I found out today from my sister that my parents hid something from me. I don't know why they told my sister but didn't tell me.

Apparently my grandma has less than 6 months to live. Well, probably 5 months or less at this point because my parents hid it for a while.

She can no longer eat on her own. She just can't chew on anything and can hardly swallow. The hospital has been giving her mashed potatoes and food chopped up very finely, but she's just not eating. They say she eats about 10-40% of each meal they give her. They are LUCKY if she eats 40%, but that is incredibly rare these days.

I think the dementia is just taking its toll on her body. Breaking things down slowly until she turns into a vegetable. I guess it was only a matter of time because she was psychotic 90% of the time throughout the past two years. But she doesn't want to be hooked up to tubes. Her living will states that very clearly. So she may actually die much sooner than 5 months if she continues to not eat... because she can't be hooked up to feeding tubes if she doesn't want that.

[boogiesmash]

I’m so sorry.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I'm very sorry. It's an awful disease and awful to watch someone you love go through it. We're here for you!!

[Victoria'smom]

I'm sorry, can you visit her?

[Wild Coyote]

I am sorry, Blue.

(((((( bluebicycle ))))))


WC

[Wander]

I’m so sorry. I watched my grandmother deteriorate and die in a similar way. It is heartbreaking to watch and it drags on, only making the pain worse. We are here to support you so keep postings. I’m

[bizi]

I am sorry blue.
yes it is hard to watch but her body is slowing down. If she stops drinking fluids...it won't be long. They should call in hospice for her.
They provide emotional support to the family.
(((((HUGS))))
bizi

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I'm so sorry. I spent my career working with people with dementia and the late stages are an especially sad time. If you are able to (and want to take the word of an internet stranger), sometimes heavily sweetening food makes it more appetizing for people with dementia as they lose the ability to taste everything but sweet. A couple of packets of sweet n lo (the pink envelopes; it is the sweetest) added to any food makes it have some flavor again. It is definitely counter-intuitive to do this as sweetening most foods sounds gross but I've seen it help.

I agree with Bizi that this may be a good time for your family to consider hospice.

Oh, I don’t know why you weren’t told, but I am so sorry

[Wonderfalls]

But don't use artificial sweeteners. Use sugar or honey. She needs all the calories she can get.

[liveforsummer]

I’m sorry you are going through this and you weren’t told

[*Laurie*]

Hi blue, I feel bad because your parents didn't tell you about your grandma. That seems odd, but is it possible they justified not telling you because they thought they were protecting you?

Losing loved ones can be so painful. I have lost so many and my only suggestion is to take it hour by hour. Try not to cross bridges before you come to them.

[hopeless2015]

I'm so sorry Blue. It so hard to watch our loved ones go through this. HUGS

[BeyondtheRainbow]

The reason for the artificial sweeteners is that they are much sweeter than natural stuff and the sweetness level needs to be very high. Adding sugar or honey with the artificial stuff would be ok though.

[Unrigged64072835]

Sorry to hear about your Grandma.

I watched my grandfather go through that. My heart goes out to you.