This is a complicated one and prob only one that a medic will be able to clarify.
My mother-in-law had a heart attack and after she left hospital was told by a medic not to get too cold or warm. About 9 months after this, she was diagnosed with lung cancer, had chemotherapy and was told last month she is in remission.
She has since come home, has the heating on in the house like a furnace (i cant breathe in there), wears 2 jumpers AND a coat in the house and has now started with stomach pains so she has 2(!!) hot water bottles on her tummy as well as all the other stuff.
We have tried to mention this excess heat thing but she tells us not to fuss.
Could she be putting herself in more danger?
We really need honest answers as this could have serious implications.
I thought about talking to her doctor as he is unaware of all this stuff, but not sure he will discuss this with me due to confidentiality.
2007-02-27 00:09:29 · 6 answers · asked by xxfliteratixx 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
First of all, yes, you should really express your concerns to her Dr. He should have no problem listening. Then at least he would know what is going on even if he couldn't really talk about it with you. Also, if your Mom-in-Law is taking blood thinners, this will make her cold. Also, chemo depletes your body completely and she will be weak and cold natured for quite a while. My father-in- law went through it. I don't think she is putting herself in danger with the excess heat. The heat/cold thing mostly refers to baths and showers and being outside in the elements, like in a snow storm or a heat wave, ya know. Hang in there and be patient, talk to her Dr., especially about the stomach pains, please keep trying to be understanding, I know it's hard, but she is going through a huge deal and needs her families support.
2007-02-27 00:24:12 · answer #1 · answered by Texas Pineknot 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obviously your M-I-L has been given warning after warning of how bad getting cold is for her condition. But yes, this is like OTT.
Explain to her,... getting to warm will make the blood rush in and under the skin, keeping energy given by the blood for other tasks like digesting food not available. This is probably why her tummy hurts right now.
It is more important to keep her mind stable and feeling secure about keeping her chest warm, and the difference between warm and choking hot.
It will help better by drinking warm water to reach "in" and keep the lungs and stomach feeling good.
And yes, the body needs to breath, keeping it covered and "hot" will suffocate it.
Her doctor SHOULD tell her these things if you approach him/her and request as such.
2007-02-27 02:45:47 · answer #2 · answered by Maa Su 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Her doctor may not discuss it with you...but...he needs this imformation in order to treat her in the correct manner....that is the least you can do....(It may just be like me, after chemo and radiotherapy, I cannot stand the cold...I too, have to rug up and keep warm as the cold actually hurts)...This may or may not be the case so it is advisable to let her doc know....hope all is well..
2007-02-27 00:16:51 · answer #3 · answered by ozzy chik... 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Her doctor does not need to discuss things with you for you to mention to him what she is doing. Simply make an appointment and explain to him who you are and what is going on. Tell him you are aware of patient confidentiality, but you felt he needed the information you have and you are not sure that your mother will tell him.
2007-02-27 00:14:35 · answer #4 · answered by Lost in Erehwon 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
see if your surgery has a community nurse , she may be able to visit her and if their is any concern she will bring in a doctor,hope this helps. but remember your mother in law can decline any help.
2007-02-28 01:21:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the doc will discuss it with you if he is aware you are the carer of her
2007-02-27 00:13:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋