District nurses

Tiglath

Mum's still in hospital. The angioplasty failed and she had a bypass to sort out the one viable artery which seems to be holding so far. Meeting the surgeon on Sunday for an update. She's so confused though, it's heartbreaking, and in pain as of this evening. I can't even think about the amount of work I've missed - it's a good job my boss is understanding. It's taking its toll on all of us. Anyway, the district nurse referral went through but it's on hold until Mum comes out.

itsanne

There's been a lot going on, Tiglath, and it's not uncommon to suffer some confusion following anaesthesia. Hopefully that will improve as she recovers - and hopefully her pain is already controlled now.

Good luck to you both.

slowcoachme

This is the reason why NHS are so much better for certain conditions, not much use to you now though.
Is your mum getting Physio? Is she mobile?
Has she had an Occupational Therapy assessment to determine if she will need help to begin with at home?
The district nurses will only attend to do dressings, but I would hope that your mum is discharged with a fully healed wound, if not it's something to question the consultant about.
I hope her confusion resolves, pain can be a cause, ask what pain relief she is getting and whether it's adequate.
I hope she gets better soon.

Tiglath

Thanks - we've just found out she has to have a third toe removed for gangrene, plus they need to open up the incision and figure out what to do because it's gone manky at the thigh end. He was suggesting they might decide to move the arterial graft deeper into her leg under muscle to protect it. She's been having physio in the hospital and the OT faxed an assessment through to the district nurses a while ago (which is on hold). The surgeon says the wound is going to be complex and he'd rather she comes back to the hospital every 2-3 days to get it dressed, when she eventually gets out. My sister has made initial contact with social services. Her pain is under control and they managed to get a diazepam into her just before we left because she was hysterical at the thought of yet another op. To be honest, I think she may give up but there's no way of really knowing that. Sometimes the body and mind just decide enough is enough.

Mojisola

Tiglath wrote: »

Sometimes the body and mind just decide enough is enough.

That's true - if the person decides they've had enough, they can just let go of life.

Look after yourself - these times in life are very difficult to cope with.

Tiglath

An update - Mum had 3 toes removed and an arterial bypass. She's been at home for a month or so with carers going in 4x/day and the district nurses doing what they should, but she never really got to grips with being mobile. The graft has failed and she's having her leg amputated mid-thigh as soon as it can be arranged as another infection has taken hold. Bit boggled by it all because she can't live independently after that and we have to look at care homes and funding - I'm going to speak to her social worker tomorrow. The op will be done privately on the insurance, but her insurance won't cover her for rehab or anything outpatient-related, so she'll transfer on the NHS to a different hospital after the op. Not sure if we're coming or going at the moment.

grey_lady

Sorry to hear that Tiglath, I've been through similar with my grandmother, gangrene is awful. Is your mother well enough to have the operation?

Tiglath

I spoke to the surgeon last night and he says yes she is, subject to pre-admission bloodtests. She's a tough old bird - had 5 ops under GA in a couple of weeks in January/February. I'm worried about the funding of the care home costs but I'll speak to social today; they've been excellent and really switched-on so far. I'm guessing we'll probably have to sell her home (probably need to arrange POA for me and/or my sister pretty swiftly), pay off what she owes under the equity release scheme, pay off her credit card, and hand the rest over to the council, which is fine if it means she gets the care she needs.

Morglin

POA's can be arranged, but be warned, they don't do "swiftly" - the whole process took us ages, because the COP are so slow.

Hopefully, the social workers can advise you.

Good luck.

Lin

Tiglath

Just an update in case anyone's interested - Mum was in hospital after the amputation until a couple of weeks ago, but now she's settled in a lovely local care home and as healthy as can be expected. Unable to walk or do much for herself with only one leg (prosthetic limb not an option) but likes the carers, the food and the other residents, so the best outcome really, given the way this year started. She doesn't have to sell her house to cover the costs but does want to sell it, so we'll do that and then get the council to re-assess her fees as she'll have over the savings limit once it's all gone through.