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Rallying before death?

Liz1256
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Hi, my dad has recently received a terminal diagnosis, with maybe weeks maybe months to live. He's been extremely poorly over the past six years but has taken a bit of a downward turn in the past two months as he has stopped eating almost. He has been in hospital a lot recently with sepsis and the cancer spreading to his bile duct.
 

We were told one week ago that he wouldn't be able to get better and the doctor advised that things were moving more rapidly than we thought and as my mum asked about work, she advised this might be the right time to be at home with him. We have had the district nurses in almost every day since last week after my dad took a real turn for the worst and became very sick. However since this he has in the last few days started to seem much better and brighter. Today he has even managed to drink a yoghurt and eat one square of chocolate. My dad is even having sips of water.

we just feel so confused as we thought he didn't have long at all, however now it seems like he may be getting better. We have read a little bit online about people rallying before they die and we wondered if anybody else had experienced anything like this, as we just feel in such confusion right now. 
 

thanks 

Liz x

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    Hi there ...

    Yea I found it often happens .. and I've heard lots of others say the same ..  my sister had dementure and for two years got really fustrated and was very agitated with us ... then she got really poorly, and for a few days, was back to her loving self ... where I could again hold her hand, and share laughter ... and after two years of being told to "go away" I got a beautiful " I love you" which I will treasure forever .. then she got really poorly... taken to hospital, and we lost her last month ...

    There's others rallied round too .. I think it gives us a last chance to say those things we need to .. to have those last few good memories to hold on to, so take every hour / day as a bonus ... leave nothing unsaid .. and lve in the day...  Chrissie x

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    Hi,

    Yes sadly it happens sometimes. I've experienced this with my grandad & my aunt. It's doesn't last for long I'm afraid (a day or two usually) and then they decline quite rapidly (in my experience). 

    All you can do is take joy in the time that your dad is a little brighter & fill that time with love, hugs & memories. 

    My love to you all,

    Angie

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie,

    Thank you for your reply. I'm glad to hear that other people have experienced this to as we did feel like we were going little bit crazy. I think because we are spending so much time with him we are normalising everything. He has got today and he's on second day of seeming to be quite well. We will take it day by day. 
     

    liz x

  • Offline in reply to Chriss

    Hi Chrissie, well that's amazing to have such special times. There are still some things that are normal, but the other day he was hardly able to move on his own but now he's walking to and from the bathroom unaided and alone. We just have to take it one day at a time and be with him. Thanks again for your lovely reply, Liz x

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