Aspiration pneumonia for the first time

[forourcarlo]

Hello everyone. My SIL is in his 6th year with PSP. There has been a lot of progression this year. He is now suffering with his first bout of aspiration pneumonia and is not doing well. He is at home and we have hospice and he is taking antibiotics and on O2.

Can a person have many bouts of aspiration pneumonia? He does not want a feeding tube or intubation. We have been dealing with this for so long, but now we are in a grieving state again. Is this the beginning of the end?

My prayers to all suffering from this horrid disease.

Bonnie

[kenh1]

The information we were given is the body builds up a resistance to antibiotics which will eventually lead to death.

The ng tube feed gave us an extra 5 years free of aspiration pneumonia and no need for antibiotics.

Wishing you well on your journey. Ken.

[easterncedar]

So sorry, Bonnie. It's a hard path. People do recover from aspiration pneumonia, and often have it several times before the antibiotics cease to help, but the progression of the disease is unpredictable. I found the hospice nurses usually had a pretty good idea of the time frame. Hang on.

Love and Peace,

Sarah

[forourcarlo in reply to easterncedar]

Thank you Sarah and Ken. He recovered briefly from the first bout, but now has it again, and this time it is more severe. We had to have the hospice nurse come out during the night. We have added some protocols for his comfort and he ended up having a peaceful night. He has declined a feeding tube and we are going to let nature take its course. So very, very sad to watch this disease take away a loved one bit by bit.

Bless you.

Bonnie

[doglington in reply to forourcarlo]

Thinking of you Bonnie. My husband took the same course. It is a dreadful disease and my sympathies are with you. Big hug from Jean xx

[forourcarlo in reply to doglington]

Thank you, Jean. So sorry... big hug back.