End of life care

[LouLou987]

My wonderful beautiful dad is now approaching his final days. He would like to come home from hospital but we cannot get care at home because we would need 2 visits per day from a District nurse to administer fluids subcutaneously & our local care service can only provide one visit per day. Please can anyone recommend a private nursing service ?

Secondly, the doctor here says that they will not give dad nutrition via tube (IV or subcutaneously) as it would not make any difference. My dad came to hospital because he was being sick (blockage at pyloric despite having stent fitted in June) & is now basically starving to death. It’s not the cancer that is causing such a rapid decline but the lack of nutrition. Any advice on any of the matters would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

Lou

[Zantri]

Loulou

Have You contacted Macmillan to see if they can help?

If not your local Dr should be able to give you details of companies.

I am so sorry you are going through this. Will be thinking of you

Z

Xx

[LouLou987 in reply to Zantri]

Thank you so much for replying... my sister is now looking into Macmillan care

We have a meeting with palliative care in the hospital tomorrow, just hope Dad can be comfortable. Thanks again, Lou

[timmey25]

Where abouts In the world are you

[LouLou987 in reply to timmey25]

Berkshire

[Basel-m]

Hi Lou,

I have experienced the same thing exactly with my friend last year who finally died in a hospice.

I think you need to take your dad to a hospice, they are wonderful there.

My friend was not able to swallow anything at the end and went to sleep. They refused to give any nutrition via tube as doctors said his body was closing down and his organs are dying. Only his lungs and heart were functioning for about 5 days since he gone to sleep. They call it the death rattle.

I know it sounds awful and heart breaking and I hope I never see someone like this again, but they said he was kept with no pain at all.

I don’t know where you live, but in the UK I found the hospice is the best option for people approaching their final days. I thought martlets were absolutely wonderful.

I hope your dad is in no pain.

My thoughts are with you and your family

[LouLou987 in reply to Basel-m]

Hi, thank you so much for your reply, I’m so sorry to hear that you had a dreadful experience too. Your poor friend, it’s such an undignified end. I’m looking in to 2 hospices tomorrow. Thanks for reassuring me about their care..it’s such a difficult decision to make but incredibly comforting to hear of good hospice experiences like yours, thank you, Lou

[Officerfoggy]

Hi loulou contact Marie Curie nursing if you live in the UK. They often do Palliative care nursing at home.

Best wishes

[LouLou987 in reply to Officerfoggy]

Thank you so much for replying...my sister is now looking into this, thanks again, Lou

[focused1]

Same advice as others.Either a cancer trust or a hospice .Seems identical to my Mum's care .Was called the Liverpool Pathway disguised as really no food .

[LouLou987 in reply to focused1]

So sorry to hear that you had a similar experience, just awful seeing the people you love decline in such an undignified manner. Thank you so much for your advice, best wishes, Lou