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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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CHF Is Not Good For A 86 Yrs Old Woman. Is It Dangerous?

Mother is 86, has CHF is not doing so great what should we expect?
Her O2 Sats @ 84-87. Doesn't eat more than a few bites of food a day, has severe edema in her legs(she's leaking fluid through her pores) and had a scope done, the doc said her valves were severly leaking. Mostly she just seems to have given up. Any hope here? She is currently in skilled nursing unit, on oxygen 5 and on all kinds of meds. I hate for her to have to spend too long there she wants to come home but I do not think we could care for her properly.
Sun, 20 Dec 2009
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I am so sorry to hear about this. CHF is a condition caused by right sided heart failure. The heart is not strong enough to pump the return blood. I assume since your mother is in a long term care facility that you have a DNR order signed by her doctor. This only means that they will not preform heroic measures to save her life. Normally, they order a DNR-CC. This is comfort care. They will still administer 02, meds, oral care, turning every two hours and basic care. I am a nurse and I have seen this many times. This is the time, you and your family needs to come together, comfort her, let her know that you are there for her. I am assuming that you are asking this question because you want the truth. Well how long does she have? I can not tell you that. I do know that this can continue for several days. And to be completly honest with you this is the start of a muliti -system shut down. The end is near and I am going to pray for you and your family. I am going to pray for your strength. Good luck to you and your family.. Giver her kisses and let her know you love her. Remember, hearing is the last sense that we loose at the end of life.... I would not suggest moving her to your home. Although that is where she would want to die. Moving her will be very uncomfortable for her at this point. Hold her hand and let her go in peace. God Bless.
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CHF Is Not Good For A 86 Yrs Old Woman. Is It Dangerous?

I am so sorry to hear about this. CHF is a condition caused by right sided heart failure. The heart is not strong enough to pump the return blood. I assume since your mother is in a long term care facility that you have a DNR order signed by her doctor. This only means that they will not preform heroic measures to save her life. Normally, they order a DNR-CC. This is comfort care. They will still administer 02, meds, oral care, turning every two hours and basic care. I am a nurse and I have seen this many times. This is the time, you and your family needs to come together, comfort her, let her know that you are there for her. I am assuming that you are asking this question because you want the truth. Well how long does she have? I can not tell you that. I do know that this can continue for several days. And to be completly honest with you this is the start of a muliti -system shut down. The end is near and I am going to pray for you and your family. I am going to pray for your strength. Good luck to you and your family.. Giver her kisses and let her know you love her. Remember, hearing is the last sense that we loose at the end of life.... I would not suggest moving her to your home. Although that is where she would want to die. Moving her will be very uncomfortable for her at this point. Hold her hand and let her go in peace. God Bless.