How long until she can eat/drink?

[Meruem]

My mum was taken into hospital early hours of Monday with a blockage in her bowel which was causing extreme pain. She's mid 70's. As they were planning to operate she wasn't allowed to eat or drink. But then they apparently decided not to operate yet as they discovered she has a chest infection and some fluid on the lungs. Now they're saying that "maybe" the blockage is resolving itself so the op is on hold. It's now Thursday and she's had nothing to eat/drink, other than a damp sponge for her mouth, since Monday evening. She is getting really distressed about this. We're not allowed to visit due to Covid and the hospital are being a bit vague on the phone. We're only getting the odd text from my mum as she is struggling. Not sure what to do! How long can they keep her in this situation?

I assume she is on a drip... I was on a drip and nil by mouth for 5 days waiting for my appendix to be taken out. It wasn't fun, and admittedly I was in my 20s and otherwise well, but they didn't seem to think 5 days was cause for concern.

They said I wouldn't be hungry because of the drip. I definitely was, and would have killed someone for a sandwich.

I hope your mum recovers enough to start eating soon.

Thanks for your reply. I think maybe then tomorrow I will try and push for more info on what the plan is.

I think it's the no drinking getting to her more. She's always been quite a thirsty person, often waking in the night for a drink of water even. She's also the type to work herself up and then feel worse. She texted Dsis that she thinks they are going to just "let her die"! It's so hard when you can't just go to the hospital and speak to someone in person.

Maybe they dont want her eating so that it rests her bowels. The surgeon should be able to tell her what they think is best. Can you speak to the nurse and ask why she is still nil by mouth and if she is on iv fluids.

If your mum agrees then you can call PALS and ask them to try and find out a bit more.

It is possible that after further evaluation doctors have decided she is not a candidate for surgery and the only feasible option for recovery is to rest the bowel and hope the obstruction resolves. Does she has a nasogastric tube in?

It all comes down to if she's on a drip because if so then they can hang on in there very well indeed I've found. I assume she is. If not, see about getting her out of there as in that case The End surely won't be long, esp if no nasogastric tube too.
Be happy that there is no Indian summer this week and it's rainy weather as that makes a difference to the ward temperature.
You could be in contact with the SALT team who are I've found good at what she can drink or not and ways of moisturising the mouth, though it sounds like she might aspiration pneumonia and means antibiotics and strictly no food or drink orally for a couple of days at least I think. A mistake in this area (having food go down the wrong way) and it's curtains.

Well I’ve spoken to the hospital again, they called me. They are now going ahead with the op. He said that they won’t know how invasive the surgery needs to be until they start. He said that after that, she will either go back to the ward, or ICU if the op is more serious. He also explained the chest infection was due to her vomiting earlier in the week and some of it going to her lungs. So from what you’ve all said, it makes more sense now why she’s not been allowed to eat or drink.

This all feels very strange to me as up until this she was pretty healthy. No medical issues, ongoing medication or anything. She has full mobility. So all of this medical stuff is going a little over my head. I did ask how worried I should be, which is obviously a difficult question for them to answer! As it seemed pretty minor when she first went in to seemingly more serious now. They said she’s fitter and younger than most patients they do this op on then, “but she is in her 70’s” so I don’t know. She is 72 as opposed to late 70s though.

Meruem
Goodness, no wonder you were worried, usually you can grab a nurse or doctor when you visit on the ward but not during Covid times

I hope it all went well and that Mum is more comfortable now