Some context: my mom has cancer and is now receiving hospice care. Previously, she had broken a leg after having a double knee surgery. She was in physical therapy for a month at a nursing home, but after coming home, her once recuperating leg has now become very swollen and tender to the touch. This and her decline in muscle mass have made changing her with little to no pain almost impossible. What was once a one person job has become a three person job, but we still end up causing her pain, and I don’t want to hurt her anymore.
She has recently been prescribed morphine. It’s fast-acting, so I know I can give it to her 15 mins before changing her. My only issue is that sometimes, I don’t have the help to change her or I don’t have enough people to make sure she has support for her very painful leg. And I fear that while it might work, it’s not enough to really curb the pain. I also don’t want her to be so out of it with the morphine afterwards.
I’m basically trying to explore my options. Should I consider asking her nurse to get her a catheter or would a hoist/lift be an option I should consider? Is there something else that I could be missing that I could do instead?
Sorry for the novel, but I wanted to make sure any and all relevant info was in here. I appreciate the help!
P.S. I have found a series of short videos on YouTube done by “Julie the Hospice Nurse” that have been very helpful!
It's like a U shaped foam with cut outs for their legs, so you can gently turn her to one side, and her legs will be stabilized.
I don't know if that will help, or if you can get it under her legs without hurting her.
I'm so sorry she's going thru this.
Fast acting morphine is given specifically for pain. It is the Gold Standard of pain meds. Most all cancer patients get it for their personal comfort, because it is the only drug that works for extreme pain...what it was invented for!
She won't be "out of it" but relaxed instead. Not fearing being touched, anxious and suffering. COMFORT is the goal of Hospice. It will help keep the catheter discomfort (if any) down as well. Ask the Nurse about proper dosing for "breakthrough" pain as well.