Thanks Julia - well, the Doctors decided to do the operation today to put Marjory's hip back in, even though her heart remains enlarged - they couldnt wait longer they felt, but warned the family of the high likelihood of it not working out well. But Marjory is a tough old Scottish woman, and it went well and she seems to have come through the operation in good shape!! Amazing. The Doctors have warned it will be a few days of touch and go, but it went better than expected.
So that is some good news!
Oh, that is good news! Sending good wishes for the next few days.
Thanks Julia - well, the Doctors decided to do the operation today to put Marjory's hip back in, even though her heart remains enlarged - they couldnt wait longer they felt, but warned the family of the high likelihood of it not working out well. But Marjory is a tough old Scottish woman, and it went well and she seems to have come through the operation in good shape!! Amazing. The Doctors have warned it will be a few days of touch and go, but it went better than expected.
So that is some good news!
Thats brilliant news Jon. Credit to both Marjory and the wonderful NHS. Wishing her a full recovery.
Definitely !
we hope we may get to visit her (my wife went yesterday) early next week. Her family have all travelled up to visit this weekend (being frank theyd been told to hurry as she wasnt expected to survive much longer) so weve left them to it, obviously , but hopefully she will be fit to see us once they say she is past the danger zone.
it raises a big question of how things will work if/ when she comes out- a 101 year old woman with a hip that was dislocated living on the second Floor of a apartment building with no lifts doesnt feel sustainable to me. Not for us to get involved but presumably the Family needs to be considering options - a care home presumably.
Hope Marjory get the help she needs Jon, its a tough thing at that age but glad to see shes doing better. Sometimes its luck if you get a good care home or not there are some really good facilities out there.
I have a Great Aunt who will be 108 in February if she makes it which makes her currently the 7th oldest person in Scotland and 78th on record in the UK as it stands. Perfectly healthy in a care home in another world in her head of course but fascinating none the less.
Hope Marjory get the help she needs Jon, its a tough thing at that age but glad to see shes doing better. Sometimes its luck if you get a good care home or not there are some really good facilities out there.
I have a Great Aunt who will be 108 in February if she makes it which makes her currently the 7th oldest person in Scotland and 78th on record in the UK as it stands. Perfectly healthy in a care home in another world in her head of course but fascinating none the less.
Wow, that is amazing! Well done to her and I think you are allowed some head space freedom at that age!!
Marjory is all there in her head, totally all there. However, some news today - although the operation was a success and her hip is back, she cant stand. Her heart is too large and her blood pressure drops. The lead consultant cant see a way forwards - if her heard doesnt get stronger, she wont be able to get out of bed; if she cant get out of bed, she cant leave the hospital and go home. The Doctor has implied she may never leave. And the family seem to see that as being likely.
In a catch 22 it seems and so sad. We are going to see her tomorrow but think she is in a situation that is hard to break.
Marjory remains in hospital , it seems her kidneys are failing and they cant do anything to remedy that. My wife is visiting her daily, but we dont anticipate she will last much longer. We are sadly away this weekend for a trip to a show, which feels frivolous.
Hard to know whats for the best, it sounds selfish but if she slips away over the next few days, I dont think that would be a terrible thing.
So sorry to hear this, Jon. I hope they're able to make Marjory comfortable while all this is going on and that she's able to enjoy everyone's visits.
As for being away for the trip, I'm sure Marjory would be the first to tell you to go and enjoy yourselves because, even though she's had a wonderful long life, life is too short not to. And she'll no doubt want to hear all about what you got up to when you get back.
My wife and I went to see Marjory again today - looks like things are declining now, more rapidly. The consultant told us it could be hours or it could be a few days, but it will be soon.
She said, in her experience, it is amazing how many people slip away when their loved ones arent around, almost like they wait for a quiet moment.
We are quite frustrated as the family, who live in Oxford, all went back home yesterday (in fact, it was just the son who had stayed, his family havent been near the hospital in 10 days. He had gone home last Wednesday, came back this Monday and went back again Wednesday, yesterday. To say we are incredulous...).
My wife left him to it the past couple of days, so we hadnt been in since Monday, so it was a shock to see her go downhill. The consultant is quite happy to talk with us - she has permission - and said after her fall, she shock of the disclocated hip at her age (101) was too much for her heart. That hasnt recovered and the kidneys stopped functioning as a consequence and now it has moved on to respiratory issues and a general shutdown.
It sounds very matter of fact, but is very sad. But also a degree of annoyance at the family - we refuse to let her be alone when she goes, so my wife is spending a lot of time there today and the next few days; meanwhile, the family arent committing to coming up.
I'm sure she very much appreciated the care and friendship you and your wife provided her in her last years. I hope knowing that and thinking of the times you spent with her will be some comfort to you both.