A Very Long Week

A Very Long Week

So: if a week is a long time in politics, when a loved one is in hospital, it feels even longer.

Bob did the morning shifts, brushing Mum's teeth, and give her cornflakes - it was a great success if he got Mum to swallow something, but we are always careful not to overload her with food, in case she hasn't swallowed it, and then chokes on a mouthful.

I went in at about 5.30 p.m. with Mum's dinner - the "hot box" we've created keeps the food piping hot - all it is, is a cut down cardboard box, sized to fit the plate, and lined with newspapers!

We also made sure Mum took as much of the prescribed oral medicine as possible, but fortunately, a lot of it can be administered by the drip.

Mum dozed a lot during the evenings, so I took my Easter card list with me, and started writing cards and addressing envelopes - it was very companionable.

On Saturday, 7 March, Wendy joined me with Mum on the ward. We stayed from about 6.00 - 9.15 p.m.  and tried to give her some dinner, but she just let the food slide out of her mouth, and didn't swallow it. Again, we managed to get Mum to drink the potassium medicine, and laxative mixture, so at least that was something.

Mum was very happy to see Wendy, and I was so glad she knew we were both with her.

On Sunday, 8 March, I took in Ma's dinner for her, and tried to encourage her to eat it; she said it was lovely, but we really didn't get very far. We chatted for a while, and I sang to her - Mum joined in, and enjoyed it. She is still remembering all the words! We had little chats when she was awake, and I tried to give her more to drink - it is difficult to keep Mum enthused, but we must keep persevering!

Monday, 9 March

We were both up early this morning, hoping to get in to the hospital and see the consultant on his ward rounds.

We did Mum's teeth, and started her on cornflakes; we also waited all morning to see the Consultant. Mum was one of the last patients to be seen, but at last our patience was rewarded.

The doctor said they have put Mum on very high doses of Furosemide, to try and reduce the oedema. There is so much water sloshing around Mum's tissues, but there are a number of other issues that they are trying to deal with as well. He said it is difficult when there is so much going on, but he assured me they are treating her actively and will carry on doing so.

Mum has had so many blood tests; they discovered she is anaemic, and she was then given a unit of blood - she is group A rhesus negative, which is a bit unusual - I know I am group A rhesus positive, which is more common! Anyway, this transfusion should boost Mum up a bit.

We got away from the hospital for a couple of hours, and then I was back again at about 5.00 p.m., with Mum's dinner on board. She does know she should try and eat, but she keeps dozing off, and when she is dozing, I can't encourage her to eat. I persevere all the hours we are there, and hope enough is getting into Mum to help keep her going.

Tuesday, 10 March

Mum did not eat much today; we manage to give her the potassium medication, along with a soluble laxative. Because they can't tell how much - if any - urine Mum is passing, they have inserted a catheter, so that it can be measured.

Wednesday, 11th March and Thursday, 12 March

Both rather sad days; Mum very sleepy, not eating or drinking, and her voice was so reedy and faint, it was completely unlike how she usually is. We were there for our usual two visits each day, staying hours at a time, but it is so sad and difficult, when you can see Mum sliding further and further down the slippery slope.  You feel you want to shout, "COME ON, MUM! EAT UP! IT'S LOVELY, AND IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!" but of course that approach won't work; it doesn't get through.

Friday, 13 March

This was a much better day! Mum was perkier, and when she saw the Consultant, he asked her outright, "Do you want to stay in hospital?"

Quick as a flash, Mum said, very firmly, "NO!"

"Do you want to go home?" was his next question.

Equally firmly, came Mum's reply: "YES!"

So there we had it: the Consultant agreed they would get Mum fit to travel, and she might even go home today.

He did give a word of warning, though. Once Mum was back home, they would not admit back to hospital again. We understood that, and the reason why; in one way, it made it even more important, to get Mum home as soon as we possibly can, as soon as she is well enough to be moved.