another update…
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Anp,
I forgot to say as well that my dad started getting his meds through a syringe driver and that helped him enormously. It meant that he wasn’t taking anything orally and his meds were going into his body through the driver constantly, and that helped so much with the nausea. Perhaps that is something that you could discuss with hospice as well. Thinking of you right now.
Gavin
anp……my heart is with you and your family as this is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make on behalf of our loved ones. I believe that this is a time where most and foremost the most possible level of comfort needs to be achieved for your dear Dad in whichever way we can get there. It is likely that your Dad is nauseous and the slightest amount of liquids including, saliva could increase his suffering. Go with your heart, listen to those who, have travelled this road and allow Hospice to do what they are trained to do. Your Dad has the most caring family and he knows that he is in good hands.
Hugs and love,
MarionDear Anp,
I am sorry to hear what your dad is experiencing right now. This is such a tough time for you all and I went through the same with my dad. Have you been in touch with your dads doctor about this, especially so with regard to your dad passing out? Just noticed in your post that your dad is under hospice care, have you spoen with them about all of this?
As to your dad not being able to keep solids or liquids down, has this just started recently? Is your dad on any anti- nausea meds right now? My dad went through this as well and he was on various types of anti-nausea meds to deal with this. He went through a variety of types and combinations to try and help with this with varying amounts of success. In my dads case, he started bringing up a lot of his meds before they had a chance to work, so he was given an anti-nausea med that would dissolve under his tongue without him having to swallow it, Buccastem it is called here in the UK and that worked quite well for him. Suppositories may also be an option for your dad here, but his doctor will be able to help with this.
I don’t know the rules regarding hospice and IV’s over in the US, hopefully someone else will be able to help here. But I would strongly suggest that you get either hospice or the doctor to see your dad as soon as you can. Please let us know how you get on here, and also, please remember that we are all here for you and know what you are going through right now.
My best wishes to you and your dad,
Gavin
My father took a major turn for the worse this past Monday. He passed out several times. His blood pressure was so low that at times we could not get a reading. Usually, he will pick back up in a day or 2, but this time he hasn’t. He can’t keep any solids down and over the past 2 days, cannot keep in any liquids either. He is not bed ridden, but can barely walk now. Things changed almost overnight. It has been so strange. He has had so many “close calls” that it doesn’t seem real that this is it. I don’t know if hospice will put an IV in or not since he cannot hold liquids. I’ve been told that their rules have recently changed and that they can, but is that just going to prolong his suffering? Otherwise, how long can he survive if he keeps throwing up anything put on his stomach? We just are at a loss with what to do. What can we expect?
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