Is this near the end for my Mum

[Brindleboy123]

Mum has copd, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, angina, osteoperosis (very severe), prolapsed colon, stomach ulcers. She is currently in hospital with yet another chest infection. I understand that she now has heart failure and is retaining a lot of water in her feet, legs, hands, arms and around her neck. She is unable to walk due to the pain of the osteoperosis and the copd more than just a couple of steps and is on 02 24/7.  Her heart rate when she was admitted was 138 but topped at 170. Her 02 levels dipped to 88 and glucose 18.5 As you can imagine she is very low, wasn´t eating much and has also signed forms to say that she does not want resus, artificial breathing or artificial feeding.  I have seen mum suffer for many years but since my dad died a couple of years ago now she has really gone down hill and is very depressed. I live in Spain and my mum lives in the uk but I visit for a week each month to look after her.  The rest of the time she lives in her own home with carers 4 times a day and all night. She never leaves her bedroom as she is unable to manage the steps.

Mum tells me she wants to die but is scared, I think this is why her body just won´t let go.  The hospital say she is ok and that if there is a change they will call me so I can get over there as quick as possible.  She is actually trying to eat a little and is sitting up.  When I was with her a week ago she was sleeping most of the day or very tired. I think she is managing to stay awake a little longer now.  

I don´t really understand the stages of copd and the hospice tell me that it is very difficult to judge how long a person will live with this disease.  Do you think from my very unprofessional description that I will have Mum for long, or do you think her prayers to be with my dad will be answered?  Thank you for listening to me.

[Brindleboy123]

Thank you for your response.  I have today that the infection is improving and that the  swelling has reduced on the right side but that the doctors were baffled as to why the swelling was still bad in her left hand and arm.  They did a doppler ultrasound on the arm today and found that there is no DVT but that there is an obstruction in the vein. I am not really sure what this means. I will be visiting my mum next week.

[National Jewish Health]

What you describe suggests that your mum is nearing the end of her life, suffering from multiple organ failure, including her heart.  Her wish to not be resuscitated, be given “artificial feeding” or assisted ventilation should be reinforced with all her caregivers and respected by them.  She might also want to request that she not be treated with antibiotics for her chest infection.You may want to inquire of those same caregivers if she might be a candidate for Hospice Care (you stated that she is currently in the hospital).  Also, she might benefit from the opportunity to express her fear of death, with a hospital chaplain or her own pastor, if she has one.  

Your description of her lungs suggests that she has severe, if not very severe COPD, compounded by heart failure.

The Hospice people are right in stating that it is difficult (if not impossible) to judge how long a person will live but, from your description, her life will likely now be measured in weeks to months.  She seems to be alert.  You may want to consider visiting your mum  now to comfort her and say goodbye, while that is still possible.

Good luck