Blackened Teeth?

Hi Everyone,

You've all helped me before, and I need to call on your kindness once again.

My MIL (I've listed her history below) had a massive seizure on Thursday. It lasted for an hour and 15 minutes - although the doctors were administering medication trying their best to get it under control.

She has not really gained consciousness since this time and has not had any food or water. They do have the seizures under control now, and she is finally comfortable (managing her pain as been a HUGE challenge, as I discussed in another thread).

It does appear that the end is quickly coming, and we are preparing ourselves as much as possible. 

One thing that is really bothering me is that her teeth have turned black since the seizure. We have been very diligent of her dental care, and she would be so upset by this. Could there be another explanation as to why this happened. I want to ask the nurses but it seems like such a trivial thing to be concerned with in the grand scheme of things.

Finally, could anyone could please share how much time she can be expected to live without food or water? My husband said that the doctor suggested a couple of weeks, and this is what he has told family members. I am familiar with the brainhospice timeline, and feel that two weeks is wrong and that perhaps my husband misunderstood. This is important as family have to travel a great distance to come and see her.

Once again, I thank you.

Michelle

(diagnosed GBM in right parietal lobe Apr 09, finished chemo/rad Jul, massive progression and growth of another tumour, decided on no more treatment & hospice Aug 09)  

Michelle,

Sorry to hear about your MIL. I have no answer about the blackened teeth. But I wanted to tell you that no one knows how much time a patient may have left since everybody's different. My MIL has been alternating between unconsciousness and consciousness for the past two months. She's been discouraged to eat or drink for her developing pnumonia. Some bad days, she will sleep 20+ hours, then the next day, she will surprise us by being awake and wanting food or water. Some days she won't talk nor respond, then the same night, she blurts out a word and talks back what's been said to her. Her eyes are cloudy in the morning, then I see a twinkle from the same eyes that evening. I think you have a reason to be hopeful too, especially if that was a quick drop, she may bounce back.

First I would like to say I am so sorry your all having to go through this horrible disease.  My sister Gina was 37 years old and when she stopped eating and drinking, she lasted 11 days without food and water.  It was very hard she was not on an IV or anything and it was literally killing me inside to watch this.  Her eyes were always closed.  She barely opened them and then her breathing changed and she passed away with all of our family surrounding her on August 10th.  I will pray for you all, I know how difficult this is.  I miss her so much every single day.  Gina left behind three children ages 15, 16 and 9 months old.  It's devistating.  She started having a lot of problems with her teeth alos but they didn't turn black so I am not sure what that means or how that happens.  It just seems like the entire body shuts down.  She also developed 5 blood clots.  I was on the brain hospice web site also.  It seems pretty accurate everything that is on there basically happened to my sister.

Danielle W.

sister of Gina T. diagnosed May 2008 passed August 10, 2009