Hello all,
I suppose this will be my last post. I came aboard the forum in June 2013 and it has given me much support over that time - looking at other peoples posts and getting help, support and advice has helped my journey dealing with this disgusting disease. My dad 83, was diagnosed around 8 years ago, and ended up in a home just over a year ago. He has long term enlarged prostrate & does have a tendency to UI, but the signs are easy to see, so you can usually catch it early. About 6 weeks ago he had a nasty bladder infection that ended up with him being admitted into hospital on 14th feb. His dementia and confusion meant that he kept pulling out the catheter, and making the situation worse.
During his time in the hospital he just seemed to only be given more and more painkillers, and the urology dept did not want to see him, so the cause was not dealt with.
He was going downhill within about 10 day, and went from being strong & eating on his own in the carehome, to a weakling that could not stand unaided, was becoming super skinny & could not speak anymore - just mumbling. I started jumping up and down a couple of weeks into his stay, and asked the forum for help!
We had hoped things were looking up a bit with Dad on Thurs night - the 12th, as his catheter finally came out, and he could pee normally again! But he was rather odd on Saturday & seemed to be unaware of anyone around him. The nurse said his pee was a bit sugary, but I thought nothing of it? Unfortunately he went downhill very quickly on the Sun afternoon, and we were called to the hospital around 7pm.
He was fighting hard Sunday night, and although not conscious was moving around a lot which was hard to watch (like watching your dog lying in pain after being run over, and no one will let you get to it, or even put it out of its misery).
Dad slowly got weaker & could not take on any fluid orally, so he was put on a morphine syringe driver on Monday lunchtime by the end of life nurse, to avoid any more pain, which made him much more comfortable. It was then just waiting for the inevitable. Blood tests had been taken and the results showed severe renal failure.
Mum and I were with him at the end at 2pm on Tuesday 17th, and it was a peaceful day, the fight had finally left him so this made it easier for us.
Mum and I are pretty OK (ish!), we both shed a lot of tears Monday as I think the reality that he was really going hit us, and it was such a shock. But we were not too bad when he actually went. I was so helpful for me to be with him & I never thought I would say that. Feeling rather numb, but I expect that is normal.
He died of poor renal function & prostrate hypertrophy. Oh, after all my jumping up and down the urology dept did finally offer to see him - unfortunately he died before the appointment.....don't let this happen to you. A lot of departments do not want to see dementia patients, so jump around straight away! maybe my dad can save one of your parents.
Thanks to you all again for all the support. I am an only child so its not always easy to find someone to talk to.
Dads funeral is 1st April at noon, so if you can have a thought for us & raise a glass - he is probably already in the great bar in the sky with his old pals!! P.S. have asked for donations to go in part to the Alzheimer's Society. Bye Tara x
I suppose this will be my last post. I came aboard the forum in June 2013 and it has given me much support over that time - looking at other peoples posts and getting help, support and advice has helped my journey dealing with this disgusting disease. My dad 83, was diagnosed around 8 years ago, and ended up in a home just over a year ago. He has long term enlarged prostrate & does have a tendency to UI, but the signs are easy to see, so you can usually catch it early. About 6 weeks ago he had a nasty bladder infection that ended up with him being admitted into hospital on 14th feb. His dementia and confusion meant that he kept pulling out the catheter, and making the situation worse.
During his time in the hospital he just seemed to only be given more and more painkillers, and the urology dept did not want to see him, so the cause was not dealt with.
He was going downhill within about 10 day, and went from being strong & eating on his own in the carehome, to a weakling that could not stand unaided, was becoming super skinny & could not speak anymore - just mumbling. I started jumping up and down a couple of weeks into his stay, and asked the forum for help!
We had hoped things were looking up a bit with Dad on Thurs night - the 12th, as his catheter finally came out, and he could pee normally again! But he was rather odd on Saturday & seemed to be unaware of anyone around him. The nurse said his pee was a bit sugary, but I thought nothing of it? Unfortunately he went downhill very quickly on the Sun afternoon, and we were called to the hospital around 7pm.
He was fighting hard Sunday night, and although not conscious was moving around a lot which was hard to watch (like watching your dog lying in pain after being run over, and no one will let you get to it, or even put it out of its misery).
Dad slowly got weaker & could not take on any fluid orally, so he was put on a morphine syringe driver on Monday lunchtime by the end of life nurse, to avoid any more pain, which made him much more comfortable. It was then just waiting for the inevitable. Blood tests had been taken and the results showed severe renal failure.
Mum and I were with him at the end at 2pm on Tuesday 17th, and it was a peaceful day, the fight had finally left him so this made it easier for us.
Mum and I are pretty OK (ish!), we both shed a lot of tears Monday as I think the reality that he was really going hit us, and it was such a shock. But we were not too bad when he actually went. I was so helpful for me to be with him & I never thought I would say that. Feeling rather numb, but I expect that is normal.
He died of poor renal function & prostrate hypertrophy. Oh, after all my jumping up and down the urology dept did finally offer to see him - unfortunately he died before the appointment.....don't let this happen to you. A lot of departments do not want to see dementia patients, so jump around straight away! maybe my dad can save one of your parents.
Thanks to you all again for all the support. I am an only child so its not always easy to find someone to talk to.
Dads funeral is 1st April at noon, so if you can have a thought for us & raise a glass - he is probably already in the great bar in the sky with his old pals!! P.S. have asked for donations to go in part to the Alzheimer's Society. Bye Tara x
