Hello and thanks for posting

I am sorry to hear about your mum's situation and appreciate this must be a difficult time for the family.

We have information about what happens in the final days of life here and what to expect on our website. However it isn't easy to predict how someone will be as every patient is different and whilst many will have a gradual deterioration where they will become less well, start eating and drinking less and become more tired, sleepy and then unresponsive others can more suddenly take a turn for the worse with no real warning sign.

It is important if you can for the family to talk to the doctors or nurses involved in your mum's care. They may be able to gage more about how long your mum may have and what to look out for. Also if your mum is having nurses popping out to see her they also might pick up signals that she may be nearing the end so do talk to them and ask any questions you may have.

When patients no longer have treatment options available to them they are often referred to the palliative care team who are able to take over the patients care and manage and control any symptoms someone may have moving forward. Not every patient will need input from this type of team straight away but they often will make regular telephone contact to check in that everything is ok. 

I hope this is helpful but please get back if you need to. You are also welcome to talk things through over the phone on our helpline, our number is 0808 800 4040 and we're here Monday-Friday 9-5.

All the best

Naomi