Saturday 31 May 2014

What to say next

It's hard to know what to say when things you have imagined happening in the future seem to be hurtling towards you too fast and too soon, and there isn't a damn thing you can do to stop them.  Events develop under your nose and you just don't put all the pieces together to see the bigger picture until someone who is further back points out what you don't want to see.  They do it kindly, and with the best intentions, but it is still like a smack in the face.  It hurts.

Yesterday, the sleep clinic nurse was sufficiently concerned when I mentioned some of the FH's most recent symptoms, that she contacted the transplant clinic and we were sent along there to be seen by a doctor.  Although the two clinics are not that far apart, the FH almost collapsed on the mooch along the way, and I had to call for help to hold him upright - a nearby worker helped me to hold him whilst another fetched a wheelchair.  He was shocked at that episode and it put the wind up him before we even reached the transplant clinic.

As we weren't scheduled for an appointment yesterday, we had to wait some time to see the cardiologist - a lovely man that the FH has seen a lot of over the past 14 years that we have been in this area.  When we did see him eventually, it was after a caring charge nurse had taken down some details, and done the usual BP and weight checks.  Finally I was able to wheel him in to be seen.

The levels of fluid in the FH's body are rising, and his heart is under increasing strain.  The doctor described it as a stiff, thick balloon - hard to inflate and not very flexible any more, so it is not pumping the blood around his body very efficiently.  It is weakening, and at an increasing rate of decline, it seems.

The doctor was kind, and explained that there are still a few other diuretics that can help with the fluid, but that they will exacerbate the gout and probably increase the level of pain that he is experiencing.  He has largely had the gout at a manageable level these past few months, and has always been able to walk around lately.  His weight is increasing, but we are aware that that is fluid retention.  The doctor, with the best will in the world, is running out of options for the FH, it seems.

The FH was told yesterday that he should begin to think about how he wants to be cared for at the end.

His words were that it is not "imminent" but that we should discuss it and investigate the options, that he will write to the GP and ask him to talk with us about support available.  Thinking about this, there are a lot of questions arising in our minds, and so we plan to speak with the nurse practitioner at the surgery on Monday when we go for the next INR check.

Thank you for all your support and prayers - it means the world to me in all of this.

20 comments:

LAGL said...

Praying for you all.xx

Unknown said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers. You will find the strength to come to terms with this and carry on xxx

Frugally challenged said...

Praying for all four of you here.

veeknits19 said...

So sorry to read your news. Thinking about you and the family, there are lots of prayers being said for you. Hope you can find some comfort in this very difficult time, Vee xx

Angela said...

Praying for you all at this difficult time. Hang on to the promises of Isaiah 43 xx

thrift deluxe said...

Thinking of you.

A Suffolk Girl said...

My thoughts are with you at this very hard and worrying time for you and your family. Xxx

Lyssa Medana said...

Lots and lots and lots of prayers WS xxx

Gary said...

You will all be in my prayers.

Sue in Suffolk said...

Such sad news, keep strong and take care, will be thinking of you a lot.

Gill - That British Woman said...

adding my prayers as well and hoping they medical professionals can find some way to ease your other half pain.

Trudie said...

So sorry to hear your news - thinking of you and hugs sent to you all xxxx

SusanM said...

This must be very hard for all of you and I know that EFG has her exams starting this week too, so I really do feel for you. But you are a strong, caring family and will continue to support each other. My thoughts are with you. Take care xx

Unknown said...

Praying

Kim @ Him, Him Me said...

So sorry to hear your news Morgan. Will be thinking of and praying for all of you

Allegra said...

Thinking of you all xxx

ciao said...

So sorry to hear your news, will light a candle at church for you all, God blessxxx

rabbitquilter said...

How sad for you all. Thinking and praying for you all XX

Louise said...

Thinking of you all xxx

tylasnan said...

Just saw your news,so sorry!
Will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen near Gympie.