First of all, please let me say that I am extremely sorry that I couldn't keep everyone updated about Sue's progress, or lack thereof. My wife and I got in from the US on Wednesday after my Mum called us, and we went straight to the hospital As with many UK hospitals there was no phone data or wifi and we could not post online except on the rare occasions when we went to my parents, by which time that was the last of our worries. Anyway I know that many of you are very fond of Sue and have given her great support over the years, and wanted to give you my account of her last few days.
She was comfortable for most of the time, and the staff in the Georgina Unit at Russell's Hall Hospital were fantastic in responding to and anticipating her needs. Whenever she complained of pain they immediately administered appropriate pain relief.
She really did go downhill very quickly. She contracted ARDS a week or so ago and it was brutal. Her temp spiked repeatedly despite ever stronger antibiotics. Our first couple of days here found her still "mostly Sue", but with increasing levels of confusion and frustration as she progressively lost the ability to communicate what she was feeling. By Saturday morning, after several days of confusion and frustration, she was effectively in a coma and very comfortable. On Friday night we discussed her situation with the staff and a palliative care regime was implemented.
Her twelve year old daughter said goodbye to her and kissed her Saturday lunch time. My fantastic mum Megan, my wife Denise and I spent the rest of the time holding, sponging, kissing, stroking and loving her until she slipped away very peacefully at 11.10am today. She looked beautiful and peaceful and I am confident that she never suffered any pain in her final two days on this earth.
I already miss her like you would not believe. She was my only sibling and I was her big brother. I always believed it was my job to protect her. Sadly, in the face of Myeloma, I could not do that. What I can do is try to generate support to fight this disease and that I will do.
I thank all of you for the good you do through this forum. I know that it helped her a great deal and I wish I had come here sooner. Good luck with your own fights against this evil disease and, as Tom says, although it's a bit of a struggle for me today, "…onwards and upwards".
Garry
GarryM 10 years, 9 months ago.
