My mother is in a hospice facility, post-stroke and with advanced vascular dementia. She has no other co-morbidities. She has not eaten or had any liquids for about two weeks, and even before that she had almost nothing. Since Christmas Eve, she has been in what looks to me like a coma. She has not moved a muscle and has not opened her eyes. I don't think she has any awareness of us being here and does not show any response to either touch or voice. The skin on her legs is quite mottled but her hands and feet are warm. They are keeping her comfortable and she does not appear to be in any pain. The hospice nurses predicted five days ago that she had 12-24 hours left, but she keeps breathing. They are amazed at her strength. In your experience, how long can this go on for? Even though she seems peaceful now, I just want this nightmare to be over for her.
My father hadn't had any food or liquids for over 10 days when he was on hospice, and was in a coma in bed. My son decided to push up his wedding and get married in dad's AL apartment on about the 12th day of his coma. I set up the chairs for the ceremony and brought in the cake. As soon as the bride and groom walked up to the chaplain, dad opened his eyes and smiled! We were blown away! We all kissed him and hugged him, my son was crying, it was quite a moment. Dad stayed awake watching the entire ceremony smiling. As soon as it was over, he closed his eyes once again. He passed the next day. Dad was waiting to see his only grandchild get married. We thought he couldn't hear us either since he was in a coma, but he sure could......because he knew when and where my son was getting married!
People snicker at the thought of folks having control over when they pass. I don't, because I witnessed dad's total control over the day he chose to transition.
Thanks for sharing the lovely story about your father.
Even though she may be unconscious now, it is said that the hearing is the last sense to go, so keep talking to her.
My late husband went 41 days with no food and over 25 days with no drink, except for liquid from his fentanyl pain pump.
Hospice told me that my husband would be dead in 3 days and it took him 41 days to die.
So again, only God knows.
Be grateful that she is peaceful now and not in pain, as everyone is not so fortunate to have their loved one peaceful and pain free at the end.(myself included)
God bless you.
Your Mom is being kept comfortable and pain free. For me, I and my nephew visited and left at 1:30pm, Mom was declared at I:50pm.
I am sorry. As I am certain all in Hospice let you know, the end is coming. No one really can predict when and this is why they hesitate to try.
I am very sorry. My condolences to you all and I am thankful she is being kept at rest and peace.