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Is there pain relief for my niece with late stage cirrhosis ?
Addiction & Recovery | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (5)Comment receiving replies
I am so sorry for your situation and hers. The only thing I can think of is if you think she is a danger to herself. The social worker, depending upon your state is probably a mandated reporter and if licensed has to report that if she thinks your niece is a harm to herself. I would reach out to the social worker and although she can't tell you what they discuss, you can voice your concern and maybe she can reach out to your niece's doctors. Your niece can also ask for hospice or pain meds. Hospice will come into the home. If your niece allows you in her home, you could be the one that helps her with meds and a hospice nurse might only come once a week or something. That is how it was with my father. On the other hand, you may have to accept that you are powerless over her situation and I know that is extremely painful and difficult. You sound like a caring soul and she is lucky to have you.
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@diverdown1
Thank you - my brain says there is nothing I can do but my heart refuses to accept it. I completely understand why the doctor won’t give my niece a pain med prescription while she is still drinking in an uncontrolled environment. My niece flat out refused any hospice involvement. Currently my amazing 75 year old SIL is spending 4-5 days a week getting them groceries and meds, leaving meals in the fridge, doing all the housework, making appts and shuttling my niece and her partner (he is also quite ill) to doc appts. She has approval to go into each appointment and talk with their doctors, and social worker. My understanding is that both their doctors and the social worker have been trying to get them help but since they are still considered mentally competent and refusing help, that is all anyone can do. I am concerned about my SILs health too, as this is wearing her down. Niece and SIL are keeping me somewhat at a distance from all this mess because I just finished 20+years of EOL in home caregiving in 2023- for my parents, sister, and brother and was burned out. I know they are trying to protect me because spring 2025 I was finally diagnosed with lymphoma and Parkinsons (and a couple other things) and have my own stuff to deal with. I do appreciate their intentions, but I learned alot during those 20+ years. I am strong again. My SIL does not really understand medical stuff, but she tries her best. They did let me send a plumber and an electrician over to do some repairs. I was also able to send some washable and disposable bed pads, a walker, wheelchair, and shower chair, over by saying I got them from the Goodwill and they might need them “someday”. On her good moments my niece will call and we’ll have a short chat. She always says she’s fine. She never sounds fine. So far I have been respecting her right to not want to talk about the hard stuff. I always end our conversations with I love you.
Thank you for letting me vent.