Question about the death process. (Factual thread so pls don't read if sensitive)

aliasojo

I've hesitated to post this but I'm sat here by myself with no-one to talk to about this and something is bothering me.

When someone is at the end of their life and it's agreed it is kinder to withdraw all treatment and nutrition, the body obviously goes through a process of shutting down.

There are signs or checkpoints if you like, that the body will reach during this process.

So why, if someone has not had treatment, food or water for 5 days would they get as far as being cold and wax like in appearance, to being pink and warm the next day (all day, not just for a short period of time).

lauren_1

Is this patient in a hospice or a hospital setting?

Is it possible that a carer unfamiliar with his car plan had given him some fluids?

aliasojo

In hospital, in a side room. Unconscious so wouldn't have been able to drink and there is only an anti-sickess drug being given intravenously. It's been this way since Friday.

carefullycautious

Might be an infection which will cause face/body to become flushed. my father was like this

Crisp_£_note

It may be the bodys last big fight for health after trauma and once all its energy is depleted it will begin the shutting down process for the real and last time.

Sorry to hear you are facing this experience.

GlasweJen

I agree with the infection.

My mum used to nurse terminal patients in their last days and she said that the patients always look better right before they leave, not sure how true this is though.

thebigg

I work in a hospital and we often see terminal patients have a minor improvement for 24hrs before the final deterioration. Its a little unnerving but part of the process.

Hope that helps!

aliasojo

thebigg wrote: »

Its a little unnerving but part of the process.

Thank you all.

I think that's hit the nail on the head for me, it's unnerving. Almost like the person is fighting to survive and we should be helping by putting all the tubes etc back in to help them.

My head knows it's too late for that but all sorts go through your mind at times like this.

MrsRogers

:grouphug:

Huge hug to you while you go through this difficult time.

God bless you and your family x

brians_daughter

Firstly i am sorry you are experiencing these difficult times.

Secondly i spent 5 years as a volunteer at a local hopsice and (very) often when a paitient enters what will be their last few hours, or on occassion day/s on earth they seem to 'get better'. The ones who are concious suddenly start to remember who the ppl are who are around them and become more responsive.. they also often got a'glow' about them that we had never seen..family members said it was like they were suddenly getting better mentally and physically (what you describe would fit in with this)... As a pp has said its almost like its the last burst of energy before they find peace

You are in my prayers (if you dont mind!) at this very difficult time in your life x

puppypants

What you have to think about at this stage, if they did start putting tubes etc back in, what quality of life would that person have? Sometimes death can be a release.

If the person is on an anti sickness drug and being given it intravenously, is it in a bag of fluid or being injected straight into the cannula? If it is in a bag of fluid, then they are at least getting some fluid into them. Its not really done just to starve someone to death, and if they are at such a final stage, fluids would not be given by mouth as the swallow reflex would not be present and there is a danger of the person inhaling the fluid. They should be having regular mouth care and frequent turns (unless on an air mattress).

I have seen many people 'rally' before the inevitable end, it's just another part of the process of dying.

HTH

Rosie x