Hello All.
My mother has been ill for quite a long while now - COPD, heart disease, arthritis. A couple of years ago her legs started to fill with fluid and break out in ulcers and to cut a long story short she has been housebound for a year or more now. She had Hodgkins Lymphoma when she was in her mid 40's which was treated with chemo and she went into remission. She is now 78.
Last week her doctor told her that they've been doing Liver Function Tests as part of her regular blood testing - the district nurses who dress her legs (pretty much every day now) take the blood to check for infections in her legs which are now quite regular. Her bile ducts are blocked according to the blood tests and as she had her gall bladder removed in her 20's they strongly suspect that it's Cancer (there were other blood tests that indicated this too evidently). They've asked Mum to go for an ultrasound and she's flatly refused. She's had so many tests over the last few years that a few months ago she'd told me she's had enough and she's not having any more poking and prodding around.
I know she's had enough - and I absolutely respect that. I have said to her that if they know what they are dealing with then they will know how to keep her comfortable during what remains of her life - but she will not have it.
I have spoken to her GP - a joint phone call with Mum present, and also alone. He wants to come out and do a home visit - with me present. I haven't pushed this with Mum - although I did mention it to her.
I lost my father to Liver Cancer (was secondary to his lung cancer - but it was the liver cancer that killed him) 18 years ago. So this isn't my first time round the block. But I just wanted to connect with others who are trying to support their parents.
Big love to you all x
