End of Life Overview Questions

1. How do I deal with a hospice nurse who isn't as knowledgeable as I'd like?

   Sometimes, families have not had hospice thoroughly explained to them. Some expect more interaction by the nurse, social worker, or hospice aide than the benefit covers. While your mother’s nurse comes twice a week now, that could change as her disease progress...
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

2. How do I convince my Dad that our family will be alright after he dies?

   Talking openly and honestly about end-of-life concerns can be difficult even for close families. The inevitably of the situation can make “finding the right words” impossible. Much of what is going on now for you, your family, and your Dad is what we call anticipatory grief, or grieving in advanceance of the event...
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

3. What is it called when fluid builds up on arms and causes sores?

   When someone is at the end of life, their bodies begin to slowly shut down. As they approach death, their gastric system slows its digestion of food and fluids. Their comes a point where the body cannot handle extra fluid, and it will try to store the fluid in the body tissues as a way of dealing with it...
   1 Expert Answer

4. Was heart valve surgery the only option?

   First of all we are sorry to hear about the passing of your grandmother. Unfortunately it sounds like your grandmother developed advanced heart failure over the last year of her life. This occurs when the heart muscle weakens and causes many of the symptoms you described your grandmother had...
   1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

5. Is slurred speech and mood swings part of end stage congestive heart failure?

   Slurred speech and mood swings are not "typical" symptoms of the end stage of congestive heart failure but can occur. Congestive heart failure is caused by a weakened heart muscle which can affect the circulation to the brain, this can lead to mood swings and slurred speech...
   1 Expert Answer

6. How do I tell my son I need a break from my grandsons during my husband's final days with lung cancer?

   It sounds like you are a very caring person, but with too much on your plate. It is unfortunate your son has not recognized he is asking too much of you, but generally we see what we want to see. He sees that there are times you enjoy your grandsons, then may tell himself it is as good for you as it is for his for his sons...
   1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

7. Should we keep putting Mom through rounds of tests? Or is enough, enough?

   I believe your question is whether your mother is receiving too many or perhaps unnecessary tests, and I understand your concern. This is a difficult question to answer in part because heart failure, a flare of COPD, a worsening of kidney function, and anemia, could all present as a feeling of “justst not feeling well”...
   1 Expert Answer

8. Is my grandmother going through a phase or is this really the end?

   Your grandmother has been diagnosed with two diseases that affect both her heart and her lungs. Both conditions are using up her energy by making breathing, which we take for granted, extremely difficult for her. She needs to sleep more just to restore her body...
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

9. How long can my mother survive in hospice with out eating or drinking?

   sadly I was right, my Mom passed away 3 days after I posted this, I know she is not suffering anymore but my world feels empty right now :-( I am so sad I don't even have words enough to describe, thanks for your reply even if late I appreciate it greatly. God Bless
   2 Community Answers

10. How long can my grandmother live with out food?

    Hi Tommy P,
    1 Community Answer

11. Does low voltage in the frontal plan on an EKG mean the end is near with COPD?

    My roommate and close friend has end stage COPD, is on oxygen and recently had a EKG. One of the results of the EKG stated low voltage in the frontal plane. I have researched and from what I see, it says there is a high mortality rate associated with this, most likely within one year. Are these tests ever wrong...

12. Heart failure and end of life -- What are the common symptoms of someone who is dying?

    Hello everyone, my Grandpa was hospitalized a month ago with pneumonia and gout. Doctors also found a shadow on his kidney. He has diabetes and also congestive heart failure. He lost a lot of weight and can't weigh more than 100 lbs. He isn't eating or drinking much either...