Signs of Imminent Death???

Patient is female, 81 yrs old with Stage IV[4] colorectal cancer.

Patient has emphysema, congestive heart disease, Less than [5%] output
of kidneys, low blood pressure, vomiting of blood, unable to drink or
eat, a severe Kidney infection and super high potassium levels.

Would it be safe to say the end of her life is VERY VERY near?


p.s. Her diagnosis was less than 3 weeks ago and she saw an oncologist
the MORNING before all this extreme downturn happened.


thanks for your advice and help

I LOVE CHEESEWHEELS wrote:

> Patient is female, 81 yrs old with Stage IV[4] colorectal cancer.
>
> Patient has emphysema, congestive heart disease, Less than [5%] output
> of kidneys, low blood pressure, vomiting of blood, unable to drink or
> eat, a severe Kidney infection and super high potassium levels.
>
> Would it be safe to say the end of her life is VERY VERY near?
>
> p.s. Her diagnosis was less than 3 weeks ago and she saw an oncologist
> the MORNING before all this extreme downturn happened.
>
> thanks for your advice and help

Sure sounds like it, but it is hard for us to know, not being there.
When Dad was dying, we asked the hospital to set up a lazyboy for us, so
at least one of us, could always be there, talking to him and taking care
of many of his needs, like putting drops in his eyes and on his tongue,
and a salve for his lips. During the last few days, my sister and i stayed
24 hours, with short breaks to eat and stretch our legs.

That way we could have more quiet times with him and less interruptions
from the nurses. So they only interrupted to adjust his position and
change bedsheets and toiletry and check his urine bag. Then they left us
alone with him until their next check.

Ask if you and/or family members can do the same (stay 24/7) and when
nurses come in, ask them questions. We asked if it was okay to check
and/or massage his feet. That way we could watch for cooling and signs of
slowing down of the circulatory system (feet and lower legs darken). He
wasn't eating nor drinking, he was sleeping a lot, but when we speke to
him, he sometimes responded by squeezing our hand, or moving a finger, or
raising an eyebrow. One time, after a prayer, he said "Amen" (very low),
so have quiet and listen carefully and talk to her. The hearing continues
on, so be careful what you say around her, but do tell her that you love
her (and other nice things) and it's okay to let go.

Congestive heart failure can result in sudden death. happened within hours
for our pet.
It's hard to be specific about each person.

My thoughts will be with you all.
J

"I LOVE CHEESEWHEELS" <cheesewheels@crazyfactory.cheese> wrote in message
news:34rfm3pdlijl9jptj8nqmlkl814mehqddm@bbb.org...
> Patient is female, 81 yrs old with Stage IV[4] colorectal cancer.
>
> Patient has emphysema, congestive heart disease, Less than [5%] output
> of kidneys, low blood pressure, vomiting of blood, unable to drink or
> eat, a severe Kidney infection and super high potassium levels.
>
> Would it be safe to say the end of her life is VERY VERY near?
>

You know the answer to that yourself......

>
> p.s. Her diagnosis was less than 3 weeks ago and she saw an oncologist
> the MORNING before all this extreme downturn happened.
>
>
> thanks for your advice and help
>

On Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:17:13 GMT, "Steph" <steph@vancouvers.island>
wrote this stuff here :

>
>"I LOVE CHEESEWHEELS" <cheesewheels@crazyfactory.cheese> wrote in message
>news:34rfm3pdlijl9jptj8nqmlkl814mehqddm@bbb.org.. .
>> Patient is female, 81 yrs old with Stage IV[4] colorectal cancer.
>>
>> Patient has emphysema, congestive heart disease, Less than [5%] output
>> of kidneys, low blood pressure, vomiting of blood, unable to drink or
>> eat, a severe Kidney infection and super high potassium levels.
>>
>> Would it be safe to say the end of her life is VERY VERY near?
>>
>
>You know the answer to that yourself......

Not really. Never dealt with cancer before.

I LOVE CHEESEWHEELS wrote:

> On Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:17:13 GMT, "Steph" <steph@vancouvers.island>
> wrote this stuff here :
>
> >
> >"I LOVE CHEESEWHEELS" <cheesewheels@crazyfactory.cheese> wrote in message
> >> Patient is female, 81 yrs old with Stage IV[4] colorectal cancer.
> >>
> >> Patient has emphysema, congestive heart disease, Less than [5%] output
> >> of kidneys, low blood pressure, vomiting of blood, unable to drink or
> >> eat, a severe Kidney infection and super high potassium levels.
> >>
> >> Would it be safe to say the end of her life is VERY VERY near?
> >>
> >
> >You know the answer to that yourself......
>
> Not really. Never dealt with cancer before.

This probably won't be the only death that will happen in your life's
experience.
If you'd like to know more, here's 2 webpages. They are not comprehensive,
because it's impossible to cover every type of situation. However, both have
quite a bit of helpful information.
Both have books as well.

http://www.crossingthecreek.com/
Excerpts of one of his books
http://www.crossingthecreek.com/crossing_the_creek.htm
If a person's in a hurry and can't wait the few days for the book(s), he'll
make it available online, upon receipt of payment.
Not only does he delve into the physical, but also extensively into pain and
what we think may be happening and/or how to interpret what we are seeing or
hearing from the patiient. I read through this one often when it was
available for free online and it's well worth the price; can be very useful
well into the future. I think there's a price deal for the 3. I haven't read
the other 2.

There's some sections here, on the left, that may be helpful
http://www.hospiceworld.org/book/dehydration.htm
They too have a book. I have not read it.
Hope this helps you or someone in your family.
J