My Mother is 96 and refuses the bipap or cpap. We can barely get her to tolerate the meds from the nebulizer and thats if we just hold the thing above her face. We know this is going ot kill her. I guess I'm just trying to brace for it and understand what to expect. I mean I'm an LPN I know what it will do.. but not how long. We brought her home from inpatient hospice and she actually seems to be getting stronger. Is this just false symptomology of someone ready to go? Anyone have an input or experience?
If there's one thing I've learned from being a hospice nurse, it's that you can never tell WHEN someone is going to pass away.
Sometimes a patient may "rally" (be more alert, have a better appetite or even walk when they haven't) but then they will pass a day or two after that. It's impossible to second guess the time. Only God knows.
Since your mom is very old and has a terminal diagnosis, I would say to enjoy whatever time you have left with her.
It might be a good idea now to think about arrangements for when she passes (which funeral home, burial or cremation, a service (where and who would be invited, etc.). That stuff is so hard to get together in your grief.
Im sorry you and mom have to go through this. May the Lord give her a peaceful passing.
Her nebs at this point are more for relief of symptoms and not to prolong life. If she is fighting a mask, she may only be getting 5% or less of the drug. You described blowby therapy with a mask. There is a lot of literature out there is not recommended because the drug does not get deep enough. You may have better luck when she sleeps to try to get the mask on her
Just keep her comfortable. Offer but do not push. COPD causes much suffering because her body got used to so much shortness of breath years ago. You and I could not tolerate this like she does