My aunt is dying of cancer.The last report a few minutes ago said that her breat!
Question:
My aunt is dying of cancer.The last report a few minutes ago said that her breathing had become labored.?
She is sleeping 90 percent of the time,and my uncle is at her bedside. The Nurse says the end is very near. This is, I know,not really a question that can be answered in any precise way. Best guess,please. How long does she have? Does "very near" mean through the night...the weekend? How long does labored breathing last?
Answers:
If she is "sleeping" most of the time this may be a form of coma or medicine induced coma and that isOK! You want her to be comfortable. If her breathing is very labored with periods of apnea (non-breathing) then that is called Cheyne-Stokes respirations, this can last for hours even days. Then eventually the breaths will get shallower and less often then will stop. Usually the breathing stops before the heart will give out but only for a few moments. I pray she is on hospice and is well taken care of and most importantly she is free from pain. This is the natural dying process. Usually when the Dr or nurse says death is very near it means less than 24 hours. I pray she is not in pain. I have been a nurse 16+yrs mainly in long term care (elderly) and in hospice. Just be by her side and say It is ok to go and I Love you. God Bless and be strong!!!