On 8/5/2007
Enich38 wrote:
First of all, I wish you luck with your friends. The next few weeks will be tough for you all.
I can't speak to the cognitive progression of your friend exactly, but I can let you know how my dad progressed. He had lung cancer that mets to the liver and brain. He did not experience the problems with the medicine that you all have had, so I can only imagine how scary and confusing that must have been. In the last couple of weeks as the cancer had moved into the brain, he would seem more confused and had trouble connecting thoughts. He confused names, would lose his train of thought, etc. That was about it. However, in the very last days (within 2-3 of him passing) he seemed to "be in another place and time". He was sleeping mostly but would talk to people that weren't there and talk about activities that he hadn't done since he was a kid. A booklet that hospice gave us describes this as bridging the gap between the living world and the other side.
However, it sounds as though your friend is not at this stage yet. When my dad was lucid and alert, he stated that he was ok with dying . He knew that he could not win his battle and made peace with it. With your friend talking of future plans, it is my guess that she has not made peace with being in the end stages. She is not ready to go. I would recommend asking hospice about talking with a counselor for you, your friend's husband, and her. They should be able to provide guidance and help with this most difficult time.
God bless you all.
Eric.
Hi Eric,
Thank you for your kind words and the advise. I will talk to the Hospice people. Goid Bless you!
Prudence