13 April
After a week in CCU, my dad died this morning, shortly after Mum and I arrived at the hospital.
Mum and I had met yesterday with the intensive care specialist who'd reviewed Dad's history. With the long history of asthma, emphysema and COPD, Dad's chances of recovering to go home were poor; he'd likely be hospitalized with breathing support indefinitely, and would be very restricted.
MD asked if we thought he'd want that, and we said no. So we agreed on comfort measures; removing the ventilator but providing O2 support, pain relief, and hydration, but DNR. The MD's experience was that Dad would pass within a day or two. He would not be awake to struggle for breath (the most terrifying experience for him) and he wouldn't be in pain.
The vent was removed last night, and his breathing slowed and grew more irregular. We visited at midnight, when the nurse called to say his breathing had changed, but went home at 2.30, and then showed up shortly after 9am, after another call to say his breathing was changing again.
I'm very glad we had a painless option for the end of Dad's life. But you don't ever want to see someone die this way. I'm going to be a right bastard towards any smokers from now on.
Mum and I had met yesterday with the intensive care specialist who'd reviewed Dad's history. With the long history of asthma, emphysema and COPD, Dad's chances of recovering to go home were poor; he'd likely be hospitalized with breathing support indefinitely, and would be very restricted.
MD asked if we thought he'd want that, and we said no. So we agreed on comfort measures; removing the ventilator but providing O2 support, pain relief, and hydration, but DNR. The MD's experience was that Dad would pass within a day or two. He would not be awake to struggle for breath (the most terrifying experience for him) and he wouldn't be in pain.
The vent was removed last night, and his breathing slowed and grew more irregular. We visited at midnight, when the nurse called to say his breathing had changed, but went home at 2.30, and then showed up shortly after 9am, after another call to say his breathing was changing again.
I'm very glad we had a painless option for the end of Dad's life. But you don't ever want to see someone die this way. I'm going to be a right bastard towards any smokers from now on.