End of life

My mum has terminal cancer, six weeks ago she went into a hospice for pain management, during her time in their she lost the ability to speak, move and function. We brought her home with the doctors telling us she had hours to live. Despite this she came round and responded well to antibiotics. The doctors agreed to restart her cancer treatment. Despite this two weeks ago we saw another deterioration and she ended up in the hospital. Whilst in there she has developed significant bed sores that her causing her pain. She was discharged on Thursday and once again we were told she had hours, we are now on Tuesday and my mum is still here. I keep seeing glimmers of hope regarding her getting a little better. Am I being delusional? Should I take the doctors words as gospel? Or should I be encouraging my mum to get better? She is currently immobile, doubly incontinent and can't speak. She is only 53

  • Im sorry to hear about your mum, my dad is 61 with terminal cancer, his been having palliative chemo but it looks like thats about to stop, every day we are loosing a bit more of him and its just so hard. If there is one thing ibe learnt is not to take the doctors words as gospel, they said my dad was curable, 4 weeks later he wasnt and now and they are always saying one thing then another thing happens.

    the hospital actually said the ideal situation is that he gave up as him fighting is what causes his infections and various other problems so sounds to me like she is still fighting xxxx

     

  • I'm so sorry you are going through this with your mum when you are both so young. My mum is older but in a similar situation. I can only advise that you take each day as it comes and tell your mum how much she means to you. If she has days where she seems to improve, tell her how good it is to see that, take pictures and tell her about your funny memories of growing up.  If she can blink in communication for yes and no, ask if you can take pictures with her. Should you be encouraging her to get better? Hope is an amazing comforter but it may also be a burden for your mum, if she just wants to slip away but also feels bad about leaving you. I find these verses comfort to me so reaching out to share them with you...John 5:28; Revelation 21:4;Job 14:13-15. Sending you a hug, I can empathise with how you're feeling but it must be so much harder for you