A week ago my 87 year old mum was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. It came out of the blue and knocked us all for six. The Dr talked about a bronchoscopy but they decided against it because her sats are so low she is on 60%oxygen. All we want to do is get her home and make the limited time she has as happy as possible.
I should say she is a retired nurse and myself and my daughter are also nurses. No-one has talked to us about what happens next. She is due to come home on Monday and as yet we have not had the oxygen delivered or the ambulance assessment. The ambulance say they have to do this because she lives in a first floor flat and on high oxygen level.
She is already becoming depressed because of the attitude ofsome of the staff and there is a very difficult patient in the ward. She has gone from a strong woman to a frighten frail old lady in a week.
I know things are going to be difficult. The discharge team have been brilliant sorting out a care package for her discharge. I just wish the clinical staff were more helpful. I have seen this happen so many times but this is my mum!!!
Hi
Sorry to read this, though I just wish I could say this is a rare occurrence but as you note yourself it is not. It does seem everyone knows the massive gap between hospital care and that in the community. There did seem some promise that some serious thought were being given to this be the government adding "social care" or the responsibilities of the minister of health but of course with covid that has not make as much progress as we might like.
Hopefully you are aware of needs assessments and also a carers assessment. I am sure you are aware too of the massive pressures on NHS staff and the wonders of the media with their stories of "bed blockers".
Wish I had a magic wand to help more.
<<hugs>>
Steve
