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I'm a Regular who Needs to Vent Undercover about MY STUPID BLOODY FATHER WHO HAS A DEATHWISH

49 replies

HeReallyIsAPillock · 05/03/2006 21:46

Know one or two rl people who use mumsnet and want to keep this separate, but need to SCREAM somewhere.
My Dad (early 70's) is usually extremely active (still works full time) has been really ill since Thurs. Unable to get out of bed, except to shuffle to toilet, bouts of extreme abdominal pain and is very weak, shakes a lot if he exherts himself.
My sister rang me early yesterday to tell me he was bad (first I'd heard) - I said I would go over immediately which I did.
he was clearly very unwell, weak and in significant pain at times when he moved. We asked him to come to A&E, we then pleaded, shouted, all to no avail.
I told him I was ringing an ambulance, he said if I did he would refuse to go in it, he would be ok and would see his GP Monday (tomorrow).
I decided to ring the out of hours GP service (much to Dad's annoyance) and a GP came out. On initial discussions with Dad, he didn't seem too concerned, except that Dad had had no bowel movement for 6 days.
Doctor then said he wanted to examine Dad down below (I left room, but listened in). Doctor discovered very large swelling of Dad's left testicle and area above it, all very painful to the touch. Doctor asks how long had it been like this, Dad says a couple of years (WTF!!!!!!!!).
Doctor says he needs to go to hospital immediately in an ambulance as he suspects it may be a hernia which is strangulating his bowel, which could burst at any time.
Dad point blank refuses to go. Obviously Dr cannot force him. Dr tells me if there is any way we can get him to see sense, then call 999 immediately.
Me, my sister, my brother, my dh, my bil, all try to make him see sense.
My dh rings an ambulance anyway.
2 paramedics spent half an hour trying to persuade him to go with them - they laid it on the line ie, if the bowel bursts he would be dead in minutes.
Ambulance crew too had to admit defeat.
My sil's baby is due in a couple of days, my brother is furious with my father.
I am so angry, anxious and utterly stressed out by it all. We all are.
STUPID TOSSER

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egocentriczebra · 05/03/2006 21:49

why won't your dad go get it looked at? what's he afraid of?

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starlover · 05/03/2006 21:49

oh no! poor you :( I can't even begin to imagine how frustrating and scary it must be for you

has he said why he doesn't want to go?

could you secretly drug him and get him there????

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HappyMumof2 · 05/03/2006 21:51

this must be awful for you Sad

I know you are really, really annoyed at him but he must be very frightened of something, bless him Sad

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beetroot · 05/03/2006 21:51

god you poor things.

Has he said why he will not go?

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HeReallyIsAPillock · 05/03/2006 21:54

He said he didn't want to go on a Saturday and sit in A&E for ages.

We explained that he would be bypassing all of that as the out of hours GP service had set up him being referred immediately to a surgeon to be looked at.

This was explained a number if times.

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starlover · 05/03/2006 21:56

maybe that's just an excuse and there is another reason that he isn't telling you?

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HappyMumof2 · 05/03/2006 21:56

he's obviously just saying that, as an excuse. He's scared, isn't he?
God, how frustrating for you.
Is there one of you who can normally talk sense into him? Maybe one person alone might do the trick......

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chapsmum · 05/03/2006 21:57

I had a similar problem when my dad had chest pain.

Sorry if this is patronising in any way I really dont mean it to be, but my dad was sh*t scared because although the pain was serious to him ti would have been real if he had gone to hospital. IE he would have had to admit to himself there will be a problem.

You could put it to him that should he ever loose consciousness you as next of kin have power of atourney and medical professional would have no choice but to take him and do what is nessesary in his best interest so either way he will end up in hospita.

If you want find out what he is afraid of and if it would help can give you my email address if you think I could offer any more advice, Am usually pretty good at coaxing people into hospital!

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HeReallyIsAPillock · 05/03/2006 21:57

Obviously he has tried to ignore the problem, hoping it would go away. I understand how he would feel like this, especially as its to do with his nether regions, but to refuse to act on the advice of doctors and paramedics is appalling.

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chapsmum · 05/03/2006 21:59

it really is amazing what fear does, I find especially in older peole the strangest things will stop them going in to hosp, ususally becase they fear that they will lose controll of the situation

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HeReallyIsAPillock · 05/03/2006 21:59

usually I am the one who is able to get him to see sense - I managed it a few months ago when he had a fairly serious accident which initially he ignored and then I managed to get him to come to A&E.

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chapsmum · 05/03/2006 22:00

has he passed urine recently?

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chapsmum · 05/03/2006 22:00

has he passed urine recently?

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Aero · 05/03/2006 22:00

I'm so sorry he's being so stubborn - how worrying and frustrating for you. Sad

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starlover · 05/03/2006 22:01

he has a choice... he either goes willingly and has a say in what happens

or he gets worse and has to be taken in and have other people decide what happens...

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Aero · 05/03/2006 22:02

Agree with cm, that fear may well have a huge part to play in his stubbornness (is that a word?).

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HeReallyIsAPillock · 05/03/2006 22:02

He's been having problems with passing water for a few months - going to the loo a lot and problems with continence at night. tried to get him to talk to his gp about it, but he didn't, so whatever has been going on has reached crisis stage.

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chapsmum · 05/03/2006 22:03

Doe the GP think this is a urinary retention problem?

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HeReallyIsAPillock · 05/03/2006 22:05

no chapsmum, gp definitely suspects part of bowel is strangulating, but said it could be affecting other things in the area. Was very concerned at the size of the swellings.

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Blu · 05/03/2006 22:11

Who will be with him overnight tonight?

I really feel for you, and am keeping fingers crossd that he gets help before it gets any worse.

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chapsmum · 05/03/2006 22:12

ok, I think the paramedics were probably exaggerating, dont get me wrong it will kill if left untreated but you would have a small window of oppertunity.

Here's the best course of action, give him space for a few mins. Let him be on his own in his own space

Just you Go in CALMLY. ask him if he wants to die.
calmly expain to him that this condition could very well kill him.
Ask him if he want to see his new grandchild.

Ask him what he would want you to do.

Be very calm and methodical, help him to feel empowered to make this decision for his own health for the quality of the life he may ahve and for you and your family.

the most important thing you can do is give him the power back to make the frightening decision.

Be factual, you will die, you can chose to die here in agony or the drs can sort you out and take the pain away so that you can see your new grand child.

Do not get to emotional, he need to feel in control

Really hope this helps

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HeReallyIsAPillock · 05/03/2006 22:19

It's sound advice chapsmum, and it's pretty much what I said to him today.

He admitted that he was wrong not to go in the ambulance yesterday, but said he would do the same again today if I called one Sad. Is adamant that he will sort it all out tomorrow.

Blu - he's on his own - didn't want anyone to stay. My sister lives about 8 houses away and we have charged his mobile and put it by the bed.

I understand if he is scared, but he really is putting himself and us through the mill.

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Blu · 05/03/2006 22:24

Very hard.
Hopefully if he can get to the GP first thing tomorrow, the GP wil refer him immediately to hospital. The out of hours Dr will have faxed a report, anyway, which might tip the GP off.

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chapsmum · 05/03/2006 22:38

REally am here if you need me.

The only thing I could add is that he can shorten his hospetal stay by going in earlier. If he thinks that perforation is his only problem he is wrong, a strangulated hernis means that the blood supply to part of the bowel has bben cut. Even if it does not perforate it came become infected and very quickly cause blood poisening. If he acts now he could potentially avoid not only this but having a colostomy for the rest of his life.

Also you can assure him that no one will be annoyed or say I told you so for not going sooner. Again I really hope this helps

my eamil if you want a chat is

dollyburd12 at hotmail dot com

good luck to all of you

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beetroot · 06/03/2006 07:55

I hope you have more success today. Have been thinkjng a bout you.

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