Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Elderly parents

Blind DF with covid/pneumonia in hospital - oxygen weaning

6 replies

chronictonic · 06/01/2023 09:54

Elderly (80) DF has ended up in hospital with Covid/Pneumonia.

He's blind, with some short term memory loss, so we have managed to be able to stay with him at all times as he needs constant care and 'eyes on'. Otherwise he'll keep removing his oxygen and IV etc thinking he's at home.
The hospital have been really understanding and he's in a side room.

He used to be really fit and strong but in the last few years has undergone radiotherapy and become weaker.

Having thought we were going to lose him on the first night, and been told to prepare for that, he has made a lot of progress and is now eating, drinking & on 4 litres on oxygen. It's day 5.

I suppose I just want a bit of a hand hold, and to know if anyone else has been through similar with any elderly relatives and how their recovery went?
For the moment, he is so reliant on oxygen, I can't see him coming some for a while and that really worries me. He's not getting much real rest as he is constantly obsessing over his position in the bed, and readjusting himself, and taking of his nasal tube etc.

Having just lost both my In Laws in the last 2 months, and seen how quickly they deteriorated in hospital, I am so conscious of how things can go. Not to mention the toll it's taking on my DM with the shifts shared with me and DB on being with him all the time.

OP posts:
WanderleyWagon · 06/01/2023 17:55

I didn't want to read and run. I don't have anything helpful to offer, I'm afraid, but sending a handhold and hoping you get more knowledgeable advice on here soon.

chronictonic · 06/01/2023 22:13

WanderleyWagon · 06/01/2023 17:55

I didn't want to read and run. I don't have anything helpful to offer, I'm afraid, but sending a handhold and hoping you get more knowledgeable advice on here soon.

Thank you x

OP posts:
Persephonegoddess · 06/01/2023 22:16

My mums first hospital stay like this was over ten years before she passed. She was not blind but had other challenges.
With all your support you and him can get through this. Unmunsnet hug

gingerhamster · 09/01/2023 17:32

I'm going through this with my DF at the moment, his is flu plus pneumonia, he was only admitted last night though. He seems to be responding to the antibiotics so far but it's early days. How's your DF doing?

PermanentTemporary · 09/01/2023 22:07

How's he getting on?

They'll be constantly trying to get that oxygen down, maybe it already is?

chronictonic · 10/01/2023 13:23

So sorry to hear you're in a similar situation @gingerhamster
I wish him a swift recovery.

Hopefully this offers you some comfort:
I'm sitting in hospital with him right now, awaiting discharge.

He was weaned off Oxygen over the weekend and on Monday. Antibiotics have obviously done their job but the respiratory Physios were also absolutely integral to his recovery. They worked with him and his breathing to clear lots of fluid from him fluid and we literally saw his SATs improve with every visit from them. He also was able to swallow finally by day 4, with help from the SALT team.

Thanks everyone for your input & support and again @gingerhamster - I really wish you and your Dad all the best. Please don't hesitate to ask me anything, I've learnt a huge amount and am happy to share xx

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page