AboutMargot RN BScN CGN Expertise I nursed my own Mother and Grandmother at home when they were dying so I have personal experience with the emotions involved. I have also spent the last 15+ years as a Registered Nurse caring for The Elderly and Terminally Ill and it has brought me great satisfaction. I am willing to answer any questions I can.
Experience
Past/Present clients Hundreds of Long Term Care Residents as well as hundreds of Cleitns and families in the community (including my Mother and Grandmother).
Question MY DAD WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PANCREATIC CANCER THIS PAST MARCH. WITHIN THE PAST MONTH HIS HEALTH HAS DRASTICALLY DECLINED AND RIGHT NOW WE'VE ARRANGED FOR HOSPICE HOME CARE WHICH PROVIDES AN HOME HEALTH AIDE A COUPLE HOURS A DAY. IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS MY DAD SPENDS MOST OF THE DAY IN BED UNLESS HE NEEDS TO URINATE, HE DOESN'T EAT AND ONLY DRINKS WHEN TAKING PILLS. MOST OF THE TIME HIS EYES ARE CLOSED AND WHEN AWAKE HE'S DISORIENTED, BARELY ABLE TO COMMUNICATE. WE WANT TO KEEP HIM HOME BUT IS IT BEST FOR MY DAD TO GO INPATIENT WITH HOSPICE?
Answer Hi Lyndsie and thanks for writing,
It will certainly be a lot of work and a full-time commitment, but I believe the time is irreplaceable and you’ll never regret caring for your Dad during his final months/weeks – it’s the best thing I ever did and I’d do it again in a minute (sometimes I even wish I could turn back the clock and relive that year).
The most important thing is to enjoy each day that he feels well, and to prepare for the days he doesn’t. Pancreatic cancer can cause a fair amount of nausea which can make anyone feel pretty crummy so you’ll want to discuss treatment plans with his healthcare team now and be sure you stay in top of nausea and pain and prevent both whenever possible.
Obviously his fluctuations in health will dictate your days; some days he may be up to getting up and carrying out the daily routines, and others he will not and may rest most of the day. As the weeks pass he will grow weaker and have less and less tolerance for activities of daily living; he will likely loss weight as he eats less and she will rest more each day.
I don’t want to scare you with all the possibilities but suggest you write again as his health declines and I can address specific questions you may have. My other advise for now is to ensure you are aware of and take advantage of all the services available in your area – get assessed by the government health authority and see what supports and services are available through the Palliative Care Program. Familiarise yourself with the local pharmacies and medical equipment supply stores as you will require some equipment in the house as your Dad gets weaker so you may want to price hospital bed rentals now and find out if you can get some equipment on loan from The Red Cross etc ..
Please do write again whenever you have any questions.
