fairfarmhand Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 When my mom passed, we had a little booklet that helped us know what to expect as the end drew near. Sort of a general timeline to help us know what to expect. Does anyone have a link to a similar publication? We're dealing with an end of life issue and the family is reluctant to call in hospice so we're on our own. :( (I know, I know, but it's not my decision.) I'd just like to share that information so they can know what to expect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 so sorry :grouphug: https://www.caring.com/articles/signs-of-death Also, if you do a search on "End of life symptoms" you'll find more links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 oh, I meant to add there's no real timeline, per se. Some people may take longer to go through each stages, while other progress very quickly. Similar to labor/delivery in that way.. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 The publication that we had talked about "typical for the last 2 weeks of life" symptoms, and "the last three days of life" and then "the last 24 hours before death" symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 The publication that we had talked about "typical for the last 2 weeks of life" symptoms, and "the last three days of life" and then "the last 24 hours before death" symptoms. perhaps this would be helpful: http://www.webmd.com/palliative-care/journeys-end-active-dying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 oh, I meant to add there's no real timeline, per se. Some people may take longer to go through each stages, while other progress very quickly. Similar to labor/delivery in that way.. Oh, I know that. Of course it's all just generalizations. But I do remember the publication mentioning that many people experience a sort of animation in the last day or two before death where they really feel like talking and meeting people and then quickly slip into unconsciousness afterward and then just slip away. Letting them know what to expect can help them take advantage of that last day that the person feels like visiting. I don't want them to wait too long to visit and then miss it. KWIM? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Oh, I know that. Of course it's all just generalizations. But I do remember the publication mentioning that many people experience a sort of animation in the last day or two before death where they really feel like talking and meeting people and then quickly slip into unconsciousness afterward and then just slip away. Letting them know what to expect can help them take advantage of that last day that the person feels like visiting. I don't want them to wait too long to visit and then miss it. KWIM? yes, I know what you mean. I have definitely heard of that happening. But sometimes that doesn't happen too. it's not a guarantee. Some patients can become very distraught and agitated... this can be upsetting to the family even if they understand it can be normal. Have you tried contacting the hospice that your mom used? Perhaps they can mail you the booklets? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Perhaps you might find these helpful: End Of Life: A Guide Preparing for Approaching Death Hospice Signs of Dying Signs and Symptoms of Approaching Death Symptom Timeline Would you please add a tag to this thread? Hospice 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 yes, I know what you mean. I have definitely heard of that happening. But sometimes that doesn't happen too. it's not a guarantee. Some patients can become very distraught and agitated... this can be upsetting to the family even if they understand it can be normal. Have you tried contacting the hospice that your mom used? Perhaps they can mail you the booklets? That is a good idea. I'll visit their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 Thanks all. I think I found what I needed. This is almost exactly what I remember reading: http://www.niagarahospice.org/documents/final_journey.pdf This discusses the emotional process of letting go: https://caregiver.org/advanced-illness-holding-on-letting-go And this site give lots of information on late stage cancer. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/nearingtheendoflife/nearingtheendoflife/nearing-the-end-of-life-death Just in case someone else needs thiis information. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 I'll also add that if your FIL isn't in hospice, you might want to check out the unattended death and end of life medication issues with his doctor. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
applethyme Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 I think the booklet you are looking for is called "Gone from My Sight." Its the one our local hospice uses. Easy to use and has great information. If you FIL has a regular medical doctor make sure you get a do not resuscitate form so that when FIL passes then EMS will honor that. Plus it makes and unattended death a lot easier. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 I think the booklet you are looking for is called "Gone from My Sight." Its the one our local hospice uses. Easy to use and has great information. If you FIL has a regular medical doctor make sure you get a do not resuscitate form so that when FIL passes then EMS will honor that. Plus it makes and unattended death a lot easier. That;s it. I remember the picture on the front and the lovely sentiment expressed in the title. Just looking at it on Amazon brought tears and memories, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 I'll also add that if your FIL isn't in hospice, you might want to check out the unattended death and end of life medication issues with his doctor. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for mentioning this. It hadn't occurred to me that a non-hospice death at home could make things a bit more complicated for the family. So I think that's something worth mentioning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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