An answer to prayer!!!

[Guest guest]

I talked to Dr. Holm this morning, the geriatrician Mother has only

seen only twice. I asked him if Mother was in the dying process

because yesterday she said she was dying, that she needed to go

home, she needed to leave. Today she refused to take her meds and

she is not eating or drinking a lot. He feels she is not in the

dying process but has severe depression from the stroke she had 3

weeks ago. He did increase her Effexor last week but I have seen no

improvements. He gave me some options because the director of the

ALF and I were thinking about bringing in hospice. Dr. Holm said he

wants to increase her anti-depressant again, put her on a feeding

tube and IV for hydration. Another option which he said is very

effective and brings patients out faster from their depression is

electric shock therapy (EST). He also suggested sedation or bringing

her in the hospital as an inpatient. I jumped at the inpatient

option because Mother would be under his observation and he could

see if she is making any improvements. I know Mother will not be

happy about going to another facility but in the long run it is the

best option for her since she is in an ALF with no nurses on staff.

She probably won't be able to get in for another day or so but I am

hopeful for her. Dr. Holm said that he is not playing God, and that

the treatments will not prolong her life but his goal is to give her

the best quality of life that she deserves. He thinks that she may

have possibly had another stroke so he will check for that, too. He

understands that Mother's PCP has given up on her so he has stepped

in to help. What an answer to prayer!!!!

Blessings,

Eileen in MN