My great-grandmother was admitted to the hospital Mon. morning. We have just recently discovered that she has congestive heart failure. 2 1/2 years ago her cariologist informed us that her valve was closing and could close at any time, there would be no way of knowing. She is 96 years old. My family is all located in Michigan, I live in Georgia, it is a 13 hr. drive. I want to be there to say goodbye. My family is concerned with the unexpected cost of me coming up there and missing work, etc. and are trying not to worry me. The doctor offered to send my great-grandmother home with a diuretic, but she keeps falling and my grandparents cannot lift her. After learning this the doctor said well than let's keep her here and take it one day at a time. They're doing an ultrasound today to see how serious the condition is. They do know she has fluid in her lungs and registered 6000 when it's normally 0-850. Should I rush to MI or wait here in GA? How much time does she have aprox.?
2007-03-20 05:21:00 · 2 answers · asked by seriously2sweet4u 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
CHF is different in everyone who has it. Age is a big factor and in your case age is against you here. Fluid build up in the lungs will happen , then in the kidneys and liver and so on.. There are meds, and different diets to control CHF. But again 96 years old doesn't help anything.
But it all comes down to this. If you want to say good-bye, go do it. It will be worth it. Do not say good bye like she is going to die, but like a hello how are you feeling. It will show you care and love them. Work will be there and the bills will go away. The memory of telling your grandmother you love her will last forever.
2007-03-20 05:49:35 · answer #1 · answered by siccivic 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is no way of telling how long she has. However, considering her age, it would be wise for you to make the trip now. The elderly can take a turn for the worse so quickly, and if she does they will most likely not use heroic measures to keep her alive. If you want to see her alert and oriented, or at least awake, now is the best time for you to do that.
If you plan on leaving tomorrow, you may not have to rush as much as you would if they told you she's taken a turn for the worse. Your boss should be able to understand if you explain what is happening. Hopefully you have some vacation time, or maybe sick/leave time you can use so you'll still get paid.
Good luck!
2007-03-20 13:42:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋