katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,404 
|
Post by katybee on Aug 1, 2023 8:07:33 GMT
I don’t know if that’s what it’s called in this case. His short term memory is getting really bad. He asks the same questions over and over. He misunderstands what we say/ask (maybe he’s having hearing problems as well?) It comes and goes. There are many times when he is very coherent. He gets really bad when he is tired. For example, just now (12:30 am) I went in to give him his pain meds. He needed to go to the bathroom, so I helped him up. He started panicking and saying he needed to go and I tried to explain that he was right in front of the bathroom, but he wasn’t going in. He kept trying to tell me he needed something and finally he got out that he needed the key. I had to convince him there was no key. He is currently sleeping and spending most of his time in a fancy recliner we got him that lifts up and down to help him get in and out. He couldn’t figure out how to use it (even though he knows that chair better than anyone). He kept looking at all of the buttons and trying to push them, and even when I tried to show him the button to push, he was so confused. Then he wanted his AirPods, so I gave them to him, and he thought they were pills. I took them away because I was afraid he would swallow them. No joke.
I don’t know if it’s lack of oxygen or if there might be tumor activity in the brain. But I was not prepared for this. He’s going downhill so fast. His all over pain is getting worse and we’re going to have to switch him to morphine/fentanyl soon. The hospice nurse says once that happens, he will probably sleep almost all the time. I try to stay positive, but moments like this just suck.
|
|
|
|
Post by Neisey on Aug 1, 2023 9:16:46 GMT
So sorry to hear of your brothers rapid decline. Thinking of you all at this time.
|
|
|
|
Post by atomicdog on Aug 1, 2023 9:42:21 GMT
I'm so sorry. Praying for strength and comfort for you right now.
|
|
|
|
Post by allison1954 on Aug 1, 2023 9:52:23 GMT
I would definitely have him checked for a UTI. It is well documented that these are also signs of an undiagnosed UTI.
It may well not be, but hopefully it is something like this that can be helped.
I am sorry you are going through this, I know from experience that it can be so hard.
|
|
|
|
Post by christine58 on Aug 1, 2023 9:53:47 GMT
It very well could be tumor activity. I am sorry this is happening.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenlou on Aug 1, 2023 10:49:34 GMT
So sorry ((((HUGS))))
|
|
|
|
Post by auntkelly on Aug 1, 2023 12:02:20 GMT
I’m so sorry. I wish I had some advice. It’s heartbreaking to watch your loved ones decline.
|
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Aug 1, 2023 13:01:35 GMT
I’m so sorry. Being a caregiver is so hard emotionally. (((Hugs)))
|
|
|
|
Post by kristi521 on Aug 1, 2023 13:24:43 GMT
I am so sorry (((hugs)))
|
|
RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,791
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
|
Post by RedSquirrelUK on Aug 1, 2023 13:45:54 GMT
Heart-breaking. I agree about checking for a UTI, but yes, it could be the tumour. I'm so sorry sweet pea.  |
|
|
|
Post by mom on Aug 1, 2023 15:48:40 GMT
Im so sorry. It must be so hard watching him decline, and happening so quickly.
|
|
|
|
Post by flanz on Aug 1, 2023 15:51:37 GMT
I'm very sorry Katy, it must be so stressful. I wish I could fix it.
My mum and one of her closest friends had this happen with UTIs.
Mum's friend's was undiagnosed for a long time and she was never able to turn things around, but rather declined extremely quickly. Having seen this happen, we had mum tested for UTI practically the minute she wasn't making any sense. She did have a UTI, cleared it with antibiotics and returned to her normal cognitive function. I hope that's true for your brother as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by lucyg on Aug 1, 2023 15:54:55 GMT
oh Katy, I’m so sorry. It’s horrible having to watch a loved one’s decline like this. BTDT
|
|
snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,077
Location: Colorado
|
Post by snyder on Aug 1, 2023 16:04:21 GMT
Sorry to read this decline of your brother. It is very difficult to see our loved ones decline. My mom had beginning stages of dementia with the repeating of things over and over.
I agree to have him checked for UTI and also we notice if mom gets a bit dehydrated (because she hates water) that she has worse days with forgetting and repeating.
{{{Hugs}}}
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapmaven on Aug 1, 2023 16:07:47 GMT
katybee, watching someone go through such a decline is one of the hardest things ever. You have support here.
|
|
|
|
Post by peace on Aug 1, 2023 19:54:29 GMT
big giant hugs to you!! I'm so sorry that you are going through this- I'm just so sorry
|
|
|
|
Post by femalebusiness on Aug 1, 2023 19:57:51 GMT
It is very hard to watch someone you love decline. All you can really do is just love them. So sorry.
|
|
katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,404
|
Post by katybee on Aug 2, 2023 19:41:19 GMT
Thank-you everyone for your concern and comfort. We talked to my brother’s nurses, and the cognitive decline is most likely the increased pain meds and just a natural process of dying as your circulatory system delivers less oxygen to the brain. He is comfortable, so that’s the most important part. We are increasing his pain meds and Ativan, as well, which will make him sleep more. But I will miss the conversations we’ve had over the last month, just hanging out and goofing around.  |
|
gensmith
Full Member
Posts: 168
Jun 2, 2020 8:49:08 GMT
|
Post by gensmith on Aug 2, 2023 19:59:01 GMT
I’m so sorry. Sending you and your brother prayers for comfort and peace in the days ahead.
|
|
|
|
Post by getting started on Aug 2, 2023 22:01:52 GMT
I'm sorry to hear about your brother's decline.
|
|
moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,200
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
|
Post by moodyblue on Aug 2, 2023 22:08:00 GMT
I’m sorry. I’ve lived this as a caregiver/family member and it is so hard.
|
|
TXMary
Pearl Clutcher
And so many nights I just dream of the ocean. God, I wish I was sailin' again.
Posts: 2,850
|
Post by TXMary on Aug 3, 2023 4:14:04 GMT
I am so sorry. When my sister was in her final days with cancer, hospice put her on morphine and she slept almost all the time and we were mostly unable to communicate with her much anymore. My heart breaks for you and your family. Wrapping you in hugs and prayers.
|
|
|
|
Post by anniefb on Aug 3, 2023 9:20:34 GMT
So so sorry. Sending hugs to you.
|
|
RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,791
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
|
Post by RedSquirrelUK on Aug 3, 2023 10:29:27 GMT
Hugs. This is agony for you all, I know.
|
|
|
|
Post by peasapie on Aug 3, 2023 10:31:05 GMT
Thank-you everyone for your concern and comfort. We talked to my brother’s nurses, and the cognitive decline is most likely the increased pain meds and just a natural process of dying as your circulatory system delivers less oxygen to the brain. He is comfortable, so that’s the most important part. We are increasing his pain meds and Ativan, as well, which will make him sleep more. But I will miss the conversations we’ve had over the last month, just hanging out and goofing around. My heart is with you. |
|
|
|
Post by rahnee on Aug 3, 2023 12:31:38 GMT
I would definitely have him checked for a UTI. It is well documented that these are also signs of an undiagnosed UTI. It may well not be, but hopefully it is something like this that can be helped. I am sorry you are going through this, I know from experience that it can be so hard. It's absolutely worth getting him checked for a UTI. It's quite scary the effect this can have. My Mum was hospitalised about 7 years ago. She didn't recognise any of us, she was paranoid, and she was completely delusional with the most bizarre delusions. Doctors told us it was dementia as she was in her 70's at the time. It got so bad, that Christmas Eve she was physically throwing herself at the (locked) doors of the hospital trying to get out because she thought they were going to cut her legs and wings off during the night. I didn't think there was any possible way that she would ever recover or come home again. Whilst in hospital she was treated for a particularly bad UTI and within about 10. weeks was home with us. It happened again in 2021 (although not as bad) This time she was home within 4 weeks. She is now in her early 80's and you would never know that this had ever happened. |
|
|
|
Post by Lurkingpea on Aug 3, 2023 13:04:15 GMT
I agree to screen for UTI. I am sorry for everything your family is going through.
|
|
|
|
Post by annie on Aug 3, 2023 14:28:31 GMT
Sending hugs!
|
|
