How much longer…..husband with terminal care on syringe driver?

My hubby was on a syringe driver as soon as he was diagnosed with oesophagus cancer last August as he was unable to swallow tablets. He only had about 2weeks break from it when he had a stent fitted but the stent slipped & he went back onto the driver & stayed on it untill he passed away 3 months later. The palliative nurse increased his dose of morphine & it kept getting increased..he was also had top ups of oramorph hourly i & liquid paracetamol if needed. The district nurses were fantastic always arrived before the driver run out..that changed when he ended up back in hospital..they were forever letting the morphine rum out & he didnt get his hourly oramorph.or paracetamol. Try & keep him at home for as long as you can under the care of the district nurses as he wont get the same quality of care in hospital. If you havent got a palliative nurse ask to be referred. They will come to your home & they can tweak his meds  if needed & also get you aids to help keep him comfortable whilst he is at home. 

Hi littlemermaid, sorry you are going through this, it is both heartbreaking and exhausting as you said.

Once my husband became agitated and stopped eating and drinking, and the syringe driver went in, ( in his agitation he pulled it out) he only had 24 hours. His palliative care team said he might have days so there is no definites and sme people will be up and down for a little while. Can you ask the palliative care nurses what they think? My husband died at home and his care team were amazing in those last hours but in the end it was very quick. Every case is different so just be there, hold his hand, tell him how much you love him.

Keep talking here, it helps

Thank you so much for taking time to reach out Malengwa. I hope it won’t be too long as it’s heartbreaking to watch him die yet I don’t want to lose him…… 

Thank you for taking time to reach out. I’m hoping he can stay at home as we’re managing well. I hope that it won’t be long as it’s heartbreaking. Best wishes 

My husband entered hospice care today He is sleeping which I'm glad about as when he is awake he is confused He has fought.so hard fior 10 years bladder cancer Merkel cell carcinoma ureter cancer immunotherapy chemo hos body has had enough I met ho

 on 14th May 1966 and he has been my stength abd support I'm heartbroken but I have to be strong Sending love to.all carers xx

My husband died on our local hospice at 8 45 yesterday evening after a 4 day  stay He was exactly as you described your husband He passed peacefully as the hospice finally got his meds under control So after 10 years it's time to leave the group Thank you for your support John fought long and hard and I am so proud of him 

Hi Wilbert

So sorry to read this but Im gjad he was in the hospice and was peaceful at the end.

Your head and body will be all over the place, i hope you have people around you, im sure the hospice will continue to support you.

I never really left this group but many of us move onto the bereaved spouse group. We are a friendly and supportive bunch. If and when you are ready, pop along and say hello. We all get it over there

Hugs for you xx

Hospice care is the very best care you can have. They are also there for you as the spouse. My hubby only managed to get in 38 hrs before he died but they have kept in touch with me since & I have been offered bereavement counselling if & when I need it. There should be more hospices & they should get funding from the government for the fantastic work they do.

I'm currently in the same position with my mum. She had a short stay in hospice over Christmas but has decided she wants to stay at home. She's hardly eating anything and has lost so much weight. She's becoming more confused and I hate to see her like this. There have been occasions when we've thought that she doesn't have long left and then she rallies (She's a very strong willed woman). I'm on an emotional rollercoaster atm and as I'm still working, it's physically exhausting. Mum reached her 80th birthday last week and at Christmas I didn't think she would've. I'm grateful for that. Keep strong and reach out to friends if you can 

 My husband's hospice care was sadly lacking unfortunately