End Stage Symptoms?

I Do not have the words to express the sympathy I have for both of you. Having fought for life so hard, it is tough to switch gears and realize that wonderful people die from this.

Make sure you never forget the grace with which these people lived...and died. They made a mark on this world as much as any celebrity (probably more so, as they are Genuine people). Your time together at the end of life is precious indeed, and as you go through life, remember to strive for the grace you have witnessed today.

My prayers are with you.

George

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mother and your family also. I am dealing with this with my husband. We know it is a matter of time his Bladder Cancer was removed 2 1/2 yrs ago but this past june it turned up in his bones and was all ready stage 4 and had done significant damage to his neck bones and right hip. I don't know how much time we have but I know it is frustrating to me not to know what is coming next. My husband is like your Mother he is very ill can't eat much at all but he still jokes alot and tries his best to have meaningful time spent with anyone who stops by for a visit. He talks to the children, alot on the phone and always tells themhe loves them and usually has them laughing through most conversations. We have 10, his 7 my 3 all adults ages 18-51 all of whom love him and have had lives blessed with having him as a Father. Him and I have our serious talks and we cry together but I guess that is all part of this awful process we are going through. We pray that God will do as he will but ask his mercy so there will not be so much pain. For now the oxycotin cr and oxycodone are working and he is like your Mother doesn't want morphine until absolutely neccesary because he real wants to be as alert as possible for as long as possible. I wish I could be of more comfort to you. just knowing we are not alone in this fight is a comfort to us. The wonderful people who are on this site are a blessing from God.

Thank you, Joseph and Mike; I wish the very best for both of you!

prayn4peace wrote:
Hi Ann,

You're very welcome for the info. I only wish it was of more use to you and of course to your mom.

I'm one who never wants to quit, never wants to admit to an apparently inevitable loss, and never wants to say goodbye. Though I know it's something we all have to face sometimes.

I can't say it better than Mike did above, so I'll just copy his:
"I wish you, your wonderful mother, and all of her friends and family peace and comfort during this time."

Sincerely,
Joseph

Ahhh, you said just what I needed; thank you, Mike! I don't know why I'm even asking questions at this stage - it's just the unknown and wanting answers where there really aren't any. Thank you so much; what an amazing mother YOU had - and what a wonderful son she had. Thank you again.

Ann,

I don't even know her but I admire your mother. What a lucky person you are to have a mother like her.

From your messages, my guess is that she is handling the last part of her life with all of the grace and dignity that she knows how. My guess is that she likely lived her life that way before as well and this is no great surprise to you that she is baffling the hospice folks with her fortitude and attitude.

If they say she is in end stages, then I would have to just believe it. If the bleeding is coming from the kidneys, then it is likely that the cancer has spread there.

While I am sorry for your loss, I am happy that you had a woman such as her to raise you and guide you through life.

Give thanks for the time you have had together and spend as much time with her now. A woman such as her should not die alone without having the comforting hand of family.

When my mother died at the age of 47 from breast cancer, I did not sleep for 5 days and I held her hand the whole time (except for bathroom breaks). I just couldn't let her be alone at the time of her death after all she had done for me and our family. Somehow, after she had lost all communication (even the just hand squeeze communication we worked out) I knew it was time and called my father who had gone home for some much needed rest. He came to her bedside, kissed her the forehead and told her he loved her and goodbye. That was the exact moment of her last breath....

That was a lot of years ago and I have to admit that my eyes were already tearing up while I was typing the part about the grace and dignity of your mother and it was darn near impossible to see through the tears in my eyes when relating the memory of my own mother's death.

I wish you, your wonderful mother, and all of her friends and family peace and comfort during this time.

Mike