And it doesn't sound good. Her leg is causing her more pain (long term memories will tell you that she had a fall a few years back and hurt her leg - the skin never healed properly and it needs instant attention). So she's being given more morphine. She is now refusing food and drink, and is getting more and more forgetful. My mum tells me that she's really only remembering her childhood now and is increasingly frail.

I guess this is where I would apply the phrase "brace yourself". I expect that this is really going to go one way now.

sorry to hear that

Dude, that whole post sucks big cheese weenie. (8+(

Mark

Not quite the way I'd put it, but I have to say I concur with that analysis.

Sorry to hear that. If she's in terminal decline, I hope it's as peaceful as possible. It can be very distressing seeing a loved one deteriorate like this and I imagine your mother's taking it hard.

I'd echo the thoughts above, best wishes.

Really sorry to hear it Paul.
Hope things go ok for you all.

Thanks, all. It's a case of waiting to see what happens.

Grandma is, or was, very scientifically minded. She was always able to discuss her problems with medical staff on a level that they appreciated, and even with an air of detachment which I think most of us would find hard to do. She was always very well informed and was able to make decisions about her health until quite recently.

My mum thinks that somewhere in the muddle this is still going on. She's saying that she's "had enough" and I guess that somehow she's made a final decision for herself.

More on this as I know more, I expect.

I know exactly how you feel.
With my garndma is started with her short term memory. Over a couple of years it got worse and worse. The older the memory, the longer she kept it, but it got to a point where she didn't recognise anybody at all and couldn't remember anything aout her life. For the last few months she didn't even speak.
It was actually a blessing when she did finally pass on.
You have my sympathies.

Having just lost my Mum my sympathies to you as I know exactly what your family are going through.

Oh, crap. The message I have today is that my mum and dad are hurtling over to her. Things don't sound at all good - doctor in attendance.

Will know more I hope later.

An I’ve just tried phoning the in-laws (now that I have some) so I have a human to talk to - and they are all out. I also want to let someone I’m meant to be having a meeting with tomorrow or early next week (it’s a lump of work with a regular client) what’s going on as I’m in that situation now where I’m going to need some flexibility. I may have my mum round here tomorrow or the weekend - I’m at a halfway distance between Grandma’s nursing home and my parents, and I’m offering my mum place to stay, lifts etc..

There's nothing much I can say that will help Paul, except that our thoughts are with you and yours during this difficult time and if you need a relative stranger to speak to, in confidence, there are many here, (myself included) who are only a private message away.

Well said, that man.

Thanks, all. Right now they are making her comfortable, and my mum's with her. I'm by the phone with the means to get there if needed, and a place for my mum to crash if that's needed too.