Could things get any worse

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Hi all, it's been a while since I've posted as far too much has happened. 

After years of trying my husband and I welcomed a little girl. A week later my mother, diagnosed with secondary liver cancer who was staying with is and due to start her last offered treatment which was delayed due to jaundice, was admitted to our local hospice. 

A few days before I noticed she was confused, very slow, not really eating, incoherent and I found out she wet herself. She also had a stoma which leaked but she kept refusing I or anyone else help her. Prior to coming back home the hospital arranged a carer in the mornings, my mother didn't want to be a burden and wanted to spend time with her grandchild.

Roughly a week after admission her health declined even further and she was placed on end of life. Roughly a week afterwards she was stable so removed from end of life care. 

Currently she's not earing, hasn't done so for 4 weeks despite the hospice and me giving her everything. She's sipping water when she can manage to hold a beaker or when the staff or guests can help her. 

She can only continue like this for so long and I'm perplexed as to why the hospice won't give her fluids or a feeding tube since she's stable. I want to bring her home and she can come home if she gets a bit stronger but we cannot get her to eat for love nor money.

Her confusion is also concerning as some days she can have a conversation then say something very random and other days she just won't talk. 

Has anyone has a similar experience? I feel her decline was like day amd night and I'm nor sure what to do. its all very hard with a newborn and a mother who is dying. 

I'm just feeling really lost and helpless. 

  • Hi  

    Many years ago when my wife was in hospital in Oxford with our newborn my mum was in hospital in Cambridge and my aunt was in hospital in Stoke Mandeville - I barely knew which way to turn.

    I know how difficult it can be going to end of life and then being removed from that and that just shows how difficult these things can be. 

    Hope you are managing to find some support for you too, it is so hard when we feel pulled in multiple directions at the same time but somehow we get through.

    <<hugs>>

    Steve

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  • Thank you. Yes, I can't be in two places at once and I feel so torn all the time, especially as an only child.

    My in laws have been great thankfully.