My Mum passed on the 15th August 2017
Dear Angel
My wonderful Mum passed on the 15th August after five years of Dementia. On the 18th July she went into like a 'coma like sleep' and was admitted to hospital, treated for a urinary infection. As far as I'm concerned it was a failed discharge on the 19th as she was re-admitted on the 20th with in again 'coma like sleep'. Treated for infection again and full bowel. From then on she just seemed to deteriorate very rapidly, not being able to eat and drinking only what we could syringe. There was no conversation and she mainly slept but I didn't give up hoping my continually chatter she could hear. The Hospital discharge team and the Brokerage team wanted her to go into a home as they said 'hospital care is not respite'. Two failures due to Care Homes arguing over cost with Brokerage had me tearfully going in to tell Mums Consultant that 'she was not being moved anywhere, that she was staying put'. On the 7th July along with my Dad, 93 years young, we were told that Mum was now in the last stages of Dementia and life. She was taken to a single room, all her photo's us, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren where put up on her facing wall. Mum was given 24hr Palliative care. I received a call on the morning of the 15th just as I was about to leave for the hospital. Her breathing had become shallow and did I want to come and sit with her. Mum was surrounded by family, a very dear friend of nearly 82 years (they were evacuated together during WW2) and even her youngest Great Grandson of nineteen months. Mum was given morphine, the last was about fifteen minutes before she passed. I cannot fault the ward Mum was on, the staff were absolutely wonderful as was the Registrar who took care of Mum. My upset was NHS protocol and Local Borough Care Homes. Mum had only been in respite once other than that she was at home with my Dad and I seeing to her needs and making sure she was happy. I miss her loads but I feel happy that she is now at peace, so does my dear Dad. My condolence to you and your family at such a sad time but think, she is so much more happier now xxxx