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krjarboe · May 1, 2014, 06:00 PM

My father is a heart patient. He has had 9 heart attacks, 14 heart catheterizations, and a triple bypass. His last heart cath was in February. He had a heart attack in January and another in February. He's suddenly started having severe pain at the groin site of the cath. It obviously is long healed. His left shoulder is also starting to ache badly but not down his arm as if he's having a heart attack. What could be the cause of the sudden cath site pain? Could he be having another heart attack? He does not intend on going to the doctor or hospital and has decided to allow whatever happens to happen but I'm not sure if this is the time I should be with him or if this could be something else.

smoothy · May 1, 2014, 06:15 PM

Quic question? Why are you online asking this instead getting him to the ER or calling 911? I know he doesn't WANT to go....but what if it IS something serious? But if its indigestion or a heart attack...we can't diagnose online....

krjarboe · May 1, 2014, 07:16 PM

Long story but hospice has been called in. They come 3 days a week and come more as needed. With that, he agreed that he's not calling the hospital. Has a DNR, Living Will, whatever else is needed to say that he's done going to the hospital. Miraculously, he's lasted longer than thought but for the last month, I've been dropping everything and running over there every time he feels strange. I live 45 minutes away, I'm a full time student in the middle of finals and I have 3 kids in sports and honestly, I'm tired. I've been through so much physically and mentally with all of this. What I'm wondering is if anyone else has experienced this and what it could possibly be. I guess, just to make myself feel that I haven't made a mistake that I haven't dropped everything and driven over.

Originally Posted by smoothy

Quic question? Why are you online asking this instead getting him to the ER or calling 911? I know he doesn't WANT to go....but what if it IS something serious? But if its indigestion or a heart attack...we can't diagnose online....

krjarboe · May 1, 2014, 07:19 PM

I should also note, if it's a heart attack, that's OK. We know he's going to die, I just hate not knowing the signs of heart failure, the time frames and such. It sucks. In typical hospice situations, you are told, you have X amount of months to live and you simply hope you make it that long. With him, it's simply, you probably won't survive your next heart attack and who knows how long it will be. He's quickly getting worse. I just don't know if this is one of those "signs".

Originally Posted by krjarboe

Long story but hospice has been called in. They come 3 days a week and come more as needed. With that, he agreed that he's not calling the hospital. Has a DNR, Living Will, whatever else is needed to say that he's done going to the hospital. Miraculously, he's lasted longer than thought but for the last month, I've been dropping everything and running over there every time he feels strange. I live 45 minutes away, I'm a full time student in the middle of finals and I have 3 kids in sports and honestly, I'm tired. I've been through so much physically and mentally with all of this. What I'm wondering is if anyone else has experienced this and what it could possibly be. I guess, just to make myself feel that I haven't made a mistake that I haven't dropped everything and driven over.

smoothy · May 1, 2014, 07:26 PM

In this case maybe Hospice care is best... they would be a better judge of things being they can see and check him out... and notice a decline. But things can also just end rather unexpectedly and abruptly. It would be wonderful if we all know when our time would come so we could put things in order and arrainge to say our goodbyes. Once in a while someone does get that chance... many times you don't. I'd recommend not waiting if there is anything you wanted to say.....you never know if you will get a chance if you wait.