I am caring for my mother in law who is 88 and was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in her bladder 2023. Due to her general health and mobility, she was advised they would be carrying out surveillance, as she wouldn't be able to tolerate the usual treatments.
Since then, she has had regular cystoscopy's and a couple of TURBT/bladder flush operations. In December 25, the hospital advised due to her worsening mobility, (needing a hip replacement) urology were stopping the surveillance. We were told they would give comfort care, consisting of flushing the bladder should blood clots block her urethra, and radiotherapy to stem excessive bleeding in the bladder if needed.
Since the meeting, mum is so scared and has stopped 'living'. This is so hard for us to watch as she was such a strong person. We lost her husband of 62 yrs, NYE 22, he had kidney cancer for 20 yrs and he went that long as she wouldn't let him give up!
She has had recurrent UTI's every six weeks, last one being Easter, which knocked her for six. The GP has given her a daily antibiotic now, which seems to be helping. Her carers have been increased to three times a day as she is urine incontinent and finds it difficult to stand for long to make her meals. She sleeps in her riser recliner as she cannot get into bed because of her hip and she is worried about falling getting out to change herself in the night.
Currently she is just sitting waiting for blood in her urine, which there was yesterday. Just a couple of streaks. But now she has taken a downward turn as she sees this as 'the end'. We don't know what to do or where to turn for what to expect moving forward. Will these symptoms last for weeks, months or years?
Hopefully, there will be someone who has been through a similar experience who can help??
