DM (74) has been in hospital since Monday with severe dehydration, anaemia, high potassium levels and acute kidney injury.
She has not been well for some time with various conditions but has enjoyed a reasonable quality of life - in her own home and driving.
Over the last few days, she has become increasingly confused, distressed and drowsy which is so difficult to witness as obviously I'm not allowed in to see her. We have had a few Zoom calls but it's not the same.
I've just had a call from a doctor who says that despite various scans and tests they cannot work out what is happening and DM declining. Scans have not shown up anything and feel it may be down to conflicting meds for all her conditions which has put her system out of balance. She has now been taken off of all pre-existing meds.
Out of the blue the doctor then said that as mum 'has a poor quality of life' it was her opinion that a DNR should be put in place although they were still continuing treat and hoped she may pick up.
This is a huge shock to me - the doctor just didnt seem to get that DM actually had a pretty good quality of life before this kicked off, rather she is a frail, very poorly old lady who should be put out of her misery.
I am next of kin, DM is in no state to make her wishes known (although on previous hospital admissions had always been adamant that all reasonable efforts are made to resuscitate, should it need to happen). Can I insist that no such order is put in place, certainly not in the short term?
I am besides myself with worry and that the hospital are just happy to let her slip away. I have been granted a visit, which I know full well the implications of, in these lockdown times.