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Do things just suddenly change leading to death

Keey17
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My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer which has spread to liver and nearly the whole of liver was effected.  The oncologist gave a prognosis of 3- 6 months 11 weeks ago as dad refused any treatment 

 I have seen a real decline this week in my dad , he sleeps or does most of the day. He has had a couple of falls which luckily someone has caught him before he reached the floor . He has list so much weight and a lot of his muscle mass and eats very little.

He said he feels his time is near , he is able to use the toilet independently and wash and dress himself but it tires him . 

My question really is can things go from " relative normality" to death quite quickly . The dr and nurses suggest the dying can progress very quickly and out of no where .

Can anyone help or offer any information or advise please on what happens next 

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    So sorry Keely. I think the answer is in your post. The advice given by the team Doctor & nurses. Is the best anyone can give . Hoping your Dad is not in pain & you can spend lots of time by his side. Be strong  regards pip.

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    Hi Keey17,

    I'm sorry about your Dad's diagnosis. 

    I lost my Dad to cancer, 8 weeks after diagnosis. My dad went from being active and thinking he just had back pain to deteriorating rapidly after being given the diagnosis. 

    My Dad ended up agitated and confused and lost the ability to be able to move around safely and independently. Dad was admitted to hospital in October and seemed to pick up on discharge but he then passed away two weeks later in hospice. 

    I had no idea that we would lose dad so quickly and things for us did change very rapidly. I didn't realise at the time and it is only after his death when trying to find answers that I found that there were stages to dying. 

    For around a week prior to his death dad got more confused and wouldn't want to eat or drink. His feet also swelled but this may have been to do with inactivity. 4 weeks prior to him going in hospice we were talking as normal. 

    Doctors and nurses did not give us any indication that dad may pass away in weeks. Hospice staff were different, when they tried to reverse dad's confusion and couldn't and with him sleeping more they were able to give a time frame as they are experienced in treating terminal patients. 

    My heart goes out to you.

    Xx

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