Failure to Thrive

The words cut like a knife- failure to thrive. As I listened to the ZOOM conference describing my father’s condition, it was difficult to utter a word. I was thankful that I was in my office where the busyness of school surrounded. Everything they described seemed hauntingly familiar to my mother’s last moments: weight loss, increase in sleeping, and then the main thing- a change in his speech. ” He isn’t really talking.”

My brother spoke most of the time and kept advocating for the medical staff to explore all options. It was just with my mom. He advocated, I agreed, but inwardly felt that things were changing.

And then the document came in my inbox with a yes or no by each. It was a necessary step to outline the end of life measures.

1. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).  

2. Artificial means of nutrition (i.e., feeding tube).  

Artificial nutrition/hydration may be given through a nose 

or stomach tube.  

3. Artificial means of hydration (temporary).  

IV Therapy may provide hydration via a tube in the vein. 

4. Placement on a ventilator.  

 A ventilator is a machine that provides artificial breathing.  

5. Organ Donation 

6. Antibiotics for infection.  

7. Autopsy.  

8. Transfer to hospital in an emergency situation or in the event  

 of a serious medical illness.  

It’s hard to capture the feelings. I want him to get that second vaccine so badly, but will it make a difference? Will he overcome the failure to thrive?