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Original poster

What is happening with my Father in Law in hospital?

34 replies

DollyPoxo · 26/08/2021 23:38

84 year old FIL has been treated for congestive heart failure for about 10+ years. He also has what looks like arthritis in his spine and has suffered with back pain for a year or two. Also had gout previously. About 2 weeks ago, Mother in Law rang to say Father in law was struggling to get in and out of bed and was sleeping in his chair as a result. His stomach was swollen also. We got an emergency intervention team out and Physio and DN assessed him and got him a hospital bed. Two days later DN got him admitted to hospital due to fact that his stomach was so swollen and knee too. He has been in hospital for over a week now. No one can visit due to Covid.
Since he has been in hospital, he hasn't been out of bed and is in a lot of pain. He says stomach still swollen. No assessment by O T and Physio. Doctors say they are focusing on trying to sort medical condition.
I can't help wondering if he is dying with no one even allowed to visit. He is quite confused due to amount of pain medication.
Do you think we should perhaps be pushing Doctors to let us visit if he is on his way out. We feel helpless and desperately worried about him being all alone in hospital.

OP posts:
Flumo · 30/08/2021 13:13

I work in a hospital and sometimes talking to the nurse that is caring for the patient rather than the doctor is better for a more personal feel, they will be able to tell you how he is in himself as they are the ones who sees your father in law rather than the doctors who probably only see him once in 2-3 days. If they thought he was dying they would be letting you know though and arranging to let you visit ❤

Original poster
DollyPoxo · 30/08/2021 17:10

@myheartskippedabeat.
Thank you for asking! Things have improved and the outlook seems far less bleak. After over a week in hospital they have started getting him out of bed! Apparently it takes 2 people to do it, but it's a start. They think that he will need another 5 days to stabilise his medical condition after which they intend to send him to a Rehab unit. Things are definitely looking up!

OP posts:
iamprobablynotyourcupoftea · 30/08/2021 17:14

That must be so scary for you all.
No advice really. Just sending hugs. BrewThanks

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Original poster
DollyPoxo · 30/08/2021 17:15

@Flumo

I work in a hospital and sometimes talking to the nurse that is caring for the patient rather than the doctor is better for a more personal feel, they will be able to tell you how he is in himself as they are the ones who sees your father in law rather than the doctors who probably only see him once in 2-3 days. If they thought he was dying they would be letting you know though and arranging to let you visit ❤
Great idea about speaking with the nurses caring for FIL. Thank you 😊

You are right in that FIL is thankfully making some progress now. They have started to get him out of bed. OTs have assessed him. They think it will take about 5 more days to stabilise his medical condition and then they plan to send him to a Rehab unit.

OP posts:
Original poster
DollyPoxo · 30/08/2021 17:16

@iamprobablynotyourcupoftea

That must be so scary for you all. No advice really. Just sending hugs. BrewThanks
Thank you for the kind words xxx
OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 30/08/2021 17:56

I was born in GH, it was known as no hope then.

When my fil was in the hdu I can honestly say the care was excellent.

Original poster
DollyPoxo · 30/08/2021 18:25

@Fluffycloudland77

I was born in GH, it was known as no hope then.

When my fil was in the hdu I can honestly say the care was excellent.

Thank you! That is is very reassuring.
OP posts:
HalzTangz · 30/08/2021 18:42

My partner's grandfather (95) is in good hope at the minute after a series of falls, his care has been excellent and his ward have been detailed in answering the questions we have. We also have set times to ring the ward mobile to speak to his grandad directly.

From what I understand terminal patients can still have visitors, so if they aren't allowing you to visit that alone would indicate that they don't think he will die whilst in there

Original poster
DollyPoxo · 30/08/2021 18:54

@HalzTangz

My partner's grandfather (95) is in good hope at the minute after a series of falls, his care has been excellent and his ward have been detailed in answering the questions we have. We also have set times to ring the ward mobile to speak to his grandad directly.

From what I understand terminal patients can still have visitors, so if they aren't allowing you to visit that alone would indicate that they don't think he will die whilst in there

Yes, you are definitely right. The fact we can't visit is hopefully a strong indication that FIL is not deemed to be on his way out.
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