Mom is in hospice for end-stage CHF.
She fell last night; this is the 5th fall in 2 1/2 weeks, always at night. At first, I suspected the meds her doctor gave her to help her sleep (Trazadone). But Monday night after she fell, when I went to help her up, I saw that she had left the water in the bathroom sink running, full blast. Like she went to turn the water off, but instead turned it on and didn't realize. When we helped her up, she was having real trouble tracking our instructions - she could hear and understand them, but couldn't figure out how to make her body do what she was trying to make it do.
I started to suspect TIA's. The hospice nurse came out yesterday, and she feels very strongly that I'm correct - she ran through the stroke "tests" and found considerable more weakness on the right side.
My question is, does anyone here have any experience with TIA's during an end-stage illness? I know there's really nothing they can do to either treat or prevent them. What should I be prepared for, other than more falls? Is this a sign of the end coming sooner rather than later? I've been trying to find out some more info online, and I can't seem to find anything for guidance, so I thought I would come here to my "go-to" people, who might have had real world experience with this.
Thank you!!
I appreciate your input and support. Thanks!
The point about the body defending itself actually makes a lot of sense, I had heard that about frostbite and traumatic injuries, but it makes sense with other illnesses too.
The hospice nurse said once she stops eating, that will be the earliest sign that the end is near. I am waiting for a call from the SW who is going to help me arrange for night-time aide to stay with mom.
Thank you for your support! Much appreciated!