PLEASE HELP REGARD HOSPITAL INTERPRETATION

[Bev170]

My mother has a-fib, CHF, hypertension, and severe hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.  She has been in the hospital three times during the past year with CHF.  She was in MUCH fatigue last weekend.  I called her cardiologist, and he suggested that I could bring her in for an ekg if I wanted to.  On the phone he stated, "I do not want to send her to the hospital again."

My 90-year-old mother is doing okay today, but as you read the above it is apparent that she is in poor health heartwise.  Now...what am I to do if she goes into CHF?  In other words, how do you interpret the doctor's statement of not wanting to place her in the hospital.

[Bev170]

GREAT QUESTION about Hospice.  No, my mother's doctor did not mention hospice.  You have planted a seed.  I will ask. I am thinking, like you said about your Dad, that the doctor doesn't find it that beneficial to go back & forth to the hospital.   Thanks for this information.  I hope your Dad continues to do well.  I can tell that he is in VERY good care. :)  

[ireneo]

My Dad is almost 80 and has heart failure (after 4 heart attacks). Over a  year ago he was diagnosed as being in "end stage heart failure." The doc actually put him on hospice care because he didn't think running back and forth to the hospital would be that beneficial or comfortable for him. Still, the hospice nurse and the cardio worked hard together to make my Dad as comfortable and healthy as possible. After 6 months my Dad was stable enough again to be taken off hospice. He's not in great shape obviously but he can walk around the house, dress and feed himself and enjoys TV. You just never know. My question is: did her doctor recommend hospice care? If her life is winding down, then that would be a good option for her.

[Barbarella]

Did you ask the doctor "why" he made that statement?  

I refuse to believe that he said that because your mother is 90 yrs old and nothing else can be done about her heart.  I'd call the doctor and tell him of your concern and ask him what he meant by "he doesn't want to send your mother to the hospital again".