I went ot see Edna today. before I saw her the nurse told me she wasn't really eating, and clearly wa sn't going to eat - unless it was wine gums or crisps. She told me they would just stick to the build up soups for now. She re-assurred me that heroic acton like ng tubes would NOT be on the cards. She warned me Edna was quite confused. That proved to be an understatement. It was indescribably distressing to see her fiddling with things that were not there. At times she couldn't even work ot how to use the drinking beaker with her tea in. She also kept shuffling around the bed so she ended upwith her head off one side and her legs off the other.
She hardly drank anything while I was there - and ate nothing even though I offerred to get her some more wime gums. She had 3 half eaten packets of crisps on her trolley and wasn't interested in them either.
While I was there Dr Goodman came to see her. He is the geriatrician from West Heath who has now looked after her three times. He not only said she would be going to West Heath next week, but has also said he doesn't think she can go back to her flat.This is the first tine she has been under the care of one consultant for consecutive admissions - and he can see the same pattern I have seen. This gave me the chance to say I felt the same - but still have HIM take the flak. But now she can discuss the idea and with whatever bad grace she likes she can finally give way. She can tell herself she is only doing it because the doctor told her. The elephant in the room has finally been pointed out!
Whatever happens now, things are going to be much easier for me in the long run. In the short term they could be tricky .
I still dot see her being discharged from West Heath - it will take a miracle. But I feel as happy as I can be that nothing is or will be done against what I know her wishes to be. I am also happy we can sort out her DNR status when she goes to West Heath.
She was a LOT more confused today than she has been. I dont hink I have ever seen her quite so bad.
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