I had thought about bumping my previous thread to post the lastest development on my wife’s condition, but decided that I didn’t want this in the Pit. I’ve gone beyond feeling angry about this.
Over the last few weeks my wife’s condition has gone steadily downhill. Outside of complaining when she had to be moved or answering questions she hardly spoke. She developed some sort of gastric problem which caused diarrhea and occasional vomiting, which fortunately responded to treatment. Her blood sugar shot up into the 400s; putting her on insulin was discussed but dismissed as being too difficult to control considering her other conditions, and a change in her oral medications had no effect. Over the weekend she started coughing and seemed to be having trouble breathing. Tuesday when the nurse came to check her vitals her blood pressure was almost non-existant.
So I made the decision to stop her feeding. She’s getting Lortab for pain and some other medication to control what’s left of her bodily functions. I had previously been told that given her sedentary state she could last as long as two weeks without feeding, but since it appears that her body seems to have already gone into shutdown mode that may be overly optimistic.
Before anybody asks, yes I have been talking to a counsellor from the hospice, and I have an appointment later this morning with one here at work. I’ve also called friends and family to alert them to the situation. I’ve made preliminary arrangements with a cremation service. Considering her physical condition there won’t be a viewing; I’m looking into possible locations for a memorial service at a later date.
I’d like to thank everybody for their support through this difficult time. I can’t begin to express how much it means that people who only know me through my on-line ramblings care so much about my problems.
That is a very deep sadness, I wish there were words that I could give you to take the pain away, but there are none. None the less, please know that you are in my thoughts.
