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Elderly parents
Original poster

Deteriorating again in hospital

182 replies

Theas18 · 11/01/2015 18:32

Argh.
Mum was ok on fri having gone in xmas eve. Plans afoot to get her back on wafarin after the weeken and home ASAP.

Yesterday coughing lots and mysteriously on oxygen. Sta,paed my foot a bit and insisted on seeing a doc. What point is " they'll be here Monday " ? No that not ok. She's not okNOW ! Anyway. Seen and xrayed " don't think its infection ".... Yeah right

Today she's much worse. Away with the faries ( not her at all) scrabbling at the bedding etc. Had oral antibiotic at 3pm but thatsnt going to work fast enough is it? Awaiting more bloods and another doc review.

Darent leave. :(

OP posts:
ChristmasHiccups · 11/01/2015 23:59

Yay :)

Needmoresleep · 12/01/2015 06:39

I hope that you both got a good nights sleep and that things have started to improve. Thoughts are with you and your poor mum.

Original poster
Theas18 · 12/01/2015 16:53

Thanks for all the support. I'm ignoring the chat thread now as people think I'm being mean to the junior docs. I'm not. I know they are working under hellish pressures. However if I as a gp sent a patient like mum in as new admission I'd be hugely annoyed and probably would complain if it took 9hrs from her arriving in hospital to getting iv antibiotics so I'm not sure how it's different just because she's sittibg quietly and uncomplainingly on a ward.

IV treatment is magic of course. She's now talking sense and has shuffled to the loo nearly as well as Saturday with her zimmer. Last night she was taking 2 to get her on a commode. She's even drinking Her fortisip !

No out of the woods of course but dodged this bullet at the moment.

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twentyten · 12/01/2015 17:38

So pleased to hear. Well done. ThanksThanksThanks

2015herewego · 12/01/2015 21:02

So pleased to here you got this sorted - what an ordeal for your mum and you.

Viewofthehills · 12/01/2015 21:27

Very happy to hear that. Hope she continues to improve.

VivaLeBeaver · 12/01/2015 21:40

Pleased she's improving.

Clobbered · 12/01/2015 21:49

Just read this. I despair of the NHS. Several recent instances of poor treatment of members of my family, only obviated by my own knowledge and pushiness (diagnosed my own ankle fracture on Christmas Day while being told it was just a sprain - I could see the Xray from the trolley…..) I feel so sorry for people who don't have any medical knowledge or lack the stamina to push for what is right.
Hope your Mum is OK now.
FWIW clotting tends to go off with sepsis, doesn't it, along with everything else, renal function etc? (Disclaimer - not done any acute medicine in over 10 years….)

TendonQueen · 12/01/2015 22:30

Do still consider contacting PALS at the hospital and discussing this with them so that they can look for ways of avoiding this another time. I know a lot of the delays can be put down to staff shortages but it shouldn't just be assumed that it's all about that and that no improvements can be made to manage the situation a little better. Pleased your mum is improving.

examnewbie · 13/01/2015 20:50

How is your Mum today?

Original poster
Theas18 · 13/01/2015 23:01

How is she today ?
Thanks for asking - DH hasnt..... But then again he's trying to sort my tax I guess....

She's not brilliant - I couldn't understand her on th phone earlier except that she's not feeling well but hasn't said anything to anyone ( grr!). Fortunately this was mid afternoon and I caught the very nice doc from her team hat I spoke to yesterday. She discussed all her bloods - which were not really any worse, and promised to check her before she left.

Dads respite called - they are in lock down again with d&v but he's ok at the moment!

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Original poster
Theas18 · 14/01/2015 13:17

Going over again today. she's still on and off confused but was making sense on the phone just about.

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examnewbie · 14/01/2015 20:06

would iv have kicked in properly by now or is it too early?

Original poster
Theas18 · 14/01/2015 20:56

Newbie - yes the abs should be working now.

Visited today. Still on oxygen and not looking well at all - v breathless and tired. Has had transfusion etc but we did a DNAR. Looks like she doesn't have the cardiac or renal reserve to get better maybe :(

I've let the big kids know and they are hoping to see her fri from uni. Hope ive done the right thing- they have deadlines and exams.... But I felt had yo tell them she wasn't at all well and give them the choice. At times like this it's amazing they are in the same place and only a short direct train away from mum.

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examnewbie · 14/01/2015 21:04

I am sorry to hear this. Is there anything else they can do to hope for improvement. I am not a medic but would they be doing anything different in an ICU setting in the hope that her body may mend? e.g. fluids, other drugs, constant oxygen?

Original poster
Theas18 · 14/01/2015 21:29

I think sadly she has so little reserve that an icu setting wouldn't be the right thing. She may rally but we're in a hope for the best prepare for the worst situation.
Dad is a complicating factor. He's locked in respite because of d&v on the unit. Mind you I don't know if him seeing her really poorly is helpful or not (he has dementia - not severe but such that is not ok at home alone for more than maybe 30 mins and asked several times as we were leaving hospital " what place is this and why am I here").

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twentyten · 14/01/2015 21:33

So sorry. Hope you feel happier about her care. Would you consider a hospice or could she not be moved?

MrsMcGregor · 14/01/2015 21:42

Oh no, I'm really sorry. Had hoped you would have had more positive news. For what it's worth, I think you have done the right thing in telling older DC. Feel for your Dad too. Do you think he might be able to visit? Hoping that she will surprise you all and rally round again.

Original poster
Theas18 · 14/01/2015 22:02

Twenty ten I don't think we are quite at that point yet - I think she'll either rally or steadily deteriorate- if she rallies i plan to get her home ASAP with as much support as poss then get dad home, and get a palliative plan in place maybe.

I do trust the ward doc- she's lovely and on the ball. I called yesterday and couldn't make out what mum was saying other than she felt dreadful and hadn't told anyone. Rang the ward direct and asked to speak to a doc, she told me mums bloods and that she'd check on her straight away.

If dad is allowed out I will take him over.

This is so hard.

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MrsMcGregor · 14/01/2015 22:06

It is really hard for you. I hope you can get them both home. Meantime, make sure that you remember to eat and sleep .... and chill out with a bit of HD!

Original poster
Theas18 · 14/01/2015 22:16

HD is my saviour ! A little mindless stress free time with friends. What is there not to love :)

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Jellibelli · 15/01/2015 09:27

Found you at last! Didnt like to ask on HD and bring your DD with me...

I am sorry it's been such a roller coaster, you must be exhausted. I have no medical knowledge and, thankfully, little exposure to the workings (or not) of NHS and hospitals so have nothing wise to say, but just wanted to offer moral support and positive thoughts to you all.

Try to make yourself a bit of a priority when you can,
Best wishes JB

Original poster
Theas18 · 15/01/2015 10:49

Thanks jelli. I am exhausted and still juggling work and everything.

Mums still hanging in there but not getting any better this am really. Dad not more confused too :( I'm assuming its all the changes but the GP is seeing him to look for infection. I really don't want them to send him back.

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whataboutbob · 15/01/2015 11:34

Just read this Thea well done for fighting for your mum. And well done for getting out of chat. After being bullied and insulted on there a couple of times I have decided it's strictly for bullies, and masochists.
Hope your Dad rallies round.

twentyten · 15/01/2015 12:26

Sorry to hear this thea- please try and look after yourself too. This sounds like it will be a long journey and you need to keep something in the tank. Do you have support ie cleaner etc at home to lift a bit of the load? Please take care