My Grandma is 102 years old and has multiple health problems. She lives with my aunt. On Thursday night, she was having trouble breathing and asked my aunt to take her to the hospital. They did an x-ray on her chest and said she had pneumonia. Friday afternoon, she didn't want to be in the hospital anymore and she started becoming VERY belligerent, started cussing at the nurses, pulled her IV's out, and refused to get back in bed, so they sent her home because my cousin who is a retired nurse said she would stay with her. I believe they put her on an antibiotic. I went to go see her today and she is acting fine (being her normal self). I don't know much about pneumonia, except that it's very deadly for people her age. Obviously we can't predict the future, but does anyone on here know of anybody who has died of pneumonia? Is it sudden, like one day they are fine and the next day they are gone? I apologize if I'm sounding heartless here, I just really want to get an idea of what to expect. She is SUPPOSED to go back to the doctor one day next week, if we can get her to go, and obviously they will be able to tell us a little more, but I want to hear other people's stories so I can maybe get an idea of what to expect.
You are correct in guessing that nothing can be predicted. We have seen people pass suddenly of pneumonia, and others pass over a more prolonged period of struggle, and others recover. The course of any disease process is as individual to a person as his or her own fingerprint.
Is she afraid of being in a hospital? Some people are. Some people wish to die at home.
I am so sorry that you are struggling with this.
Best wishes to you.