blocked stent

Hello simplicity

Sorry you have had no response to your question, it is difficult for me personally to be able to respond effectively as my husband never had a stent fitted.

I would have hoped that your Mum's oncologist would have been able to answer the questions that you have, I know though we are not always in touch with them and the frustrations we feel at being so helpless at times like this boil over.

I am never sure why people are not offered any treatment, obviously the medical world knows better than I do, even though I know from personal experience that the treatment offered for cancer is not always beneficial, it's hard to watch our loved ones struggle or suffer.

How is mum doing now?

Lowe'

Hi Lowe

Thank you for your reply.

We are a week on and mum is still in.  She is now medically fit for discharge but  red tape with providing care at home is holding this up.   its an absolute nightmare out there i just feel we are going around in circles.  

We have a lovely Upper GI Macmillan Nurse who has visited mum on the ward.  No answers to why she wasn't able to tolerate diet after the stent cleared, there was talk that the tumour had grown.  Mum is now able to tolerate a very small intake of level 3 diet only, which is good.

Lets hope that tomorrow brings more positive news for us all.

Thank you once again

How are things now simplicity?

Is Mum home?

Lowe'

Hi Lowe

Things are not good im afraid.

We finally got mum home as the O/T assessed her as independent which was rubbish but thats another story.  Home care would have taken up to 2 weeks to start so her mental health would have dipped even more while waiting in hospital so it was easier to get her home and sort private care with support from us in the mean time (2 weeks)

She is now frail and exhausted.  Anxiety levels are sky high.

It is so difficult watching someone you love and care about starving to death.   How do you reply when she says "Im frightened"

Thanks for your email  

Simplicity

I am truly sorry to read this, especially that Mum is now frail and exhausted, it must be so frightening for all of you.

Thankful that you have managed to get some care support, have you considered contacting your local hospice, they have so many avenues of support that they may be able to offer something for Mum, home support or something? I know one of our other forum contributors was a great advocate for the hospice support teams.

I have been in a similar position to you with a loved one, and I understand how difficult the comments like, I'm frightened' are. The best you can do is listen, empathise and maybe even say the same "I am frightened too" 

Thinking of you all and sending strength.

Lowe'

Hi Lowe

thanks for your continued support.

we have hospice at home st Barnabas nurse involved with mums care. 

even though she is frail she is not classed as the sickest person on their books I believe.

Yesterday was a bad day she has the most horrendous reflux and constant dribbling of what she describes as water coming back. Is reluctant to eat and we struggle to get her to drink. 

Unable to get review by palliative nurse therefore D/N rang her and have now organised some patches to help dry secretions up. We have to go through a huge amount of phone calls to get to where we would like to be.

I have read a few posts on here and can see that many people feel that they are being forgotten at times, I’ve felt like this but then I think that there are people out there who are Poorlier than mum and the health care professionals are so stretched. 

It is still really hard to watch someone starve to death 

thanks again 

I hope things are starting to settle in some ways now, I know that every day is different and sometimes they are not so good..

Just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you both.

Take care, and I am here if you want to chat at all.

Lowe'

Hi Lowe

patches made mum extremely unwell so discontinued.

Last Monday mum was fast tracked for end of life. The st Barnabas hospice at home team are the most incredible supportive nurses that I have ever met. They worked so hard to ensure mum was comfortable in her last week of life. Mum had some very distressing symptoms but we are glad to say she was very peaceful and settled when she sadly passed away yesterday morning.

Today is the beginning of a very difficult journey for us all.

thanks for your support 

louise

Dear Louise

My deepest condolences  

At least as you say, Mum was settled and peaceful at the time of her passing.

The difficult days ahead will be full of memories, both happy and sad, there is no knowing when either will appear, sending you strength .. 

Here as always if you need a stranger to scream at x

Lowe'