Follow
Share

My mom was admitted to hospice care officially two days ago, after not eating for three days and barely drinking for two. She has now not ate in 5 days and not drank in 4 (occasional ice chip for dry mouth). The last 24 hours she has mostly slept but during the night she has developed a fever. I was expecting her body to start cooling as her final days approached. Is a fever common also?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Do take the time now to say anything you feel needs to be said to your loved one.

Both my parents were on hospice. With my dad, the hospice said he had about two weeks - daddy passed about four days later. When hospice told me my mom was "transitioning" and it would be several days to a week - I immediately went and saw my mom. Mom passed about 16 hours later.

Yes - hospice nurses are the experts in recognizing the signs of imminent death - but often times death occurs on its own timetable.

I'm so sorry for what your going through.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

Huddlo, so sorry to read about your mother. Your best bet as to how much time is left is to ask the Hospice nurse. The nurses are very good at giving you a ballpark time frame, and some can actually narrow it down to a couple of days.

When my Mom was on Hospice, I got a call that within 48 days she would be passing, and the Hospice was right on that call. Same with my Dad.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Thanks for the response. Yesterday they told me it could be a few days to a week. Today they said it is hard to tell. They did tell me that fever is normal, as well as the higher heart rate she has right now. I just hate this process. It is so hard to watch.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Thinking of you huddlo...

Sending you courage and a big hug
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

I am so sorry about your mom. Spend whatever time you have to be near her, hold her hand, tell her you love her and it's ok to leave.
Yes it's very difficult to watch but you will cherish this time you have together. It's a hard time but was very spiritual for me. I was so blessed to have been there with my mother.
It was also the most difficult time of my life at the same time.
My thoughts are with you.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Sorry to hear of your news, Huddlo. Take care of yourself.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Oops, correction to my posting above... it should read 48 hours instead of 48 days.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

"Nothing in life will call upon us to be more courageous than facing the fact that it ends. But on the other side of heartbreak is wisdom." ~ film, I Wish I Was here.

My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

My mom is still holding on. I've told her it is ok to go. I just hate seeing her like this.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Huddle is Mom waiting for something? There is often someone they want to see or an event like a new baby.
You have recieved excellent advise above so try and stay positive.
Hospice nurses are indeed good at giving you a time frame but what they see are changes from day to day. One day it may look like two weeks and the next three days then that night or hours.
As a hospice nurse I once told another nurse that her patient would pass at 10 am on Sunday morning. Not because I was psychic but because I had seen her and knew the time was short and she and hubby were very religious and had their own service every Sunday morning. The nurse called me at midday to tell me that I had been correct. Many patients did pass on a Sunday if they had strong religeous beliefs.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter