they are worried I get the feeling they are not optimistic, and the c. diff business I know is dangerous.
Don't really know why I am writing all this. I guess it's because I've been reading this forum for a while and found great comfort in reading other people's posts. I'm struggling to get a grip. I had thought my mum had 'mild' dementia, but she has become so frail it's been hard to assess her real 'condition'.
Does anyone have any advice about what i should be doing? Should I drop everything and be at her bedside? Will she know I am there? Is it worse to be there if I am crying (i'm sorry, but i simply can't control this at the moment)?
Apologies for length of post. Feeling low.
Peppa