Breast Cancer Treatment Drugs
My aunt is 90 and kidneys are failing with other medical problems. She does not want dialysis. What happens?
She lost her husband in March, had to move to assisted living, etc. She hates taking drugs, but has sugar, breast cancer from 1997 returned, kidney problems. She has become weaker and forgetful and just different in the last weeks. Lives in assisted living and has meds administered. What will happen in the days ahead if the kidneys are shutting down, and she does not want dialysis. Will she become bedridden> She does have living will and says what will happen will happen. Doctors know and she is aware of what she wants. I am in charge of her affiars. Can anyone put a time frame on kidney failure without aggressive treatment?
I am not a medical person, but I helped care for my mother-in-law, who had bowel cancer, diabetes, kidney problems, and congestive heart failure. It is basically a question of what gets her first. If she has enough kidney function, she may get by until her breast cancer kills her. If she is getting progressively weaker, she will soon become bedridden. At her age and condition she is probably not a candidate for a kidney transplant. If her kidneys fail completely, she will die within a few days.
You may wish to rent a hospital bed. we found it convenient to make my MIL comfortable.
My mother-in-law had signed a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order. If you do not have one, signed by her, you may wish to look into it. Check with your local Hospice organization, they arranged to visit every week and help us out. They are also a useful source of information.
My MIL passed away almost 4 years ago. We still have her cat.
