My aunt's doctor called me a few hours ago. He said that she wasn't doing so well. They can't get her to eat or drink anything.
The doctor wants to know if I want them to put a feeding tube in her or just make her comfortable. Wow. I was not expecting that phone call.
My aunt had stopped eatting once before but they managed to get her to start eatting again. This time that doesn't seem to be happening. So I am left with deciding on what to do. Well, mom will have a say -- it is her sister after all-- but I am the power of attorney so it is me that the doctor wants the answer from.
My aunt has a living will so I will have to read it again, but still..... I never thought that this type of situation would come up. This is really hard. I don't like having to make life/death decisions. It was hard enough to do it for my pets but for a human being.
Please pray for my family and for my aunt. If she would just eat.
13 comments:
I pray she has already made that desicion for you.
yes I would say the living will needs to be read again. But a feeding tube some say is not as easy as it sounds. I would do some online research. sometimes its just that they want to go. My grandmother was that way. She just wanted to go. Feeding tube is prolonging things that are not always good. becuase sometimes when you prolong it it makes it worse in the end. so be sure to check out all avenues. I ll pray for you Lori
Bless your heart Darling, you sure have a lot to cope with lately! Your family is definitely in my prayers.
I'm so sorry about ur aunt and the decisonu have to make...I know it must be tough
Oh Kathy, I am so sorry. This must be so stressful for you. I will certainly pray for you and your family. I do hope your aunt starts to eat. Big Hugs, hon. *Barb*
Oh Kathy that is hard.
I know what i would do............ but I have ahd to face these situations before.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/sdrogerson/SpecimenDays/
Hi Kathy,
You sure have a lot thrown at you lately. I am sorry.
I can relate in I have elderly parents, 87 and 89 and a special ed sister who is 55. She can't do a lot for herself.
A feeding tube sounds painful but I don't know much about it, I would research online if I were you.
Make a decision that you are comfortable with.
Love,
Donna
Hi Kathy-
Bless your heart and I am praying so hard for you. This is NOT easy. My journal speaks of my Mother having terminal lung cancer:
http://journals.aol.com/schoolgal040/SoMuchMore.
My Mother also has a very detailed Advanced Directive and myself and my Dad are the "decision makers". Myself and my Dad personally we have agreed to follow my Mom's wishes, no matter what. That is what we decided as a family, but everyone is different. My Mother's wishes to die with dignity are very important to her and we spend a lot of time praying for His guidance and praying with our Hospice Reverand Randy. My Mother has said that if or when the time comes that she refuses to take fluids and eat, that we follow her wishes please and we have said yes we will. Hospice and the doctors have special drugs to keep people comfortable in this situation.
I am so very sorry for your Aunt and your family. My prayers and thoughts go out to you Kathy.
I am sending you a big HUG,
Gayla
http://journals.aol.com/schoolgal040/SoMuchMore
As has been said, re-read the feeding tube. The mere fact that she took the time to have a living will/durable power of attorney form drawn up says that she doesn't want life-sustaining help. In my opinion, when I drew up MY living will, I did include the feeding tube issue in the context that there was no expectation of me coming back and leading a normal life.
I don't envy what you have to do, one way or the other. You'll be in my thoughts.
Oh Kathy. You and your family are in my prayers.
Hugs my friend!!!! I understand where you are coming from. I have my Mom's Power of Attorney for healthcare and I just don't know how I will feel if I am ever put in a position to make a decision such as you are being asked to.
Just remember you have friends out here if you just need to talk.
Deb
Kathy: I trust that you'll make the right decision-- hopefully the Living Will provides answers. Remember that really, your Aunt is the one making the decision-- I believe that when people stop eating, they are preparing to pass... it's something they know they are ready to do. That was my experience with my parents. hugs to you, Albert
Prayers, Kath.
V
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