She keeps fighting back

Again last week I thought that the end may be approaching. Mum, now 7 years on from the onset of CBD, keeps fighting back. A nasty cough that started last week really had me worried she'd choke to death but with suction, antibiotics and hyoscine patches and her fighting spirit we seem to moving towards another remarkable recovery.

I feel conflicted as to whether this is a good or a bad thing. She isn't loosing her spirit but her quality of life is negligible. Pretty much bed bound, with only the occasional hour in her wheelchair (as that's all she can cope with now), fed through a peg, visits from me or other members of our extended family typically every other day, I fear her life is pretty bleak! The nursing home are great but there is a limit to how much time they can spend with her and most interaction is related either to her personal care, feeding & medication regime.

Maybe its the time of year that brings back so many memories of past celebrations (especially as mum's birthday is just before Christmas too). I want to keep creating special times for her, but running out of ideas on how to do so. I know she comprehends what's going on around her and what people are saying.

[Hidden]

This all sounds so familiar, apart from the peg my Dad is in this stage too. My dad's infections are so regular, it's as though I'm just waiting for the next one. Best wishes to you. Xx

[easterncedar]

It's hard. I do understand how conflicted you feel. It may not be as bleak as you imagine, though, as your mother may be more mentally in a peaceful twilight when she is alone, and then is truly alert only for visitors?

For what it may be worth, my guy always liked it when I or one of the aides read to him, even when he was past following a narrative. For some reason it was more engaging to him than books on tape - something about the person being there I think. One aide was reading from a book of nature essays and he chimed in to help her pronunciation, though he was hardly able to speak otherwise. When my MIL was dying I read to her from "Wind in the Willows" and she clearly was comforted by it. That's a memory that comforts me, too.

Love to you and your family. Ec