Hi guys, my grandfather who is 89 at the time got pneumonia 10 days ago and got sent to the hospital and put on antibiotics. he also had a low oxygen level. Today he is still the same, or worse and they have changed his antibiotics 3 times. Now the doctor says his lungs are very weak and needs a breathing tube. He wants to put him in hospice now. Im really confused because before all this he was in good health and from 10 days forward he's doing really bad. If anyone has been through this or can relate please write back. Ive never had anyone close to me die and i cant imagine my life without my grandpa. Should i send him to another hospital to get a second opinion? Thanks for reading this, god bless.
2007-05-04 06:50:30 · 10 answers · asked by lmt_gisselle 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Pray for the best and prepare for the worst. Pneumonia is extremely dangerous for the elderly. He definitely needs around the clock nursing.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
2007-05-04 06:54:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am so sorry you are going through this. It is a very difficult time, did your Grandfather ever discuss life support with you previously? Do you know what his wishes would be? If so and you know he doesn't want to be kept alive artificially then I would consider that.
This summer my Mother passed away. She was in remission from cancer, she was fine perfectly okay at 59 and went to work right up until the day she was in the hospital. She started throwing up suddenly. We went into the doctor and learned her cancer had come back, a lymph node burst and spreading cancer throughout her body and there was nothing more they could do. Talk about a shock! She had been at work that very day! She was transferred to hospice care and it was wonderful. They treated her with diginity and respect and helped us through the entire situation. I was able to stay with her the entire time morning noon and night for 5 weeks. I will never forget how wonderful hospice care was to her and helped her deal with the pain.
It would not hurt to tell the hospital you want a second opinion, they won't need to transfer him another doctor can be called to look at the case. If anything it will help you feel better. If this doctor agrees then I would consider hospice care. They will make sure he is comfortable and allow him to die with diginity. IF he gets better in hospice care by some miracle they can send him home, while we were at the hospice twice 2 people were transferred out due to better health. I would look for a non profit hospice if available. They will also have counseling for you if you need it.
My prayers go out to you both! My grandmother is 96 and I am so worried that she won't be here long now that my mother is gone.
2007-05-07 20:03:38 · answer #2 · answered by Wicked Good 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My father passed away at the age of 82 from ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). He started out the same as your grandfather. He had a cold that progressed to pneumonia. They put him in a hospital and his condition did not respond to massive doses of antibiotics. Finally, as a last resort, they convinced him to go on a ventilator to help his weak lungs. He demanded in writing, before they put him on the vent, that they would only leave him on it 7 days. His condition remained the same and on the 7th day, they shut off the vent and he died within a couple of minutes. If the doctors want to try a vent on your grandfather, make sure they set a time frame (say one week) and see what happens. Sometimes the vent helps the lungs enough that the person can recover. Sometimes it goes the way it did for my Dad. Give your grandfather a chance to recover, but limit the days on the vent so he doesn't suffer needlessly. I am sorry you, your grandfather, and your family are going through this.
2007-05-04 19:52:25 · answer #3 · answered by Barry M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same thing happened to my grandfather at age 88. One day he is working in the yard, then catches a light cold, turned to pneumonia and the next thing we new, 2 weeks later he was gone. Go stay by his side, tell him your love him, hold his hand and offer comfort. This will mean more to him then any antibiotic or hospice care. Chances are he is not coming out of this and if he has his senses about him, he probably knows it too. Just remember, you won't get a second chance to say all you might want to, so say it now.
Sure he could pull out of it, but honesty ay 89 with sever unresponsive pneumonia, you need to plan for the worst. God bless!
2007-05-04 09:45:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a registerd nurse and wish I could say something to be of more help but, unfortunelty due to your grandfathers age this is not an uncommon occurance. As we age our immune systems just cannot do the work that they did when we were young. Also our bodies simply cannot recover as quickly. As the antibiotics are apparently not working a second opinion will probably end with the same result. Regarding the hospice issue: Hospice is a great service for those people, and their families, that are not going to recover. They are even there to help for up to a year after you loved one has passed to answer questions, listen, and help you know that you are not alone. That said you and everyone has to be ready for that decision and you should not let anyone rush you to make it. Take your time and make the right decision for you and your family. The important thing to remember, if no one has said this yet, there is no wrong decision in this. Hope this helps. If you have more questions I would be happy to assit with them as well as I have lost both grandparents and my father I know this is very tough. God Bless and again let me know if there is anything I can do.
2007-05-04 07:02:40 · answer #5 · answered by eaglelover_1967 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
89 is a ripe old age. Many people don't make it that long - in fact, nobody in my entire family has made it to 89! You should make sure he knows how much you love him, and let nature take its course. If you want to send him to another hospital, go for it - but he might not be comfortable moving around from doctor to doctor and getting tubes stuck everywhere. 100 Years ago the average lifespan for the average (european/white) person was around 40 years old. A lot of places in the world the average lifespan is still that.
Just be happy he got to live a long and healthy life, be there for him, and let him know that you love him lots. That's all you can really do.
GL and remember you will go through this feeling many more times the more people you love, but that is no reason to not love.
2007-05-04 06:59:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I truly understand how confused you feel at this time. I have seen many people die because I am a retired doctor of Naturopathic medicine. so let me speak truthfully with you. It's good that your grandfather was doing good before this struck him. He enjoyed himself and that is what counts. pneumonia often strikes very suddenly. I know you can't imagine your life without your grandfather, but it's really his time to go. Do not send him to another hospital. Spend as much time by his side and speak to him even if he does not acknowledge it. Keep telling him how much you love him because he will be hearing it in his spirit.
I've enclosed a link for you where you can light a candle and say a prayer for your grandfather. The candle will stay lit for two days.
I lost my father to pneumonia and I didn't know how I would live without him. I miss him every day of my life, but I made sure I let him know how I felt before he passed.
My thoughts are with you,
Billie77
2007-05-04 06:58:30 · answer #7 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, the possiblity is there. Pneumonia is fluid in your lungs, and outside air contains germs etc. that can further infect you. I'd stay in, and get lots of rest...you kinda need your lungs to live! Stay away from anyone with even the slightest cold, your immune system is WAY down right now.
2016-05-20 05:33:53 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is old. This happens to a lot of older people and unfortunately it doesn't look good since pneumonia is usually fatal at such an age. I am so sorry for you and I hope he does pull through. I will pray for you and your grandfather. I lost my grandfather when I was younger and I know how much it hurts. It never hurts to get a second opinion. God Bless
2007-05-04 06:57:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
im sorry to hear that. i lost my mother and you cant be afraid of death, you should just respect it. life will go on and you should be thankful that he has lived such a long life... all that you can really do is try to make sure his life ends as happily as possible okay?
god bless you and i will pray for you and your grandfather. you can also email me at rgrell@yahoo.com
2007-05-04 06:55:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋