My mum (typo/Christine)
Saturday, May 1st, 2010 01:45 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lizziecMost of you know mum has been diagnosed with a large cancerous tumour in her nasal cavity, stretching back a long way, wrapping itself around mum's carotid artery and causing a number of highly unpleasant symptoms, all of which led mum to be admitted to hospital yesterday, somewhat unexpectedly.
When we went to visit mum it was clear she was much worse than she was yesterday - hooked up to a heart monitor, nasal oxygen and several different lines and things going in to her - also looking weaker than yesterday and much sleepier.
Long story short, when the doctor saw me and Phil she said there was a good chance that mum won't live through the weekend, and in the end, after a good deal of discussion, we agreed to a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order.
While we discussed all of that, my bag was stolen from next to mum's bed, where I'd stupidly left it when the dr came to talk to us, which meant I spent an hour or so that I could have spent with mum searching for my bag, reporting the theft and cancelling my cards. That was an hour I couldn't spend with my critically ill mum, and if she dies tonight I really don't know how I could ever forgive the person who took it.
We've spoken to mum. She knows about and agrees with our decision. She wasn't upset or surprised, at least, not that we could see. We said all we wanted and needed to to her, and she said what she wanted and needed to, to us. From that point of view we are incredibly lucky, but it was one of the hardest things I've done in my life. She said she didn't want us to stay, and so we came home, but I can't sleep right now.
When we went to visit mum it was clear she was much worse than she was yesterday - hooked up to a heart monitor, nasal oxygen and several different lines and things going in to her - also looking weaker than yesterday and much sleepier.
Long story short, when the doctor saw me and Phil she said there was a good chance that mum won't live through the weekend, and in the end, after a good deal of discussion, we agreed to a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order.
While we discussed all of that, my bag was stolen from next to mum's bed, where I'd stupidly left it when the dr came to talk to us, which meant I spent an hour or so that I could have spent with mum searching for my bag, reporting the theft and cancelling my cards. That was an hour I couldn't spend with my critically ill mum, and if she dies tonight I really don't know how I could ever forgive the person who took it.
We've spoken to mum. She knows about and agrees with our decision. She wasn't upset or surprised, at least, not that we could see. We said all we wanted and needed to to her, and she said what she wanted and needed to, to us. From that point of view we are incredibly lucky, but it was one of the hardest things I've done in my life. She said she didn't want us to stay, and so we came home, but I can't sleep right now.
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Date: Sat, May. 1st, 2010 02:08 am (UTC)Having been through something similar with my mum 5 years ago, I understand exactly how you feel. Make sure that you're doing what feels most comfortable for you, even if that means spending the entire weekend at the hospital. Follow your own instincts on what feels 'right'.
As for your bag, what a bastard the person must have been who took it. I've never understood the mentality of people who steal from hospitals or from cars parked in hospital carparks. I just hope they get what's coming to them.
*hugs*
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Date: Sat, May. 1st, 2010 01:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Sat, May. 1st, 2010 01:54 pm (UTC)I wish you lots of strength.
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Date: Sat, May. 1st, 2010 02:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Sat, May. 1st, 2010 06:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Sat, May. 1st, 2010 08:52 pm (UTC)Lorna (Bethan's girlfriend)
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Date: Sat, May. 1st, 2010 10:27 pm (UTC)