My mother had multiple myeloma. Over the past 13 months she endured 3 different treatments all of which had significant side effects or were ineffective, however she was willing to try whatever her consultant suggested might work for her. The medical and nursing care throughout the time was excellent - considerate, well informed and sympathetic. When they realised that nothing further could be done she was happy that she should return home to spend her final days.
As her family we were happy to support her as best we could and that is what we did. She was discharged from hospital on a Wednesday. She was weak and in need of 24 hour support. Palliative care services were promised but could not be mustered until 12 days later. A hospital bed could be provided but not until a week after discharge. We nursed my mother at home with minimal district nurse support until her death one week after being discharged. This was before any of the additional services could be provided. We were exhausted but proud to have coped with her death. I felt that support services should have been able to be arranged sooner so that they could have been of help.
"End of life care"
About: District Nursing District Nursing Ninewells Hospital / Hospital Palliative Care Team Ninewells Hospital Hospital Palliative Care Team DD1 9SY
Posted by gruffthree (as ),
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