Hello. I am helping my father care for his live-in companion. She has a blood cancer, dysphagia (cannot swallow anything now), COPD and is on oxygen, is 5'0" and weighs less than 52 pounds. She has had a PEG tube since June but now anything that goes in either a) leaks out or b) she vomits out. She has refused food and medication the last two days. We haven't been weighing her diapers - just learned about doing that on here.
We will be trying to get the hospice process going tomorrow. I am not sure what to do now but wait. She asks for water and we give it but she can't get much down due to the dysphagia - should we be giving water in the PEG tube or no? (We have been but don't want to make what is coming harder).
Everything I read it seems like she would have weeks to go before she passes, but at 50# weight, frankly I am not sure how she is still with us. Any advice, reassurance, help is appreciated.
My father had dysphagia, and it affected his ability for intake during his last weeks. Water was administered only by little drops in a spoon. (He didn't have a PEG tube so that wasn't an issue.)
I wouldn't take the chance of adding water through a PEG tube, especially at this stage of end of life. But I think you are right in getting hospice on board ASAP so that these kinds of questions can be raised with medical people, as opposed to other caregivers.
I wish you, your father and his companion as much peace and solace as is possible during these challenging times.
Also perhaps try thickening her liquids with the product Thick it, as that should help her be able to swallow better.
Eventually she will no longer ask for drink, but while she is I would try my best to give her something thickened.
It certainly sounds like death can't be too far off, and I commend you and your father for caring for her in her final days.
I wish you all God's strength and peace in the days ahead.
Poor thing, I can't imagine she'll last long. You can call a hospice company 24/7, so don't wait until tomorrow.
Have you tried simple popsicles? They melt slowly and are cold and refreshing. When dad was alert, he was thirsty but would vomit up anything he ate or drank. I hit upon the idea of popsicles and that's all he 'ate' for the last week of his life. I actually enjoyed the times I went to see him and fed him a popsicle. It took TIME, which is what I personally needed to have the strength to deal with losing him.