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My grandfather has been in hospital for cancer he has not had chemo and a wound that won't heal. The cancer has not, as far as we know, spread throughout his body. He was doing fine until 2 days ago when he suddenly started sleeping a lot. He's on low dose morphine.

Now he's always sleeping, yet he's fully aware of what's going on… you can see he's constantly trying to wake up... he keeps trying to force his eyes open and he succeeds for a minute or so, then he falls asleep again… he knows exactly who's in the room, and he still makes it a point to thank the nurses… it's just hard for him to talk because he's so tired. His heart, lungs and liver are still OK. His breathing is OK and not laboured. What can we expect from here on? Is this a sign that he'll go downhill very fast?
We're not expecting miracles... but I guess (as we all do) we just want a little more time to have some last memories with and of him.

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I suspect the Morphine is the culprit here. It doesn't take much to make one groggy ESP when you are an elderly person. Morphine is a narcotic even at its low doses still can make one very tired with no energy.
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River10, at 92 he's had a long row to hoe and he has every right to be tired. He can decide when to go. He may be waiting for you all to tell him you love him and you will be fine and give him permission to go join Grandma.
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Ask to speak to the head nurse or wait for the dr to come in to ask if this is the desired effect. Sleep can be very healing. Is he on an IV for nourishment or is he eating? Is he on hospice? Since they are giving morphine he must be in pain without it. It could also be that he has his nights and days mixed up. Often lab work and other tests are done during the night or very early in the morning. There might be a better time to visit him when he is more awake. Find a spot on his arm or hand and hold it and memorize how it feels. You will always remember.
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River, may I ask how old is your grandfather? Once an elder gets into their 80's and 90's they are tired... they have lived a very long life.... it is normal for them to sleep a lot. Plus throw in being in a hospital where it can be very boring to be a patient, not much else to do but sleep. Certain medicines can make one drowsy.
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It's hard to say what is going on with him, what do the nurses say? It sounds as though he is comfortable at least...letting go is hard, just treat each day as a gift.
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