Severe heart failure

[Catr1na]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can shed light on this condition. My mum has stage 4 lung cancer which is doing really well, she also has severe heart failure and a pacemaker. She was admitted to hospital 2 weeks ago and they said she had pneumonia and also that her heart had shown Futher signs of deterioration and asked if she wanted to do a DNR form. She is poorly again now and we just been gp he thinks the problems she is having is due to her heart deterioration when I asked what this meant he was a bit vague and when I asked how long a person can live with this he was even more vague. Is it not an illness they can put a time frame on? Also my mum is really struggling with the stairs and home and I'm wondering at what point we consider a bed downstairs. All her breathing issues and problems are down to her heart rather than her cancer. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[Becksagogo]

Oh bless you. How awful for Mum and for you and the family.

I have no medical experience so cannot possibly comment on how long as we are all different.

I would however suggest that if Mum's breathlessness means that climbing the stairs is an issue then you should consider moving the bed downstairs if you are able or if you can afford it consider a stair lift so that disruption is minimal. Mum needs to be included in any decisions made as the older generation can be quite stoic or stubborn.

Most of all I wish you well. Make time for yourself.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear about your mother. Nobody can predict how long somebody will live and any figure would be a guess. My grandfather (mother's side) was given the last rites on two separate occasions before WW II. He recovered both times and went on to 93. This is the BHF link for heart failure:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

There is also a downloadable booklet. I think it would also be worth your while ringing the BHF nurses to talk about things.

[Maisie2014]

I’m sorry to hear about your mum. This is a very worrying time. I looked after my mum for 15 months from her diagnosis of lung cancer. I cannot say anything about heart failure but I know how difficult it is for you at the moment. I would definitely move the bed downstairs if your mum agrees. My mum didn’t agree at first but asked for it to be moved once she realised it would be easier for her to breathe. Hopefully your mum will improve soon.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I am so sorry to hear about your mother.

I acknowledge how difficult this for your mum and all those of you who care and love her.

Are you aware of the support that Maire Currie provide?

mariecurie.org.uk/help

I lost my father due to Heart Failure my mother because of breast cancer.

I asked for my mum to be put on the Palliative care pathway by her GP. This is available to anybody who is coming to the last phase of their life.

It means more support and money is made available to your GP.

Are you able to discuss what's happening with your mother's GP with your mother's agreement and participation?

Your mother's local council should be able to help including providing a hospital style bed for your mother at home if necessary.

I also suggest that your mother is assessed by a Cardiologist who is a specialist in Heart Failure. There are community based Heart Failure nurses too who provide much appreciated care.

I talked to both of my parents about their wishes including whether they wanted to be resuscitated. This was not an easy conversation however I was glad I had that conversation it meant I was able to ensure they ended their lives as they wanted.

My heart goes out to you during this difficult time for you.

I hope you are all able especially your mother to access the care and support you all need.

[Handel]

We're thinking of you and your mum at this difficult time. Everything I would have said has already been said. You can get support from your local council social care section. I found it quite difficult trying to access care for my dad but the secret is to just keep pestering! Dad got things to make living easier. He too has cancer (prostate) and heart failure. He's also got mixed dementia and is living in a residential/care home now. He's 98!

All the very best to you and your mum xxx

[cowparsley]

Hi Catr1na,it must be so upsetting for you, Mum and the family. I can`t add anything to the advice given except to say I also have HF,a pacemaker and early stage lung cancer with COPD thrown into the mix and I know it`s the HF which bothers me most as my heart is also deteriorating.You don`t give your mother`s age,is she still able to do light exercise or walking on flat ground ? That helps me both mentally and physically.As to the bed moving question,I suggest you leave that decision up to your mother because as someone in an earlier reply said, we old ladies can be stubborn and difficult!! She`s so lucky to have you and my very best wishes to you and mum. Jen xx

[Hidden]

My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. It is possible that the end stage cancer, pneumonia and increasing heart failure are all connected. Someone has already suggested the palliative care pathway and that may be the best option in all the circumstances. There are good resources in Macmillan and Marie Curie that will help you navigate the care journey

[Dockdog]

Dear Catrina,

How very distressing for you, your Mum and family. You need to think carefully how to best help your Mum and perhaps a bed downstairs will be the best for her breathlessness.

Heart failure is a strange definition and it means the heart can not provide enough oxygen into the system as it is not pumping efficiently,it does not mean the heart will suddenly stop. Normally a figure is given from an Echocardiogram called an EF -Ejection Factor to define HF, a figure around 30 -35% is considered as HF whereas one of 60 -65% is fairly normal for a heart in good order. Of course the other factors in you Mum's case may have a profound effect too so anything you can do to make her life more comfortable will be a tremendous benefit to her. I too had that dreadful problem of being breathless going upstairs and still do sometimes having been in HF but now much improved thankfully.

I do hope you will be able to make arrangements to give your Mum and yourself some relief from worry and discomfort. There are so many of us who share your concerns and our thoughts are with you.

All good wishes.