watching someone die

Im lucky, i've never really been in this position, but i remember my granddad was in hospital a week before my 10th birthday, and i didnt get to see him, but my dad said he wished me happy birthday, so i said to my dad to tell him i said thanks, but he died the next morning and i never even got to say thanks.

I still miss him cos me and him shared the same interests, and it turns out he smoked weed all his life, but i was to young to know what he was smoking in his pipe.

Im sorry man.

I dont really know what to say.

To BobBong, I appreciate you un deleting this thread.
As of this morning, he is still in the same state he was in yesterday. He had only a few teaspoons of water during the night and choked on them. I shaved him this morning and changed his clothes so he looks good for all the vistors that will be coming by today. I still havent had to give him any of the morphine. He seems to be very peaceful. He has a catheter in, so you can see the color of his urine. It is starting to come out almost a brown. He is dehydrating big time. He kind of acknowledged me this morning when I was shaving. You could see expressions on his face when you ask questions.

damn geo
your a good man
for doing what you do
it must suck to die alone

Bless you Geo, you've accepted one of the most important responsibilities with a sense of duty and honor that should be a benchmark for all of us. Seeing someone off is so..........I'd better stop now. Just had to let you know. God speed to your friend.

E Man

God bless you both, you for helping him, and him for preparing for that day we all will see ... :)

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Originally Posted by geonagual

To BobBong, I appreciate you un deleting this thread.
As of this morning, he is still in the same state he was in yesterday. He had only a few teaspoons of water during the night and choked on them. I shaved him this morning and changed his clothes so he looks good for all the vistors that will be coming by today. I still havent had to give him any of the morphine. He seems to be very peaceful. He has a catheter in, so you can see the color of his urine. It is starting to come out almost a brown. He is dehydrating big time. He kind of acknowledged me this morning when I was shaving. You could see expressions on his face when you ask questions.

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Hey, Geonagual. Good to see this thread continuing once again. Sounds like his body's doing just what it needs to with the inability to take in water and the concentrated urine--gradually shutting down the input/output. That's really good news that he doesn't seem to need to morphine sulfate. If he wants moisture in his mouth, ice chips didn't seem to choke my grandfather as much as complete liquid--or you can make him a homemade glycerin swab (like a real big homemade Q-tip, only dipped in glycerin or just dampened with water). Sounds like he's moving toward the light with a nice friend nearby. I'll be eager to read your next update when it comes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by geonagual

at this very moment I am watching someone die. He has stopped eating, drinking and has been prepared for death. He is not responding anymore and it is only a matter of time. At this point, I wonder what he is thinking. Is he in a happy place in his sub conscious mind or is his mind blank. I occasionally go into his room and give him some soothing words or ask if he needs anything or if he is hungry. No response, but I will keep trying until he takes his last breath. This will probably be in the next few days, I imagine, unless something drastically changes. BTW, he is 93 years old.

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Think Peace. 93, WOW! thats something to celebrate.:dance:
Hold his hand and feel the beauty.

dai*ma:stoned:

Friday was a crazy day with all kinds of emotion and with the plot thickening. Well, his pastor came in and I excused myself for about 10 minutes. When I came back the pastor was singing over him. He finished up and walked out and said to me "only a few more days". He left, and I walked in to check on him. As I walked in he opened 1 eye and was looking from side to side. Checking to see if the pastor had gone. It was really funny. I couldn't believe it, he has come to. He was asking for water and I was putting half a teaspoon in his mouth at a time. Then he ate some mashed potatos, a little applesauce and was talking. Really softly, I could understand some of the words. I asked him "how do you feel" and he said "I feel like I am dying" I asked him if he wanted to die and he said "yes".

I will finish the rest of the stuff that transpired on Friday during the day today when I have more time.

the best thing you can do for a dying person is to be with them, to give them cathersis and to let the person know you care. to spend your time with a dying person , giving them compassion, is the *most* compassionate thing one can do for any person. i see death as something we all share in common--you can't get out of life alive. it's something each human will go through. rather than seeing death as the ultimate tragedy, maybe we can look at it differently; the liberation of conscious from the tangible world. i've grown up around people dying, i was exposed to death at a very young age when my grandfather died in our house...

we will all soon join the dead. regardless of what you believe happens after we die, we can be sure that we will all experience it.

i feel it is important to empathise with the dying, to help them in coping. I would personally educate the dying person on the dying process, things which might be experienced (i.e. hallucinations), etc. but importantly, dying should not be a horrifying experience. we were born from nothing and we will become nothing once again. i think however, that you should be there to listen to the dying person. remember with them the good times you shared while you still can, and help the dying remember the good times they experienced in life.

Well, it has been a few days since I have posted on this. I had the past two days off and took my cousin out to Vegas.
I am back now and my friend is still alive, barely. Unfortunately, he has started developing sores in different parts of his body and it is hard to keep the blood circulating cause he dosen't move to much. I try to conciously help him move into different positons to help with everything. He is still only using only 2 medications, ativan and morphine. That is mostly is to help with the anxiety and breathing. He is off and on with the eating and drinking, maybe 4 oz of water at the most and every bite brings him closer to aspirating. It is crazy. He is getting to a point where he is barely concious when he is awake. I guess this is all a part of the dying process. It is just sad to see that it takes so long.

Also, I have never mentioned it:

He has a no resusitate clause in his will, which basically says no life support systems. Even IV's for food.