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Grandad perked up? Confused family

Maxwell1991
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Hi all, I just don't know who to ask and I don't even know why I'm asking but me and my sisters are so confused and can't understand what's happening. 
 

Our grandad was diagnosed in July with brain and lung mets, from renal cancer. He was admitted to hospital in October and given weeks to live. He was fast tracked to discharge to the care home he lives in. 
 

Over the last week he has been deteriorating rapidly, loss of mobility, loss of continence, unable to talk to us, unable to do anything much than sleep, bed bound unless he was being held up on each arm. 
he had to get out of bed last Sunday while his air mattress was fixed and he was crying in pain the entire time. 
we have been visiting every day and he hasn't been speaking to us, barely even responding when he heard our voices and even his great granddaughter who he loves more than anything in the world. 

We rang the doctor to come and assess his pain medication yesterday as we thought it needed adjusting with him being in pain a lot of the time. 
when the doctor came he had a full conversation with her, and since then he has 'perked up' he has been out of bed, sat in the communal lounge, having conversations with the carers. The doctor even said he was just 'having us on' because he's lonely and feeling sorry for himself. 

we are now so confused. Like we're so happy he's feeling better and it's nice to see him out of bed but it's so unexpected and we were convinced he wouldn't make it to the end of the week how bad he was at the weekend. 
 

can anyone shed any light on if this has happened to them? Could he be getting better, maybe the end of life team thought he was worse than what he actually is?

 

thanks for reading such a long post!!

all replies are much appreciated x

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    sounds like a modern day miracle!! lets hope it lasts and your grandad continues to get better

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    Hi. Sometimes miracles do happen and if he's had a change of meds that may have helped BUT please be aware there is a well known phenomenon where people at end of life can rally for a short while before passing away. People who haven't eaten for days can request a meal, hold lucid conversations etc so it may be this or it may be it's not his time to go!

  • Offline in reply to Anon.J

    It's not uncommon for them to rally. My mother in law had pneumonia, failing organs and she was gravely ill (wasn't cancer btw). Similar to your grandad (but without the pain), most of the time she was barely responsive towards the end. The hospital had told us prior to her rallying that she may come around and everything may seem normal for a time, but she was classed as terminal as far as her pneumonia and her frailty was concerned.

    Lo and behold, she did rally. for a few days it was as if none of this was really happening, that both the doctors and nurses were wrong about her and that she'd be home in no time. Then a few days later she went right downhill again.

    I'm in no way saying this will be the case for your granddad, but just be aware this may be what is happening.  Enjoy this time with him.

  • Offline in reply to ProfBaw

    Thank you everyone for your replies. It means a lot when people take the time to offer experiences and advice to each other!

    I have read about the terminal lucidity, I think you always want to believe otherwise but that's what has concerned me and my sisters so much. But there has been no change in his medication that would prompt him to feel better. 
    He has become very aggressive since yeaterday and is now attempting to get out of bed constantly which is resulting in him falling out and being laid in a heap on the floor till the staff come to check on him, as he has no strength to stand himself up. It's so sad and so cruel to see what is happening to him. 
     

    I live 100 miles away from home so I am just praying that I am able to get to him when the time comes to be with him. 
     

    thank you for sharing your experiences everyone, it is deeply appreciated ️ And I am so sorry to anyone that has had to go through the loss of a loved one, whether it be cancer related or not, my heart goes out to you ️

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