Hi my mum has severe MS and has had it for almost 30 years. She is now at what is called end stage MS? She is struggling to swallow food and liquids. In addition for the last month she has been very poorly with a urinary tract infection/chest infections. As a result she has drunk very little and eaten very little for the last month. She is very anxious and restless. She has been calling out for my dad who passed away 2 years ago and saying things like 'I've had a good run haven't I' She has also decided she does not want to return to hospital or be peg fed. The nursing home (not the doctor) have told is they think it is the beginning of the end and it's about making her comfortable now. However 2 days ago her meds were reviewed. She was given stronger antibiotics, a sedative to calm her down and a morphine patch for pain. End of life meds have been discussed but not used. Since yesterday she has seemed a lot brighter and more positive. She has eaten a mashed up boiled egg for breakfast and some soup for lunch. Yesterday she passed 800ml of urine as opposed to 200ml the day before. She is talking better and says she feels better. I just don't know what to think now. Is she 'rallying? Is this a temporary improvement? Or is she responding to the meds and actually getting better? Has the sedative that's calmed her down masking the other problems? Is it likely that she will still die? Any help or advice would be appreciated?
All of us will die. That's a "for sure". Try not to dwell on that and simply be present for her when she is feeling better. Respect her end of life wishes, when it comes to that and try not to borrow trouble.
God bless you and your family during this trying time, may He touch each one of you and give you Mercy to endure what is to be.
Focus more on the here and now. Actually none of us really has any guarantee of living, especially in the turbulent times in which we now live. So enjoy each day, tell her what you want to tell her, and make the days count, however long they last.