Margaret is Still Fighting

Helen and I visit Margaret for up to six hours a day.  On Tuesday night she removed her catheter and cannula which means that she is no longer on a drip and they can't do a proper fluid balance.  It has been decided not to replace them.

She is not eating anything very much and is very weak.  She cannot stand without assistance which, with her broken arm, means that it takes two people to get her to and from the bath room.  Her pain control appears to be working and she is quite feisty as I found out when I tried to feed her on Wednesday.  She grabbed the fork,  threw the food at me and if I hadn't been quick would have skewered me. 

Helen tends to fuss over her Mum and she was told, "Shut up and go away you silly cow!".  Margaret did apologise later but as Helen said it made up for all the times when she had been a silly cow and Margaret still supported her.

In spite of all her problems Margaret's kidney function is improving.  On Monday her Creatinine Level was 436 micromol/litre and eGFR 9 ml/min  which is for all intents and purposes is complete kidney failure.  By Wednesday they had improved to 200 and 22 respectively.  If we can keep getting fluid into her she will survive a little while longer.  This has been achieved by stopping all her diuretics which now means that she is at risk of pulmonary oedema and heart failure.  I have been asked by her specialist if Margaret has and wishes concerning resuscitation.  Fortunately she has an Advanced Health Directive and has given me her Enduring Power of Attorney for Health Matters.  She does not want to be resuscitated and the Specialist was relieved as this is probably the best and kindest thing for Margaret.

Because Margaret is not actually receiving any medical treatment and her arm is beyond repair she will be sent back to her room in the nursing home early next week where she will receive palliative care.  Here we will be able to visit her at any time and take Louis into visit her.  We hope to be able to have a birthday party for her on the 26 September when she will be 74.  We celebrate our 52nd Wedding Anniversary on the 20 September.