Final Stage of MS for my Mom
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 6:44 am
My Mother is 63 and has PPMS. She was first diagnosed at age 30. Things got progressively worse at age 50. By 2002 using her walking became harder by 2003 she still had some use of arms. By 2005 a quadriplegic. In 2008 breast cancer, 2010 cellulitis, 2011 we found out she has "chronic inflammation of the gallbladder and stones" and as of July, the cellulitis has returned with five different antibiotics it did not go away.
This last reccurence, she was admitted into the hospital and put on an antibx/pen IV drip. Getting infor out of doctors is so HARD. Her primary that she might be septic but the hospital docs have not said this. The only doctor who was up front and honest was the neuro who came into see her.
He told her that she was in the final stages and has two choices. Next time there is an infection let it go and take pain meds or she can keep coming back in for the antibx/pen. This is the only thing that will keep killing the bacteria until it does not work anymore like the oral scripts.
She has expressed to me that she is DONE. However, she has started to show signs due to all the infections that she is often confused. I am an only child who has been taking care of her for over 10 years. This part is too much to handle and I know people do not like to say what they would do but I am flying solo here.
She says she wants to "give me a break" and go into a nursing home. I argument is if she is in the final stages, why leave home. My other question is what are her options to go peacefully? The infections cause her such pain and are getting worse. By doing the antibx is she just making it worse since they keep coming back?
There is no clots in her lungs or pneumonia (they did a chest x-ray), kidney function is good and the gallbladder is ok with the exception of the stone/inflammation.
She cannot get the gallbladder removed due to her breathing (heart is strong but lungs are weak). I keep reading posts about oxygen, feeding tubes etc. Is this a choice she has as well? Is hospices a choice?
I am really scared and confused as to what to do, what is around the corner and not wanting her to suffer for too long.
Thanks!
This last reccurence, she was admitted into the hospital and put on an antibx/pen IV drip. Getting infor out of doctors is so HARD. Her primary that she might be septic but the hospital docs have not said this. The only doctor who was up front and honest was the neuro who came into see her.
He told her that she was in the final stages and has two choices. Next time there is an infection let it go and take pain meds or she can keep coming back in for the antibx/pen. This is the only thing that will keep killing the bacteria until it does not work anymore like the oral scripts.
She has expressed to me that she is DONE. However, she has started to show signs due to all the infections that she is often confused. I am an only child who has been taking care of her for over 10 years. This part is too much to handle and I know people do not like to say what they would do but I am flying solo here.
She says she wants to "give me a break" and go into a nursing home. I argument is if she is in the final stages, why leave home. My other question is what are her options to go peacefully? The infections cause her such pain and are getting worse. By doing the antibx is she just making it worse since they keep coming back?
There is no clots in her lungs or pneumonia (they did a chest x-ray), kidney function is good and the gallbladder is ok with the exception of the stone/inflammation.
She cannot get the gallbladder removed due to her breathing (heart is strong but lungs are weak). I keep reading posts about oxygen, feeding tubes etc. Is this a choice she has as well? Is hospices a choice?
I am really scared and confused as to what to do, what is around the corner and not wanting her to suffer for too long.
Thanks!