Syringe driver

Hi my nan was diagnosed with terminal brain tumour in February and was told she only had weeks to live. She has wowed all the nurses and doctors and is still here with us but she is bed ridden and not really with it, we cant hold a conversation with her or anything but she has been eating and drinking fine. Today McMillan put a syringe driver in as they said liquids were getting into her lungs from medicine and drinks. We have now been told shes not allowed to eat or drink anything. I understand the drinking if it's getting into her lungs although she is very thirsty but why is she not allowed to be fed? Surely this is just going to kill her off as she wont be getting no food or drink now? Sorry for long post just hoping for some answers. 

  • Oh my ...

    I've never heard of that ever  .... please give her sips of water and call Marie Currie or 111 and get advice ..  that seems crule to me ... there's no way I'd let that happen ... please find out Monday from your oncology team and report what they have said ... it really sounds wrong to me.. I'm not medically trained but surely that's not right ... let us know how you go as it would be good to know if this comes up again .. good luck .... Chrissie x

  • Thank you. I feel this is cruel too. I just dont get it at all. I will speak to nurse tomorrow and give an update x

  • I'm sure you just giving her sips of juice even just to wet her mouth cannot hurt ... when my sister had a driver in .. they gave us lolly pop sticks with sponge instead of the lolly ... where we soaked in a light juice and wiped round her mouth every hour or so ...  it can't do no harm, and she'll get distressed if she's so dry ... please let me know ... wetting her mouth will stop the dryness feeling ...

    Isn't life crule ... there's no books to help us through ... sometimes we need to go with our gut feeling ..

    My heart goes out to you ... I lost my sister just a few months ago, so I know how hard it is ... we had to fight the system for her too .. don't think they liked it, but she was our family and we stood firm and so glad we did .. 

    Chrissie x