Hi,
What you are doing in regards to treatment (none) is acceptable considering the circumstances but only if you make absolutely sure he is out of pain. You need to be at a cancer center, or have a hospice service come into your/his home. Please say you are doing that. I know you love and want the best for your grandfather, but he does not have and should not have to endure pain. Reread Christine's post.
Anne

Sai,
in addition to the pain meds, antipsychotic and anti-anxiety medications may help with the the altzheimer's distress. You will need to be very sure that the doctors are aware of all the perscriptions being given. The medications that Christine has suggested can make a huge difference as to whether his last days are comfortable and peace or a nightmare.
My best wishes to you and all of your family.
Maria

I think being in India the standard is to care for the elderly in home, a hospice service may or may not be available depending on whether they are in a big town. Your grandfather needs to have pain management likely he is not sleeping because he is confused and in pain. Do talk to your drs. And ask for strong pain medication this will likey help him sleep and not suffer. The suggestions given for the type of medication is good. There may be different names for them in India. Good luck with everything.

Hi Christine, Anne, Maria, Cheryld, & David and Everybody else,


I really am very thankful for the suggestions and advice you people have given in your last posts in this thread.

I completely agree the suggestions would have worked if I would have some months ago. But, the today position of my grandpa is I believe his entire lower jaw is gone, i mean its so soft as there's no bone. And he has lots of other openings on his cheek side which is exposing his tissue. We used to give him fluids till last one week. Only a small portion of fluids would go in due to the openings formed in his jaw now which is becoming more and more visible now.

We have been consulting the local general physician from some days and he has given tranquilizers (tablets) for making him sleep as he is behaving in very odd manner for putting him sleep atleast for few hours.

Now, doctor has suggested to given a injection and said it would sedate him for couple of hours (2-3 hrs). And asked not to force in providing any food (even liquids) by force.

Could you people help me understand the suggestions given by the doctor. I know my loving grandpa maybe having only few more days left with him. What else can we do to make his suffering less during his last days.

Please come up with your advice or suggestions as this would help me in interacting with doctors as such. Or how to proceed further in dealing with this situation at my home.


Thanks,
Sai Krishna

Is there such a thing as hospice care in your country? We have that here to help with terminally ill patients. It helps by keeping them comfortable so they are not in pain. I wish there was more similarities with our countries medical care so I could help you more. Hopefully one of our members from India will see your posts and be able to assist you better.

Best wishes!!!

Could somebody from INDIA suggest on this !!!


Regards,
Sai Krishna

I have sent a private message to one of our members from India. Hope they will be along soon to offer you some assistance.

Hi Christine,

Thanks a lot for that quick help.

I would be watching out for any response as I really need some assistance.

Thanks,
Sai

Hi Sai, I have shared my contact details on Private Message. Please feel free to get in touch. My honest opinion here is that you should opt for palliative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to improve quality of life along with some pain killers.

India do have hospice facility but I am not sure if your family would be inclined to opt for. One I know is in Rishikesh that my dad's Onco surgeon visits.

You can read here: http://www.gangapremhospice.org/

In Hyderabad you have: http://www.sparshhospice.org/our-team.html

Hi Eshwar,

Thanks for your message. I have shared my contact details on private message to you.

And as per the current situation, I see there is no treatment being suggested by the doctors whatsoever.

But, I'm not sure if we should really opt for a hospice. I can understand all your suggestions here for hospice. But, my grandpa is in a position where he is not talking, not understanding anything or recognizes anyone. I feel it would be putting him to more discomfort moving into hospice if he is restricting communicating with strangers.

Now there's a 1.5 cms aperture on his chin which may grow larger. Already he is not taking any fluids, but still getting up and managing to move in the house.

I am really not sure if I should be posting all these here, but just posting to get any possible suggestions on how to move ahead.

Thanks,
Sai