Mom had stopped eating and drinking for about 8 days. Her blood pressure was 90 over 60 and the hospice team gave us meds to keep her comfortable. Six days ago she started asking for bland foods like pudding and cream of wheat. She eats very small amounts. Hospice said she is rallying but this rally seems like it is longer than the ones I have been reading about. She said she is making a come back. Can this be true? Does rallying go on for almost a week?
Our family here on the forum sends you much love and some peace, too. Don’t hesitate to check in whenever you need us. Someone is always here.
I hope your Mom has an easy go of it, and that the medical staff is adequately treating any pain she may be feeling. Discuss your concerns with your Nurse, they usually know best how this goes. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
I have one deceased brother but I have one brother that should have died with colon cancer. He was extremely sick and the doctor said it was a miracle he went into remission. So true what you said, no one knows for sure. Nurses will say they have had patients who were on death’s door and made it and other patients that they had no reason to think they wouldn’t pull through and they died. I feel like, when your number is up, it’s time to go and when it isn’t you won’t.
I am in no hurry to go but I am ready when it’s my time. There is an older lady that I know that has said she is afraid to die. That’s hard.
This isn't exactly the same as your mum. My mum did not continue being talkative, but her rally did last a few weeks with regards to eating. When she did pass it was very peaceful.
Hope this helps.
It can be days, weeks, months and years. My father's rally was over 10 years because his body performed it's own heart by-pass when his health said he wasn't strong enough for the operation. This was confirmed by the surgeon who later put in his fistula for dialysis.
My DH's rally was almost 3 years.
If you are close to your mom, just remind her that you love her. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
I agree with your view on nurses. I recently went to an ‘end of life’ seminar at my church. It was very helpful to emotionally prepare, if it is possible to prepare. I try. We can prepare in practical ways, we try to be prepared spiritually and emotionally but death is hard, no matter what.
They had a priest/psychiatrist as the guest speaker.
This priest had his philosophy degree, (all priests get a philosophy degree), then his theology degree. He also went to medical school to get further education to become a psychiatrist.
He was very informative and quite funny. He said that he loved working with the nurses but that it was difficult working with the arrogant doctors. He said to respect nurses for their hard work and that they are truly a patient’s best friend. I think it’s important to have a good relationship with the nurses. They have tough jobs, that’s for sure. They work very hard.
Unfortunately Washing State Senator Maureen Walsh (R) said that nurses probably play cards in all their free time. (She’s since apologized.) See it here;
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/04/23/state-senator-said-nurses-probably-play-cards-work-facing-mass-outrage-shes-apologized/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ccfc48f385f3
Never, in 40 years as a nurse, did I ever play cards. Gosh, we barely had time to cram a bite of food in. I challenge Maureen to shadow any nurse and see how much “free time” we have. Grrrrrr! 😡