Just wanted to update quickly, that after doing very well on Hospice since early January - my mother has taken an incredible turn for the worse. Thankfully, my brother just happened to come visit from New Jersey (primarily to visit my dad, who is also terminal and was expected to die first).
In a matter of a day she went from looking thin to skeletal, and now she is confused and too weak to even stand up to make it to the bathroom. Her hospice nurse says she is very close to dying.
From everything I have read, this is not normal. There is supposed to be a process... She asked for food and coffee this morning, yet she seems like she could take her last breath anytime. She smiles one minute and then moans with frustration about not being able to get up and use the toilet. We found her on the floor twice last night in the bathroom, because we didn't hear her get up and try and go. I'm sleeping with her in bed tonight with one eye open to make sure that doesn't happen again.
My dad isn't dealing with it well at all. Hospice does not have an in house center here, but he says she can't stay here because she's too much for him and I to handle (I personally think he doesn't want to see her this way, so out of sight - out of mind), but I don't want her going anywhere!!!
Has anyone else experienced this strange set of "dying" symptoms?
My brother is supposed to fly home tomorrow, but if we knew for sure she is going to go soon he would stay.
This is soooo hard. And this cancer is the fastest growing cancer I've ever seen in my life! She has been drinking a lot of nutrients throughout these past months, and she looks like a particularly underfed holocaust survivor...
Those of you that pray - please pray for a comfortable transition for her from this life to eternity. Her name is Doris, and she is very loved by her friends and family....
Thanks so much,
Shayne B,