Does this sound like "the end" to you? (mother)

[SPIDER04]

Mom is 91 and in a SNF. She vomited off and on 2 days this past week and ran a fever. She had just finished a round of antibiotics for a kidney infection. 3 days ago she began yelling and became combative toward nursing staff. She insisted snakes were biting her and hit at anyone who tried to comfort her. Just as suddenly as this began, it stopped. The past 2 days she hasn't spoken and her B/P is 70/35, is running a fever, unresponsive, requires oxygen and is now getting Sodium Chloride via IV along with antibiotics via injection. Staff won't comment except to say...we'll see if the fluids and antibiotic help. Do these symptoms say much to any of you here?

[jencam]

Originally Posted by SPIDER04

Mom is 91 and in a SNF. She vomited off and on 2 days this past week and ran a fever. She had just finished a round of antibiotics for a kidney infection. 3 days ago she began yelling and became combative toward nursing staff. She insisted snakes were biting her and hit at anyone who tried to comfort her. Just as suddenly as this began, it stopped. The past 2 days she hasn't spoken and her B/P is 70/35, is running a fever, unresponsive, requires oxygen and is now getting Sodium Chloride via IV along with antibiotics via injection. Staff won't comment except to say...we'll see if the fluids and antibiotic help. Do these symptoms say much to any of you here?

I think you need to talk to her Drs.............

[theoldnorthstate]

I am sorry. Hope she does better today.

[Briolat21]

Honestly, it sounds like she is quite ill - possibly well beyond the capability of the SNF.

I'm surprised they haven't sent her to a hospital.

I'm assuming that maybe she's on hospice or some other expectation that her situation is terminal and that's why they didn't transfer her?

I hope that the situation resolves and you're both able to find some peace.

[sfcambridge]

Yes, it sounds like she is quite ill. Sounds like she still has an infection.

Have you spoken to the Doctor?

Unless she has a DNR and has requested not to be brought to the hospital....she should have been sent to the ER already.

Are you going to see her ASAP?

[Windwalker2]

If she is in hospice, ask them about this. The nurse from hospice called me when my Mom was approaching death.

Also you don't say if she has advanced directives that specify she not be taken to a hospital.

Too many unknowns for us to really say anything about your situation.

[SPIDER04]

She's not under Hospice care and we don't have directives in place saying to not hospitalize her if necessary. She is a DNR, however. Doctor has not seen her and won't be on site till Monday. He's ordered chest X-ray, IV fluids, antibiotic given IM, and oxygen based on labs and nurse's evaluations. They (nursing staff) say they can do all that a hospital can do at this point.She's actually a bit improved today and when I told the head nurse I thought mom was dying yesterday, she admitted she did, too. This is overwhelming and frightening.

[BrassTacksGal]

I am so, so, sorry you are going through this. I hope your mother continues to improve. Please let us know.