We were told last Friday that mum only had hours left. She had stopped eating and taking fluids earlier in the day. That evening her breathing was very shallow and her extremities were cold then all of a sudden her breathing became more settled and she started warming up. It is now Wednesday and she is still with us. We have remained with her 24/7 and are exhausted.  The death rattle started yesterday and she is heavily sedated and non-responsive. Unfortunately the smell coming from her body is horrendous and we have to leave the door open and keep spraying the room. We are all finding this so distressing. Does anyone have any advice on how long this situation goes on for? We just want her to slip away but for some reason she is fighting this to the end and we don't know where she is finding the strength

Update

Mum passed away peacefully yesterday morning exactly 7 weeks after her diagnosis. For anyone asking the same question about the death rattle, mums lasted 16 hours but we were reassured she knew nothing about it and it wasn't causing her distress.

Sending warm thoughts to everyone that is currently going through this harrrowing journey. Mum has requested no flowers and all donations to go to Cancer Research which is very fitting.