Death Rally?

CampCarol

Update: I'm sitting here in my kitchen after bringing my husband home on hospice almost a week ago from MC. He's now on day 31 of not eating anything and day 15 with no meds. He wasn't really drinking much for several days and all of a sudden over the weekend, he decided he was thirsty. He consumed about 3-4 cups of fluid yesterday and maybe 2 cups so far today. He is also remarkably lucid. I'm not sure what's happening. I've read about the death rally/terminal lucidity phenomenon, but I don't know if that's what this is. Has anybody had any experience with this?

trottingalong

My dad did not have dementia, but he did have cancer that had spread everywhere including his brain. He could chew food but couldn’t figure out how to swallow and one day stopped eating altogether. He always drank fluids though. He lost quite a bit of weight (he was already small) and was lucid and thirsty until the day before he passed. Then he was in and out of being lucid. If your husband hasn’t had food in a month, it’s only a matter of time and it’s all about comfort. I’m sorry you are going through this. It must be so difficult. Sending you a hug.

Anna2022

My experience was with my mother, who did not have dementia. She was on hospice and one day I arrived to find her happy, sitting up, lucid and talking. I was told by the nurses that this sometimes happens and to enjoy the moments. This lasted for a few hours, then she diminished again. She died a day or two later. I wish you both comfort during these days.

BPS

My dad had cancer and stopped eating and drinking then he was thirsty and we gave him the water he wanted. He died a couple of days later. God bless you

Gator1976

both my mother and my mother in law did the same thing. My mom (6 yrs with ALZ)was lucid and all together 2 hours before she died. My mother in law (10 yrs with ALZ) had it all together a week before she died. It was like all was well and she was all together. She died 2 weeks later.

ARIL

I wish you strength in all this…

My father-in-law, who did not have dementia but was extremely ill with cancer before his passing, spent his last day extremely lucid and in good spirits. It was a beautiful day, which gave my husband and me great comfort afterward. Still does.

CampCarol

Thank you all for taking the time to respond, I appreciate your sharing!