Hi all, my mum has terminal lung and liver cancer, diagnosed 14 months ago. She hasn't really eaten for nearly 2 weeks and is struggling to drink. The syringe driver was fitted today. Any thoughts on time left.
I am so sorry to hear about your mum's situation. This is such a hard time and we all react differently. You will usually find that the end is not that far away when someone stops eating and drinking. The fact that she was fitted with a syringe driver today might indicate this?
Is your mum at home or in a hospital? If you ask her carers this question outright, they are possibly in the best position to answer this question. I have gone through this with my own mum and know just how awful it is to have to go through this. Thinking of you and your family and, here's hoping that your mum passes peacefully.
Please keep in touch and remember that we are always here for you.
Thanks for the reply Jolamine, she is at home as is her wish, also with the current COVID regulations we would not have access to her if she was in hospital. The care team have been marvelous in supporting not only my mother but also my father who has had to slowly watch his wife die. I will speak to them when I go there today.
I'm so sorry to hear about your mum and can imagine this must be very hard for you all.
It's very difficult trying to answer a question like this as we aren't involved in her care and everyone will be so very different in this situation. The symptom control team (or Macmillan nurses or palliative care team) who fitted the syringe driver would be the best people who would be able to give you perhaps some idea, but again, they won't be able to say definitely - just a rough guide.
It may be a few days or a few weeks , as it will also depend on your mum's body's response to the meds in the syringe driver and whether she will be able to drink or eat. There is a link on our website about not eating and drinking near the end of life here, but don't feel you have to look at it, as it is under the 'dying with cancer' section
If you would like a chat about any of this, please do give us a call to the helpline -Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
I hope you are all getting some support from family and friends and that you are able to talk things through with a nurse or doctor.
I honestly can't 100% remember with my MIL as we were working in shifts and didn't have proper sleep but once the driver was fitted she passed away within a week. More than once we were told she was close, but she perhaps appreciated us chatting and holding her hand. My BIL was just over 24 hours - he had contracted sepsis in addition to his cancer.
I know that this is a really difficult time, try to take comfort in that you are carrying out her wishes. Even though it is the last thing on your minds, try to make you sure you eat and sleep, even if only a little.
Hi I'm sorry to hear about your mum. It's such a difficult time for you all. My dad passed away from cancer 2 years ago and stayed at home also as was his wish. He passed away 4 days after he was given the pump. We had been told he may live for a week or two but it might only be days, which it was.
im sure it's a different experience for everyone but my dad was peaceful for the last few days. We were with him the whole time and thr nurses that helped us were fantastic. On the last day, his breathing changed dramatically, ( he had prostate cancer that spread to lung, liver and brain). His lungs filled with fluid so we knew he had very little time left. I hope you are ok, it's so difficult
Thanks for the reply, I've spoken to the care team and it is as you say just a waiting game. We are receiving fantastic support from the hospice and District Nurses, these people really are angels. Ths hospice have been supplying an overnight nurse so my father can go to bed, he has been sleeping on the sofa for the last 6 months as my mum has had a hospital bed down stairs, she has also had a couple of strokes in the last 18 moths that has made things difficult with mobility. Testing times but nice to know there are people out there who offer support it's needed ️
