Two weeks ago Mum had a chest infection; her GP put her on antibiotics and she seemed to perk up a little after a few days, although her appetite was poor and she wasn't eating much.
On Saturday Mum was having problems breathing so we called the out of hours GP. He said "Your Mum's suffered enough, time to let her wind down now. It's not fair to let her carry on living in pain and distress " and signed her up for palliative care.
For two days district nurses called every five or six hours and gave Mum injections of midazolam, she was still able to communicate and was drinking normally and eating small amounts. In between the injections Mum suddenly started to become very agitated and distressed.
Tuesday morning the nurse gave her her injection, and four hours later Mum died in her sleep.
Mum is at peace, and for that I'm grateful, I'm glad it's all over for her but I feel I've just been left spinning....one day I'm a full time carer and the next day it's all over - nothing.
I can't help but wonder if the palliative care hastened Mums death? She was 93 and very frail, I can't get past the awful feeling that the use of such powerful drugs finished her off? I asked the district nurse and she replied "It's always a risk"....
Mums GP has phoned me twice since to ask if I'm happy with the care Mum was given and I've made an appointment to talk it over with him.
Has anyone else been left with unanswered questions or felt that their loved ones treatment was taken out of their hands?
Thinking tonight of all of you wonderful carers who have lost loved ones to this awful disease, wishing you all peace of mind, comfort and rest.
On Saturday Mum was having problems breathing so we called the out of hours GP. He said "Your Mum's suffered enough, time to let her wind down now. It's not fair to let her carry on living in pain and distress " and signed her up for palliative care.
For two days district nurses called every five or six hours and gave Mum injections of midazolam, she was still able to communicate and was drinking normally and eating small amounts. In between the injections Mum suddenly started to become very agitated and distressed.
Tuesday morning the nurse gave her her injection, and four hours later Mum died in her sleep.
Mum is at peace, and for that I'm grateful, I'm glad it's all over for her but I feel I've just been left spinning....one day I'm a full time carer and the next day it's all over - nothing.
I can't help but wonder if the palliative care hastened Mums death? She was 93 and very frail, I can't get past the awful feeling that the use of such powerful drugs finished her off? I asked the district nurse and she replied "It's always a risk"....
Mums GP has phoned me twice since to ask if I'm happy with the care Mum was given and I've made an appointment to talk it over with him.
Has anyone else been left with unanswered questions or felt that their loved ones treatment was taken out of their hands?
Thinking tonight of all of you wonderful carers who have lost loved ones to this awful disease, wishing you all peace of mind, comfort and rest.
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