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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Alzheimer's / October 2004Ida update
Hi Friends, We went to see Ida yesterday. For those who are new, she is in a nursing home near us, and she has been diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas and is now on palliative care. (We had stayed away for a little over a week since we both had bad colds, and the nursing home asks that anyone with a "bug" of any kind to PLEASE stay home.... but we were both well enough to go yesterday). She has been taken off all her alzheimer drugs and it is amazing to see how much she has declined. I mention this because of the current discussion about the effectiveness of Aricept. When we got there she was in her bed snoozing. The nurse said she just sleeps a lot and doesn't talk much at all, but she did exchange a few words with her son in Estonian. She still recognizes both of us, she is just VERY sleepy all the time. She does get a dose of pain medication in the morning, but apparently it hasn't worn off even by 3 PM. They also especially allow her to sleep till 9 every day, so she gets a later start. They say she doesn't seem too interested in her food either anymore either, yet they claim she is not in any pain. We asked her and she said no, and she just wanted to go back to sleep, so we stayed with her a while and then quietly left.  SignatureRegards, Evelyn (to reply to me personally, remove 'sox") (((Evelyn))) I know this has got to be harder for you in a different way... When my brother was dying of brain cancer and opted for hospice care at their facility, it was amazing to us how quickly he went downhill. But he was tired of fighting and was ready to die. His only meds were for pain and seizure control, and by his third day there, he became basically comatose. In all honesty, it was a relief to know his suffering had ended... donnah > Hi Friends, > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > she said no, and she just wanted to go back to sleep, so we stayed > with her a while and then quietly left. > (((Evelyn))) > I know this has got to be harder for you in a different way... [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > ended... > donnah Hi Donnah, I can relate. While we were there, one nurse kept trying to urge her to get up...... I told her several times to just let her sleep if she wants to, and the nurse finally left the room. I don't care if she doesn't want to get up or if she doesn't want to eat. Let her do whatever she wants at this time. She should have whatever comfort or peace she can possibly have, never mind anyone trying to rethink it for her. My only prayer for her is a peaceful and painless passing as can possibly be had. It breaks our hearts to see her so lacking in animation like that, but she seems to be seeking peace now.... - Regards, Evelyn (to reply to me personally, remove 'sox") >> Hi Friends, >> [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] >> said no, and she just wanted to go back to sleep, so we stayed with her a >> while and then quietly left. Evelyn, I join you in prayer that she does have that peaceful passing... donnah >> (((Evelyn))) >> I know this has got to be harder for you in a different way... [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] >>> her and she said no, and she just wanted to go back to sleep, so >>> we stayed with her a while and then quietly left. (((((Evelyn)))) I can relate....Dad is doing nothing but laying in bed...I hate it when the nurses and aides try to make him get up when he doesnt want to.....I asked him if he is in pain and he says no...so leave him alone I say....about the loving deception thing when he asks where he is I tell him in his apartment....then he says Oh Ok....I am thinking he is just weak as the leukemia may be worsening. Anyone who stays in bed most of the time should be watched carefully for bed sores. Been there, done that! Gwen > (((((Evelyn)))) I can relate....Dad is doing nothing but laying in > bed...I hate it when the nurses and aides try to make him get up when he > doesnt want to.....I asked him if he is in pain and he says no...so > leave him alone I say....about the loving deception thing when he asks > where he is I tell him in his apartment....then he says Oh Ok....I am > thinking he is just weak as the leukemia may be worsening. > Anyone who stays in bed most of the time should be watched carefully for bed > sores. That's one reason why nursing staff try to get the patients that can get out of bed up and out! If sores are a danger, there are air mattresses with alterating chambers and a pump that inflates and deflates the chambers alternately, to help prevent sores. They put one in my mom's bed the morning of the day she died, since we had no idea if she would last a day or a week. > (((((Evelyn)))) I can relate....Dad is doing nothing but laying in > bed...I hate it when the nurses and aides try to make him get up when he > doesnt want to.....I asked him if he is in pain and he says no...so > leave him alone I say....about the loving deception thing when he asks > where he is I tell him in his apartment....then he says Oh Ok....I am > thinking he is just weak as the leukemia may be worsening. It is so sad sometimes, but I am just happy that she isn't in any pain that anyone can determine. I don't know how long she will be that way.... the stent they put in the bile duct is apparently still doing its job. SignatureRegards, Evelyn (to reply to me personally, remove 'sox") > It is so sad sometimes, but I am just happy that she isn't in any pain that > anyone can determine. I don't know how long she will be that way.... the > stent they put in the bile duct is apparently still doing its job. Evelyn, so glad to hear that Ida isn't in any pain. These next weeks can be so difficult for you and Peter. If you haven't already, be sure to read the links in the FAQ (for the newsgroup) under "End Stages", the ones labeled "Crossing the Creek" and "Death- What to Expect"- they were both an enormous help to me as my mom was making her transition. I learned more from these links about the dying process than hospice ever prepared me for. The need for the dying to sleep a lot is an important part of their preparation for death. And Ida's need for you to just "be with her" (not necessarily interact) is important as well. Keeping you all in my thoughts, Lynn >> It is so sad sometimes, but I am just happy that she isn't in any pain >> that [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > need for you to just "be with her" (not necessarily interact) is > important as well. Keeping you all in my thoughts, Lynn Thanks so much, Lynn. SignatureRegards, Evelyn (to reply to me personally, remove 'sox") |
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