90-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WITH HEART DISEASE

[Bev170]

My 90-year-old mother has severe HOCM, Alzheimer's, Hypertension, CHF.  99 pounds. Was hospitalized twice in past yr. with CHF.  Last August, my mother's cardiologist placed her on amiodarone (now at 200 mg.)  Add'l meds: Lasix, Nexium, Zoloft, Depakote, Vitamin E, Potassium, aspirin, Razadyne, and I-Caps for Macular Degeneration.  

2 days ago, the cardiologist alluded that Mother has multiple health issues. When my mother was in the hospital in August/07, he told me that she is at end of life.  

Please evaluate my mother's condition with info I have given you.  Prognosis?  Is she dying?

My questions are:  How long can a 90 yr. old live with the above medical issues? He told Mother that she may look 78, but "you have a 90 yr old body. He stated also that she should rest...   He said, "I tell my patients to go to sleep and dream.'  

My mother is a very "uptight" person, to use laymen's words.  But she is sleeping more.  I'm wondering how I should interpret what her cardiologist is saying.  He is such a good physician.  He takes excellent care of Mother.  I'm thinking that he does not want to tell me or my mother that she is approaching death, which I understand.  He is gentle.  He communicates well.  It's me that wonders if I am reading between his lines accurately.  

Is "sudden death" symptomatic of my mother's heart disease at her age?  I'm not saying that that will happen.  But is it considered a symptom?  

The unknown is worse for me than being told exactly what these symptoms eventually initiate.  Will you please help me on this?  I appreciate any information you can offer pertinent to how much longer you think my mom will live.  

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

It sounds like she has several significant medical problems.  I think what he is gently trying to tell you is that there is not more more he can do from a medical perspective and that surgical  fixes are not an option at that age.  It is always difficult estimate how much time people have left -- it is impossible.  I saw a patient a few days ago that was in hospice one year ago and is now living on her own in assisted living again.  

The important message is to cherish the time that you have rather than worrying about some thing that is inevitable but not here yet.

Sudden death is usually a very quick and painless way to die.  If you have to go and we all do at some point, it is not a bad way to go in my opinion.

I hope this helps.

[Bev170]

My mother is not one to sleep much.  Of late, she has been in bed with fatique A LOT.  She was listless throughout last weekend, so I took her to the doctor this week.  He said she may have been in a-fib, which she does have.  But her blood pressure is better now... 130/62 - 62 heart rate.  It spiked last week. Not today. I meant to add this info to above message.

[Bev170]

My mother is not one to sleep much.  Of late, she has been in bed with fatique A LOT.  She was listless throughout last weekend, so I took her to the doctor this week.  He said she may have been in a-fib, which she does have.  But her blood pressure is better now... 130/62 - 62 heart rate.  It spiked last week. Not today. I meant to add this info to above message.