I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Psim on March 22, 2008, 08:23:09 PM

Title: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Psim on March 22, 2008, 08:23:09 PM
I got an email from my cousin today saying that my uncle had decided to stop dialysis and was saying goodbye to friends and family for the next few days, and would love to hear from me. I phoned him -- he seemed in good spirits and was surrounded by family. It was an odd, but good conversation. He clearly didn't want it to be sad or difficult, and I took my cue from him (it's his death, if he wants laughter and not tears, I'll do my best). I was shook up though. He's a great guy. He's in his late eighties and has had a very full life (eight kids -- who all adore him!). It seems like  good way to die: when you feel ready, surrounded by love. But it's sad nonetheless.

Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: okarol on March 22, 2008, 08:25:05 PM
It is sad, but thankfully he has a family who respects his wishes.
Here's a {{HUG}} for you Psim  :cuddle;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: charee on March 22, 2008, 08:25:44 PM
 :cuddle;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Sluff on March 22, 2008, 08:36:59 PM
We are here if you or any family member needs a place to vent or ask questions. I honestly believe he has the right to do it his way under his terms and what a wonderful family to understand this.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: kitkatz on March 22, 2008, 10:33:59 PM
Letting go of a family member is tough.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: rose1999 on March 23, 2008, 12:35:16 AM
He is blessed to have a family who understand his wishes and accept them.  Bless you all at this tough time and know that we are here if you need us.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Rerun on March 23, 2008, 04:59:50 AM
I admire him for going with dignity.  Being brave enough to say "Stop The Madness".   I hope it goes fast for him/them.

Here is a hug for you.                       :cuddle;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: keefer51 on March 23, 2008, 05:11:55 AM
I agree with you Rerun, I hope it goes fast too.





EDITED: Removed all caps - Sluff/Admin





Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: lola on March 23, 2008, 05:41:29 AM
 :cuddle; :cuddle;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: CW on March 23, 2008, 06:08:01 AM
 :big hug:
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: willieandwinnie on March 23, 2008, 06:16:24 AM
Psim  :grouphug; we are here for you.
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: paddbear0000 on March 23, 2008, 09:37:27 AM
I'm so sorry psim. I hope goes peacefully and as comfortably as possible.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: KT0930 on March 23, 2008, 10:50:55 AM
I'm so sorry, Psim. Knowing he has lived a good life and is surrounded by family who loves him is all any of us can ask for at the end.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Psim on March 23, 2008, 11:24:36 AM
Thanks so much for your support and  :grouphug; It makes such a difference to have a place where I can get so much understanding. You all seem to really get my mixed emotions. I feel really sad to lose him, but at the same time I can only admire him for how he's lived his life and how he's facing his death.  I sure hope the next few days go ok, and the hospice folks can keep him out of pain. I try to remember the words of my brother, who worked for a long time as an ambulance attendant. He says, even though the end of life is sometimes racked with pain and fear, we can still see through that to its dignity, meaning and beauty. But damn, I don't want him to suffer.

Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: ODAT on March 23, 2008, 05:49:23 PM
psim you and your family are in my prayers. May they do all they can to help him go peacefully. As someone who is in a place where their loved one has hinted many times they don't want to start, it is hard and quite understandable to have mixed emotions. Stopping dialysis is a very soulfully deep decision. :cuddle;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: mysty on March 23, 2008, 07:17:14 PM
A very difficult decision to make on your uncle's part.. a loving understanding family that will make his choice go as he wishes..
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: kidney4traci on March 23, 2008, 07:22:03 PM
I agree, what a tough decision and you have a wonderful family who would agree to let him deal with his life choice his way. I hopw you all can support each other as easily through this time and after he is gone.  Life is meant to be lived, and it sounds like he had a good and full life.   :grouphug; :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: paris on March 23, 2008, 08:09:47 PM
Psim, I am sorry for your pain.   How marvelous, though, to be his age, with a loving strong family to help him in his last journey.  I can't think of a better way to leave this world. It sounds like he had a good life and raised a good family.  I hope when it is my time, I am surrounded by those who mean the most to me.   But, I know it is never easy to say goodbye and I know you are very sad.  I will keep your family in my prayers.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: devon on March 24, 2008, 06:12:33 AM
My friend at 89 had suffered with Congestive Heart Failure. She was in an endless cycle of going into the hospital only to be discharged feeling better and then a couple months later repeating.  She decided that she'd had enough and stopped all meds and asked that she not be admitted again under any circumstances.  She passed in her sleep a couple weeks later. 

It is often WE who need to accept that the end must come more than then one at an advanced age making the difficult decision.

-Devon
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: rose1999 on March 24, 2008, 06:21:27 AM

It is often WE who need to accept that the end must come more than then one at an advanced age making the difficult decision.

-Devon

How true.
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Ohio Buckeye on March 24, 2008, 08:51:15 AM
I'm sorry Psim.
I pray he is comfortable and free of pain.
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Psim on March 24, 2008, 12:27:42 PM
Thanks again to everyone. Your support means so much. And I'm thinking of you, ODAT. It's a hard hard place to be, I know. Wishing you and your whole family all the best.
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Slywalker on March 24, 2008, 05:38:31 PM
Psim - so sorry.  I have no words of wisdom for you.   You and your family are in my prayers. 

Big hugs   :grouphug;

Sandyb
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: RichardMEL on March 26, 2008, 07:12:56 AM
*hugs* to psim.

just over 2 years ago when my mother was suffering from various things in hospital and things looked grim I happened to be there when she told the doctors to end the treatment so she could go with some form of dignity and not fight for every breath or against medication so strong it was destroying her kidneys and liver. That was one hell of a shock let me tell you HOWEVER seeing the peace she was in with her decision and the way SHE was able to say goodbye to us(family) and to organise things she wanted (eg: telling us exactly how she wanted her funeral service, etc) was important. When we could see how at peace she was with her decision - that she was done here... well that was what was important to me and us and what made it easier to handle.

I admire both your uncle's decision and courage as well as that of your family to support him. I have no doubt having his family's love and support makes it that much easier for him to go in the way HE wants.

I hope there is not too much pain or discomfort when the time comes. For my mother it was mercifully just a few days on morphene....
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: The Wife on March 26, 2008, 08:14:41 AM
There are times when words just don't convey the feelings in our hearts.  During these times, we wish we could just sit beside someone and speak from the depth of our being.

I sit with you in silence.   :grouphug;

Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: st789 on March 26, 2008, 09:00:55 AM
Live a full live. 

Prays for smooth going.
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: NolaGail on March 26, 2008, 09:22:07 AM
 :big hug: Please take heart in knowing that while this is not easy on anyone, you (the family) are fulfilling his wishes.

My prayers are with you and your family during this time  :grouphug;.

NolaGail
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: MyssAnne on March 26, 2008, 10:02:22 AM
 He's going the way I would like to go, as I direct it, not as a hospital directs it. It takes a lot of courage to do so, but he's looking out for his family right now, knowing they would rather see him this way, than a prisoner of tubes and machinery. May he rest in peace, and may your family, and you, be at peace, knowing he made the decision for you, as well as for him.

 :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Psim on March 29, 2008, 11:54:55 AM
My uncle died peacefully yesterday, after being in a deep, calm sleep for the last two days. My aunt and three of my cousins were with him. I'm so glad his last days were easy, but more than that, I'm glad he had such a full, good life, bringing much love and joy into the world.

Thanks to you all for your understanding and support. You are the best.
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: willieandwinnie on March 29, 2008, 11:57:07 AM
I'm so sorry Psim.  :cuddle; I'm relieved to know he went peacefully. I'll say a prayer for him and your family.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: okarol on March 29, 2008, 12:02:16 PM
Psim, I am sorry for your loss. RIP uncle  :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: lola on March 29, 2008, 12:04:15 PM
 :grouphug; :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: mysty on March 29, 2008, 12:42:27 PM
So sorry but at least you know in your heart.. he had a full life and left the way he wanted..
My thoughts are with you.
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: kitkatz on March 29, 2008, 12:49:55 PM
May his afterlife be peaceful and calm.  I hope your are all right.  :grouphug; for the entire family.
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: kellyt on March 29, 2008, 01:03:42 PM
 :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: paddbear0000 on March 29, 2008, 02:10:34 PM
I'm so sorry, but I'm glad he went so peacefully.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: bolta72 on March 29, 2008, 02:59:29 PM
Sorry to hear this but glad he went in a peaceful way.
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: MyssAnne on March 29, 2008, 03:24:09 PM
Oh hon I am so pleased though, that he died so peacefully. It really helps the family to accept it a little better, that's my hope anyway. 

Peace and love to you, with hugs, and the same to your aunt and their family.

Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: KT0930 on March 29, 2008, 09:08:15 PM
I'm glad he was surrounded by those who loved him most. May his entire family be as at peace with it as he was at the end.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: rose1999 on March 29, 2008, 11:48:22 PM
My thoughts are with you, you and your Uncle's family should have no regrets, he had the passing he wanted.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Bajanne on March 30, 2008, 08:51:53 AM
My caring thoughts and prayers and with you and your uncle's family.  He went with dignity, surrounded by love.  Way to go!  :grouphug;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Mimi on March 30, 2008, 04:50:22 PM
My condolences.  It is never easy to let someone go, but it is even worse to see them suffer.
God Bless you and your family.

Love, Mimi
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: thegrammalady on March 30, 2008, 05:41:46 PM
my wish would be to go on my own teams as your uncle. god bless you and your family
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Sluff on March 30, 2008, 06:32:33 PM
He left on his own terms, I respect that. I just hope you and your family are doing alright.   :grouphug; My condolences for your loss.
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: paris on March 30, 2008, 07:04:43 PM
I hope all of you are doing ok, especially knowing he was at peace.  It is never easy letting go and saying goodbye.  Keeping you in my prayers :cuddle;
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: NolaGail on March 31, 2008, 07:33:58 AM
My thoughts and prayers continue for you and your family during your time of loss.  The loss of a loved one is never easy, but you can be comforted by the fact that you honored his wishes.  That knowledge will be something you can lean on in the coming days, months. . .

NolaGail
Title: Re: My uncle stopped dialysis
Post by: Deanne on March 31, 2008, 08:02:01 AM
Hugs for each of you who is left behind. I'm glad your uncle was able to choose for himself what was right for him and that he left this world in peace and with such a supportive family.