Guest guest Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Hi Imogene, I know for Mom, they knew she was in the dying process by results of blood tests/urine samples, etc. They knew that her kidneys were failing and they gave us an estimate of 2 weeks at that time. She actually live 2 weeks and 2 days. The hospice doctor came out and based on her blood pressure, the way her heart was beating, and maybe her respirations, he estimated between 1 and 2 weeks and that was about 12 days before she passed. The hospice nurses were pretty accurate and they would only check her heart, lungs, belly sounds, skin appearance and temperature. The hardest thing for hospice was teh fluctuating vitals common to LBD, because normally the vitals provide the information that is needed to estimate where in the dying process she was. Hospice provided a very calm, peaceful last weeks for her, and it was calm and peaceful for me to be there as well. Two weeks before Mom passed, my brother-in-law came to the hospital to see Mom, and he said that he could smell that she was dying. I didn't understand. But, after Mom passed and my brother was stripping the hospital bed and handing me the sheets, I was taken aback and said I needed to hold them because they smelled like Mom. But, then I realized that was the smell that was on her as her body was slowly going through the dying process. Perhaps your friend had experience with this 'smell' as my BIL did. He was in Vietnam and also around some family members in their last days. Perhaps pneumonia is a part of that process also, with the organs shutting down it could be that develops especially when they are no longer moving up and about. Mom was on Macrobid or somethng like that for a UTI, so perhaps she had pneumonia but the existing antibiotics were trying to fight that as well. It is important to remember that Don is at peace now...he is no longer suffering. I hope that you are on the mend and following your doctor's orders to get you back to the best condition that you can be. Hugs and prayers, Joan > > > Thank you Joan, > > > I haven't been getting to my mail too much lately, and so I actually figured the time out as it is based on a 24 hour day. > > I thought that maybe some of the temperature Don had was from the dying process, but I wasn't sure. Thanks for reminding me of that. I feel better knowing he didn't die just from pneumonia. > > I know our friend who is an RN said Don was dying when he left the house ten days before he actually died. I wondered how he knew. > > You know the saying; " First you cry " well, that is what I did. And I cried, and cried. But, I am having better days more often now. > I have my wonderful congregation that gives me something to look forward to, and to be happy about. So, I don't just look back. > > Love a lot, and thanks about the time, > Imogene > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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