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Life-limiting illness

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actively dying (sensitive)

74 replies

lessthanBeau · 15/04/2015 17:33

just wanted to post this to give a heads up to other people who may find themselves in this position, if you are looking after someone who has a terminal illness, please research actively dying and terminal agitation, we were so shocked to see my dB go through this phase of dying its very distressing, and we were not prepared for it , if the docs and nurses had told us about this, we would have been able to understand what was happening.
and now after the event I've found out its quite common, I know no one wants to read about this stuff but we just wish we'd known beforehand that dying doesn't always happen peacefully, other people I've spoken to since who have witnessed this also didn't know what was happening so its relatively common that families aren't prepared for it.
I am in no way detracting from the care the nurses and doctors gave my dB they were amazing and they gave him dignity and comfort throughout. I m just saying they won't tell you unless you ask and sometimes you need to do your homework so it can help you deal with what's going on.

I hope I haven't offended or upset anyone with this post, that was far from my intention, good luck and much love to everyone dealing with whatever you're dealing with. xxxThanks

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CuttedUpPear · 20/04/2015 22:53

Thanks for that information.
DF hasn't eaten for nearly two weeks but he is managing to hold a cup and drink from it.
He is on a drip with his antibiotics (he has several infections).

It's clear that the hospital doesn't want to waste time diagnosing him.

I am supposed to be going away on Wednesday but I am dithering over leaving at this point.

Shineyshoes10 · 20/04/2015 23:16

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CuttedUpPear · 21/04/2015 06:30

Shineyshoes you didn't hijack the thread at all, please don't think that.

I would like to talk to my dad's 'team' but I don't think he has one.

He was admitted to the local hospital because he couldn't drink or go to the toilet.
He is now off the ward and in a side room. I'm not sure why - the ward was cardiac, which is not his condition, he has diabetes, but there were no other beds at the time of his admission.

When I ring the ward they tell me that they are not allowed to give me any information about him, and that I have to ask his partner. She is 'protective' of him (from his children, who love and care about him very much) and doesn't give out much info.

She is obstructive about us visiting him and not too clued up about the reality of the situation.

I'm only supposed to be going away til Saturday but I am prepared to cancel it.

mumslife · 21/04/2015 19:02

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CuttedUpPear · 21/04/2015 20:30

I don't know why the hospital won't tell his children how he is getting on.
The last time I called they put me into a panic as they wouldn't discuss his condition over the phone but said I would have to come in (2 hr drive) to find out how he was. So I did, but I can't do that every day.

I am worried that his girlfriend has told them to do this but I don't see why they would obey her if she had.

mumslife · 21/04/2015 20:53

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Shineyshoes10 · 21/04/2015 21:35

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Shineyshoes10 · 21/04/2015 21:44

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mumslife · 21/04/2015 22:06

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Weebirdie · 21/04/2015 22:26

Despite everything DD1 always had a smile. She gave the best hugs. My little ones miss her terribly, she was the perfect big sister. Even if in the last few days I had to explain a few 'naughty' words to my 5y/o's that she directed at us that they've chosen to repeat a few times since!

Thats quite some epitaph Grin

Shineyshoes10 · 21/04/2015 23:25

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mumslife · 22/04/2015 06:58

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Shineyshoes10 · 22/04/2015 10:18

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mumslife · 22/04/2015 17:18

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mumslife · 22/04/2015 17:40

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Shineyshoes10 · 22/04/2015 18:42

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SugarMiceInTheRain · 22/04/2015 19:01

Shineyshoes, I am so sorry, there are no words to express my sympathy. Thank you for posting this. I saw some of the confusion and agitation mentioned above when my grandfather died, but I feel we need to be more open about death and the process of dying. It's still a weirdly taboo subject and consequently we're not as prepared as we could be. Thank you for posting this

Hugs and Thanks to all of you who are hurting.

mumslife · 22/04/2015 19:32

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mumslife · 22/04/2015 19:37

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SorrelForbes · 22/04/2015 21:03

Massive hugs to you all.

mumslife there are a lot of similarities in what you describe to what I witnessed with my DF and with the timeline. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in Jan 12 and had lots of chemo etc. He was brought down by the inevitable march of the disease plus repeated chest infections. Falling over in the hospital discharge lounge and breaking his hip didn't help much either...

mumslife · 22/04/2015 21:19

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mumslife · 22/04/2015 21:27

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Shineyshoes10 · 22/04/2015 21:33

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mumslife · 22/04/2015 21:51

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Shineyshoes10 · 22/04/2015 22:20

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