She is in excrutiating pain. xrays showed a fractures, degenerated disks
and curvature of spine and spine damage. She is 93 (in 2 days).
She fell and I took to emergency room. xrays, cat scans he said there is nothing that can be done. Sent her home with Methocarbamol 750 (muscle relaxer) and tylenol 3 - not to be taken together.
He said to me he was going to ask me a strange question...he asked if I was bringing her here to have her placed? I finally figured out he meant NH. I said no. He asked if I was prepared to take her home...I said yes, I'm devoted to her and just want her pain to go away. I thought that waas strange.
Now, she can't move without out crying out. Some pain meds make her wacky.
She is spending all her time in bed.
How do you care for someone who is in so much pain. I can't lift her.
Any suggestions? How do I get a hospital bed brought to our home?
The first day the meds knocked her pain and her out. Today it didn't completely work, still has pain.
Maybe I will have to consider NH. Oh my, I never wanted to have to do it. If she doesn't keep getting up she will loose being able to walk again, I'm afraid.
If it's the best thing for her, I'll consider. But I don't know if I could stand the guilt.
The ER doctor's questions weren't strange, in my mind. When people get to a point where they need more care than a single individual can give them what they need in a home setting then often the way to get them the best care is to place them where there are numerous caregivers working in shifts so they all get good nights of sleep and have a life. Where there is access to appropriate pain medication and easy to experiment with the correct dosage and exact meds. Where there is equipment and more than one person available to minimize pain of moving. Many persons in your situation would want to have their loved one "placed" -- so the doctor's question is not so strange.
On the other hand, Mother perhaps derives comfort from having you near and being in familiar surroundings.
Has anyone suggested she might be near the end of life's journey? If she qualifies for Hospice that may be an excellent option to consider. They are all about managing pain, keeping the patient comfortable, and providing comfort to the caregiver and family as well.