mellorama
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2010
- Messages
- 29
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Country
- US
- State
- CA
- City
- Glendale
Hi all... First I'm sending lots of positive energy to Beth...
So a couple of questions, or maybe just a shoulder, from anyone who is at this stage or has been through it. My mom is on the BiPAP almost 24/7 now. Clinic has basically said to her it is just a matter of time But she is still mobile and in decent physical shape, except for her breathing and swallowing. They did not even do her numbers last time, and said her cough is non-existent. Pulmonologist said eventually the secretions will build up (that was how it would progress) and he thought her respiratory system was too weak for the cough assist to be of much use. All her doctors say we could call in hospice but the local hospice seems very focussed on dying. They talked and offered to prescribe morphine on first visit. Neuro and Pulmon were clear that morphine would hasten death. I want her to feel safe and in good hands but she wants to still focus on life, not death.
So hard to know where she is in her progression. One Dr. says within 6 months, one says he would not put a time frame on it... She is clear today that she does not want the trache. She is on Peg already. As a family, we are just not sure where we are in this journey. Maybe we will never know, but any?
Thanks to all.
So a couple of questions, or maybe just a shoulder, from anyone who is at this stage or has been through it. My mom is on the BiPAP almost 24/7 now. Clinic has basically said to her it is just a matter of time But she is still mobile and in decent physical shape, except for her breathing and swallowing. They did not even do her numbers last time, and said her cough is non-existent. Pulmonologist said eventually the secretions will build up (that was how it would progress) and he thought her respiratory system was too weak for the cough assist to be of much use. All her doctors say we could call in hospice but the local hospice seems very focussed on dying. They talked and offered to prescribe morphine on first visit. Neuro and Pulmon were clear that morphine would hasten death. I want her to feel safe and in good hands but she wants to still focus on life, not death.
So hard to know where she is in her progression. One Dr. says within 6 months, one says he would not put a time frame on it... She is clear today that she does not want the trache. She is on Peg already. As a family, we are just not sure where we are in this journey. Maybe we will never know, but any?
Thanks to all.