Mom is in stage 7 with her kidneys shutting down and we were told by our hospice nurse that she was at her end time. But, mom has been on a rollercoaster rally that has now lasted 6 weeks and counting (with a few really bad days of sleeping and not eating) since the nurse told us she had 2 days to 2 weeks left. I have stop guessing and have come to the conclusion that this disease is to unexplainable to figure out and is so different for everyone. I have been told that everyone's journey is different and that couldn't be truer! We are talking it one day at a time now and enjoying all the good days with her. From someone who's going through the same thing, try to live in the moment and enjoy it while you can, we are doing our best to do that also.
Late rallies are common and usually brief. It is definitely an up and down ride as your LO makes this journey. In the end your LO will die when "the time is right.". Some of the Hospice literature I read talked about the dying person "choosing" his or her time to die and perhaps choosing whether anyone else was immediately present. I found that interesting and comforting.
The purpose of hospice is to treat people humanely, not to cure health problems. He will pass when it is his time. If he ceases to eat and/or drink for a week, he will not last long. Until then, make this time memorable - full of loving memories.
My brother did this before he died. He rallied for days.
When I asked his hospice nurses if he was leaving hospice soon because he had left once before, they said that he wasn’t going to leave this time but they found it amazing that he was hanging on for so long.
My brother told the nurse that he wasn’t afraid to die. I was glad to know that he was at peace.
The social worker and nurses were of great comfort to our family.
My husband had been under hospice care for 22 months. During that time I was told by them several times that the end was probably near, but it never was. That is until this last time, when on Aug. 5th and 6th my husband was in a partial coma and the hospice nurse told me that he would be dead in 3 days. Well in my husbands true fashion, he came out of the coma, but continued to decline, and continued to live until this morning, Sept 14th, when he passed away at home, just like he wanted to.
My heart goes out to you, as it can be quite a rollercoaster ride when your loved one gets to this point. Just remember, only God knows the day and the time when your loved one will leave this world. I had to remind myself of that often during this journey. May God bless you and keep you.
These things are not predictable, and I am certain hospice let you know that. Just try to take each day as it comes. I agree with NotGoodEnough; as a nurse I often saw patients rally shortly before going. However, I have seen what seemed somewhat miraculous turnarounds as well. Take it a day at a time. This is very hard, I know. Thoughts with you.
When both my MIL and my FIL neared the end, a day or 2 before they passed, they both "rallied"; ate better, were much more alert and engaged. Perhaps that's the case here. I wish you peace during this difficult time.
From someone who's going through the same thing, try to live in the moment and enjoy it while you can, we are doing our best to do that also.
When I asked his hospice nurses if he was leaving hospice soon because he had left once before, they said that he wasn’t going to leave this time but they found it amazing that he was hanging on for so long.
My brother told the nurse that he wasn’t afraid to die. I was glad to know that he was at peace.
The social worker and nurses were of great comfort to our family.
My heart goes out to you, as it can be quite a rollercoaster ride when your loved one gets to this point. Just remember, only God knows the day and the time when your loved one will leave this world. I had to remind myself of that often during this journey. May God bless you and keep you.
"Only God knows the day and the time when your loved one will leave this world,"
That is so true.
I wish you peace during this difficult time.