ominous developments

Got a text from Mum this evening to say that Dad wasn't at all well and wasn't responding to stimuli. EEssentially he was asleep but not waking up. He responded to pain i.e. he went "ow!" but that was it. Dad had been fine this morning, he had had a good breakfast but didn't finish lunch and skipped his midday pills.

I got to the hospital at around 19h00 to find Dad in bed, protective sides up, a plasma substitute drip and a catheter in and him "asleep". Mum says she got there at three-ish as usual to find Dad asleep in his side-chair. She left him be but got concerned when he wouldn't wake up for her. She called the Nursing team over and they got him back into bed using the Patient Hoist. He didn't stir.

They took blood pressures and pulse etc and called for the Doctors. Blood pressure *very* low, hence the plasma drip - designed to increase blood pressure quickly and then followed it up with a saline drip.

When the Doctors came round they took Mum aside and said that it is not unusual for patients in this situation to have their heart just stop. He also said that they could resuscitate him but that it might cause further damage to Dad.

Mum then said one of bravest things I have ever heard her say - no. She said that they should not resuscitate him - let him go. It's what he would want. I totally and utterly agree. If he goes down hill from here then so be it. But no pain. No more pain. Let him be.

If there is any change overnight they will be in touch with Mum first but now they have my numbers to call if need be.