Our stories
Yesterday was a terrible day @TAB, @Owlunar. @Former-Member @MoonGal, @Former-Member
My Dad went rapidly downhill around lunch-time. Finally, just after the lunch,the district nurse came to do her 'first assesment' on Dad. This is after he had already been home for 5 days ... we had had absolutely no help of support from anyone during those 5 days, other than a whole lot of care equipment being dropped off at the house - including an oxygen machine.
The private hospital who discharged my Dad told him how to use the oxygen machine, but when my Bro brought my Dad home by car, it became obvious that Dad had no idea how to use it! The hospital assured us that my Dad was in "full charge of his faculties" - which I categorically dispute. Dad had no idea about anything. He had already been forbidden from driving a car by his doctor.
Anyway, the district nurse spent a total of about 10 minutes with Dad, who was more or less only semiconscious by then.... and said "I really think he should be in hospital".
Freaking hallelujah!!
I said straight away - "I'll call the hospital right now." It was the quickest phone call I've ever made in my life.!!
(The private hospital tried to fob me off as best they could, but I would not take no for an answer.
Then the district nurse said, "I don't even think you need to wait.... call the ambulance."
And so the ambulance was called. May God smile eternally on all ambulances, as this one was even quick- maybe about 10 or 15 minutes. (Nothing like the hour-long response times that you read about in the paper.)
I rode with Dad in the back of the ambulance to the private hospital, who after a series of phone calls (mainly from the ambulance paramedics) had agreed to take Dad.
My poor Dad seemed distressed and was breathing heavily and looked as pale as a ghost. However, he did agree to go into hospital. (not that I would have given him any choice at that point... just seeing the condition he was in.)
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I would just ask people to be very aware of just how harrowing it is to attempt to care for a dying person at home, without any real support and without all carers involved being in agreement about that care. I would suggest that people do not agree to discharge their dying relative home form hospital (no matter how pushy the hospital staff are- and this was a private hospital, too) without all the supports in place and without all the information available taken into account.
Iy really is a terrifying experience and I believe it will take me some time to process it.
Omstars @Sahara
Thank God you were on top of things - that you were there when the district nurse came - and yeah 
And the ambulance came quickly - I guess the stories we hear are from people who have had to wait - and wait - etc - I have been lucky I guess but I have had pretty quick service from the paramedics and I am glad your Dad did too
And thanks for the heads-up for people who might need to know about aged parents - that must have been more than harrowing Sahara and it will take time to process it
My Dad and I had a long-running joke about dying or getting older then really old - it had to be better than the alternative - but how did we know? It was one of the things that frustrated Mum but I am glad Dad and I had our long-running and repetitive jokes
Sounds as if your Dad needs more care - maybe he isn't ready - ,maybe whatever alternitive seems better at one time doesn't seem better at another
I care heaps Sahara - keep posting
Dec
