How would you handle this?
Okay, some of you know that my father has been ill recently, he will be 74 next month. I found out tonight that he is still vent dependent (it has been almost 2 months). In speaking with his nurse tonight I found that he is considered end-stage. He will never get off the vent.
Dad has been a very ill person for most of his life. He was addicted to many things his entire life, and has suffered severe depression, been hospitalized several times for his depression and takes about 14 different medications a day.
He continues to express to the nurses that he is done. Done fighting. He has fought the good fight all of his life and is just tired. The doctors, nurses and social worker have spoken to Mom about this, but they tell me that she is not quite ready to let go. She still believes that there is still hope.
Dad is full code so if there is a medical emergency they must do all they can to save his life. Mom is the only one who can change him to a DNR as Dad has periods of dementia daily and is not considered of sound mind to make decisions regarding his medical treatment.
I am over 600 miles away from them, and due to school I have not been able to get away to see my parents. Nursing School only allows 2 missed days per semester. So I will be going up within the next couple of weeks, after finals and getting the kids settled here (they don't finish school for another month).
Now, for my dilemma... The nurse and the social worker have asked me to talk to Mom after I get up there and help reinforce his wishes. I just don't know how to approach it.
Sorry, I am rambling, but I just had to get this off my chest. Got to stay strong for my kids, got to focus on finals, and hubby is not much of a listener.
Again, sorry, I just had to vent.