Quick update
The GP saw my mum today and advised that she be started on Ensure! I was expecting (and dreading) something more radical than that so was somewhat surprised when I found out. However, she has been more alert today and seems to have eaten and drunk a little more. The worrying thing is that she seems to have developed a tendency to keep small amounts of food in her mouth for a long time, to the point that she can fall asleep like that. I noticed food in her mouth last night, long after she had eaten and the same thing happened tonight. My sister had managed to get her to drink some thickened orange juice and she had also had some liquid medicine. Just as I was about to leave I realised she had a small piece of what looked like tinned fruit in her mouth. It must have been there for hours literally. Obviously the worry is that she will choke on or aspirate food. However, it appears that we are not going to have to make any major decisions immediately.
Thanks to everyone for being so supportive as always. It has helped me to think the pros and cons through and hopefully I will be a little clearer if the time comes when I do have to make a decision such as this, whether that be sooner or later.
Brenda
The GP saw my mum today and advised that she be started on Ensure! I was expecting (and dreading) something more radical than that so was somewhat surprised when I found out. However, she has been more alert today and seems to have eaten and drunk a little more. The worrying thing is that she seems to have developed a tendency to keep small amounts of food in her mouth for a long time, to the point that she can fall asleep like that. I noticed food in her mouth last night, long after she had eaten and the same thing happened tonight. My sister had managed to get her to drink some thickened orange juice and she had also had some liquid medicine. Just as I was about to leave I realised she had a small piece of what looked like tinned fruit in her mouth. It must have been there for hours literally. Obviously the worry is that she will choke on or aspirate food. However, it appears that we are not going to have to make any major decisions immediately.
Thanks to everyone for being so supportive as always. It has helped me to think the pros and cons through and hopefully I will be a little clearer if the time comes when I do have to make a decision such as this, whether that be sooner or later.
Brenda