JMH
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2006
- Messages
- 42
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Country
- CA
- State
- Manitoba
- City
- The Pas
I just got back from spending the last 16 days with my Dad. For the most part he was in fairly good humor. The last couple of days got rough. He complained about being in pain at night. I went to the Dr. who prescribed Oxycontin. It seemed to really bring Dad down. At least I am assuming it is the drug. Is anyone familiar with this drug? Is there maybe a better alternative?
It worries us so much. Dad has been having more choking spells from phlegm build up and we know it panics him. Some days are worse than others. Dr. prescribed a patch to help with the phlegm but we're afraid it will dry his mouth so that he chokes on his food. I'm scared he's going to want to stop eating for fear of choking. He is not sleeping well and gets so tired.
I got a call from the ALS Society - they want my Dad to go in for an assessment to see if they can help him. The city is a 3 1/2 hour car drive away. How do we get him there? He can't walk at all now, can hardly use his left hand/arm and hit his tailbone, causing a bruise that seems to have turned into a pressure sore. We've had a nurse from Home Care come in to check on it but it is taking forever to heal and it is very difficult for him to sit or lie for any length of time. Sometimes I feel as if I'm at my wit's end. My two sisters and I are looking after Dad at home as he is terrified he will have to stay in a hospital or personal care home. We love him so much but it is getting harder and harder to transfer him from bed to chair, find food that is safe for him to eat, etc. We are afraid we will hurt him as he has become so frail. His voice seems to be getting weaker.
Sorry for such a long post. Tired and worried...wondering if we're doing all we can....
JMH
It worries us so much. Dad has been having more choking spells from phlegm build up and we know it panics him. Some days are worse than others. Dr. prescribed a patch to help with the phlegm but we're afraid it will dry his mouth so that he chokes on his food. I'm scared he's going to want to stop eating for fear of choking. He is not sleeping well and gets so tired.
I got a call from the ALS Society - they want my Dad to go in for an assessment to see if they can help him. The city is a 3 1/2 hour car drive away. How do we get him there? He can't walk at all now, can hardly use his left hand/arm and hit his tailbone, causing a bruise that seems to have turned into a pressure sore. We've had a nurse from Home Care come in to check on it but it is taking forever to heal and it is very difficult for him to sit or lie for any length of time. Sometimes I feel as if I'm at my wit's end. My two sisters and I are looking after Dad at home as he is terrified he will have to stay in a hospital or personal care home. We love him so much but it is getting harder and harder to transfer him from bed to chair, find food that is safe for him to eat, etc. We are afraid we will hurt him as he has become so frail. His voice seems to be getting weaker.
Sorry for such a long post. Tired and worried...wondering if we're doing all we can....
JMH