Dad is staying in Leeds until this weekend. Susie will then take him home to Crail. That visit will be to wrap up his affairs and say goodbyes, including to Mum.He'll then head back to Leeds to spend his final days in a Hospice there. He's going to have a look round one tomorrow.
He's got grand plans of wanting to come to Inverness and do more visiting, but it is very unlikely that he'll manage the journey.
He's very weak now and is struggling even to take in fluids, let alone solid food. He's also in lots of pain, but some pain relief is being administered through skin patches and this helps. Talking is becoming difficult and painful for him.
His final wishes are for a Church service in Elie, followed by a cremation.
Monday 25 August 2008
Thursday 21 August 2008
It won't be long now.
Dad is going downhill pretty quickly. He's unable to swallow now - so much for us thinking the tumour wasn't growing into his throat!
Susie is in contact with Palliative Care Services in both Leeds and St Andrews to see if there is help they can give him. He'll probably be in Leeds for at least another week and then he's planning to return to Fife. He'll probably be in a hospice when/if he gets back to Fife.
Certainly I think his days of living alone in Crail are over.
It's a sad time.
Susie is in contact with Palliative Care Services in both Leeds and St Andrews to see if there is help they can give him. He'll probably be in Leeds for at least another week and then he's planning to return to Fife. He'll probably be in a hospice when/if he gets back to Fife.
Certainly I think his days of living alone in Crail are over.
It's a sad time.
Wednesday 20 August 2008
Dad is at Susie and John's house
Susie went to visit Dad last weekend and found him in a poorly state. She has taken him back down to Leeds with her to help him for a while.
He keeps claiming that 'he's fine' but in reality, he's struggling. The tumour must be growing as he's finding it hard to swallow and is breathing in most of his food. He's getting weaker and weaker.
When he returns to Fife, he'll probably be using a Hospice. Perhaps not full time, but certainly as a day visitor. Susie is talking to the Macmillan nurses to arrange it this week.
He's also been talking about wanting to move into supported accomodation. Not sure if that will happen given the timescales we're working with, but it's worth a try!
Mum is still soldiering on, although declining quickly. We've got the bill for her care in today, so trying to find a way to pay for it. I'm so glad she's being well looked after where she is.
She'd welcome a visit, even if she tires quickly.
Send a hug.
X
He keeps claiming that 'he's fine' but in reality, he's struggling. The tumour must be growing as he's finding it hard to swallow and is breathing in most of his food. He's getting weaker and weaker.
When he returns to Fife, he'll probably be using a Hospice. Perhaps not full time, but certainly as a day visitor. Susie is talking to the Macmillan nurses to arrange it this week.
He's also been talking about wanting to move into supported accomodation. Not sure if that will happen given the timescales we're working with, but it's worth a try!
Mum is still soldiering on, although declining quickly. We've got the bill for her care in today, so trying to find a way to pay for it. I'm so glad she's being well looked after where she is.
She'd welcome a visit, even if she tires quickly.
Send a hug.
X
Thursday 14 August 2008
Waiting.....
Dad has been getting more and more tired. The tumour is no doubt growing aggressively and not in the direction of his voice box or windpipe, but it is growing somewhere.
He's been feeling particularly unwell the last 10 days with a mouth and throat infection. So he's been back at the Doctors for some antibiotics and the pills are making him feel pretty rough too. His throat's been very sore and so he's been trying not to speak to aggravate it.
Susie is going to Crail this weekend to see how he is. Graham was there last weekend and I was there the weekend before. I feel we're witnessing Dad's decline in weekend installments.
Dad may go back to Leeds with Susie for a while for a bit of looking after.
Mum has also been going downhill rapidly.Her last review meeting showed that the progression of her illness is rapid and (now) well documented. Fortunately, the Care Home is still able to meet her needs.
There's been a bit of trouble there though because Mum's watch and engagement ring have gone missing at the Care Home. The Police have been involved and are investigating further, but it is unlikely that either the watch or ring will turn up.
Dad is pretty upset about this. But he keeps up the visits to Mum every other day, while he can.
Keep sending kind thoughts. Dad appreciates kindnesses and support. He may not be up to speaking or visiting, but he's happy to know he's not forgotten.
He's been feeling particularly unwell the last 10 days with a mouth and throat infection. So he's been back at the Doctors for some antibiotics and the pills are making him feel pretty rough too. His throat's been very sore and so he's been trying not to speak to aggravate it.
Susie is going to Crail this weekend to see how he is. Graham was there last weekend and I was there the weekend before. I feel we're witnessing Dad's decline in weekend installments.
Dad may go back to Leeds with Susie for a while for a bit of looking after.
Mum has also been going downhill rapidly.Her last review meeting showed that the progression of her illness is rapid and (now) well documented. Fortunately, the Care Home is still able to meet her needs.
There's been a bit of trouble there though because Mum's watch and engagement ring have gone missing at the Care Home. The Police have been involved and are investigating further, but it is unlikely that either the watch or ring will turn up.
Dad is pretty upset about this. But he keeps up the visits to Mum every other day, while he can.
Keep sending kind thoughts. Dad appreciates kindnesses and support. He may not be up to speaking or visiting, but he's happy to know he's not forgotten.
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