Last night was a hard, restless night for my dad. He became
very agitated about 4 a.m. and after about an hour finally began to relax again…just
in time to completely soak the bed. He and the bed were changed quickly…but he
was agitated again. He was finally able to relax again around 6 a.m. and is
still sleeping now.
The hospice nurse says that what he is experiencing is
called “End Stage Anxiety”. It is part of the progression of things…and she
cautioned us last week that the time would come very soon when the medication
that we give him for anxiety…will no longer help. I believe that time is here. The
last several times that he has become agitated…it has taken a double dose to
calm him...and even then it took a long time to work.
We continue to be thankful that he doesn’t appear to be in
pain. Although I do question his ability to communicate pain to us…if he were
in pain. His appetite continues to decline. He is only taking a few bites of
baby food now…then clamps his mouth shut.
His strength is completely zapped by even the smallest
things…such as waking up…reaching for someone’s hand…trying to speak. His voice
is mostly only a whisper.
His body shows the effects of all of this…especially
recently. He has always been in very good physical condition…and very muscular.
He worked hard and played hard…very seldom idle. He has lost a ton of weight…and
the skin on his arms and legs hangs…all muscle tone gone.
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