......has decided that she would rather die than submit to any further tests or treatments in hospital. Two days ago she was having a gastroscopy done, but tore the endosope out and walked off - in mid-procedure. I knew she was due to have this done and wanted to ask the hospital to do it under a general anaesthetic, but mum kept the appointment secret from me so I didn't get the chance.
She has further tests booked for the 17th and 24th of this month, but insists she's not attending any more hospital appointments and says she would prefer to die.
I know that my siblings will all hope to get her to change her mind and will want me to exert some influence over her, but she can't be forced to do something she doesn't want to do and I won't try to make her. The frustrating thing is that her cancer op was successful and the medics are now trying to sort out other longstanding problems to give her a better quality of life. I've explained until I'm blue in the face that there is a lot she can do to help herself and that there is no reason why she shouldn't continue to live for many more years, but I suspect she thinks that if she refuses intervention that she'll keel over and die quickly. I'm afraid she's much more likely to carry on for a long time in needless pain and discomfort.