Mom is not doing well at all today. When I spoke with her this morning, she said she had quit taking her medicines – all of them – because they made her vomit. She told me she had a call into the oncologist and was going to tell him he had to do something about the pain. I reminded Mom that she was limiting some of the options for treatment available to her. She said she
might be interested in hospice, but she would not go to a skilled nursing facility. I know it is Stacy and ours’ wishes to grant her wishes but it becomes more difficult to see her deteriorate each day.
The home health nurse visited Mom this afternoon. She spoke with the oncologist who wants Mom to begin receiving IV fluids at home for the next 5 days. She will also receive a multivitamin in the IV. I don’t know that Mom understands the purpose of the IV fluids is to hydrate her. I don’t know what she believes the IV fluids will do for her. The nurse will be there tonight to get the IV set up and going. Stacey will care for the IV during the night. The home health nurse will visit Mom again tomorrow to draw some blood for laboratory tests.
Stacy and I hope to talk with Mom this evening in order to get a better idea of what her wishes are. She commented to Stacy that she realized chemotherapy is out of the question right now. We just don’t know if she just wants the pain to stop; just wants the nausea and vomiting to stop; just wants them both to stop so she can be comfortable; or for them both to stop so she can get
stronger and begin chemotherapy. We just don’t know. Although we are both nurses, we don’t know what her prognosis is at this time.
I would share with you that she truly looks forward to the cards. It is truly
the highlight of her day. And she shares your cards with her visitors.
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