[redding-er-rn]

I too am now a Hospice nurse. I recently had a young woman who was dying with a mild case of terminal restlessness. I was at the home and she was talking to me then suddenly she opened her eyes, looked at me and asked "(my name), why is when I open my eyes all the people go away?" I told her the people where there for her and it was OK to go to them. She very peacefully said "OK, that's what I'll do then." and passed away about 10 minutes later.

[moosemadness]

we should all be so lucky as to have a peacful end. I know I will because I belive I live the best I can. There's something to be said for how you live on this earth. I, too, have seen many peacful endings. They frequently reach for a loved one... sure makes it easier for me to know that dying can be ok, and when it's my turn, I hope it's that good for me.

[BarbaraNP]

Several years ago, I was the nursing director at a residential hospice program for people with AIDS. It was far more uncommon for someone not to have these experiences than to have them. I often told people, when they asked about all the folks in their rooms, that they were their guides. There just was never any question to the validity of that statement. It was fact for everyone.

On a more personal level, and a slightly different issue, is the visitation we as survivors receive when our loved ones pass. I remember my father walking up the drive way of our home (I was 16) telling me everything was going to be okay. It wasn't until I went back into the house that I realized what had happened...we had buried him 2 days previously. (My father continued to visit me for years until I was out of college).

My sister (a 1,000 miles away) was in ICU on full life support when she died after being ill for merely 10 hours. While I don't recall actually seeing her or feeling her, I started crying and had to leave work. I KNEW she had died.

I believe these incidents occur for us all...both while we are dying, and while we are living. I'm excited to find out what comes next...but I'll just wait until it's my turn.

BarbaraNP

[nurseneek]

I would like to think as nurses that we do so much to help people and their love ones that whatever vision we see will hopefully be of doctors struggling to do what we do as nurses. Wouldnt that be funny

[beckabeckahi]

Beyond the visions for the patients, I have felt a definite presence in the room with me as the patients pass. Of course, I have to check the pulse technically, but the feeling which I can't describe otherwise has never steered me wrong.

[suanna]

Although I am a nurse, my most vivid experience with this comes from my mother when she was in the hospital. She was an end stage COPD patient and was teetering on the edge of a full arrest. As she was going out she looked up and past us (her children) in the room and said "Mom?.... Oh! look at all the flowers, they're so beautiful." Then she coded. Got her back that time but she had no recall of the incident. I think it was just hypoxic encephalopathy but my sisters take great comfort in my mothers' glimpse of the other side.

[tencat]

I work in hospice, and every patient I've had sees someone before they pass. In fact, my coworkers and I know the end is close when the patients move into this phase. I work with some patients who are from a culture that finds this phenomenon very, very disturbing. These patients often do not take comfort from it, but see it as something really scary. That kind of unsettles me, though I know they are seeing passed loved ones due to what they are saying (as translated by family members). It does make one think when all kinds of different people from a variety of backgrounds and cultural beliefs all experience the same phenomenon.

[RN Randy]

Originally Posted by emsboss

I also have seen many of the beautiful peaceful scenes just described. But, (y'all knew it was coming, didn'y ya?) I saw one young man, early 20's, losing to cancer who woke up in the middle of the night SCREAMING at the top of his lungs "HE is coming to get me HE is coming to get me!!!!" We all rushed into the room and it was horrible. The pt was backed up into the corner (he was too weak earlier to make the bathroom, used a BSC), IVs out, blood everywhere and pointing to the crucifix on the wall and SCREAMING. As we tried to get him back in bed he grabbed a nurse by the throat and then...simply fell over with the most horrified look on his face and died(DNR/DNI). When the mortuary came and picked him up he still had that expression on his face. I believe in a peaceful afterlife...BUT...There is also a not peaceful one also...I think...

Rest assured there is a Hell, and it is getting more full by the day. I so hate to see people refuse to believe it exists and just blow it all off with comments like "He was a good guy... did a lot of good things and I'm sure he's up there watching #3 race in person now." [That particular one always makes me chuckle, sorry.]
How can you believe in Heaven and not Hell?

I know most folks just want to assume all is well, and not think about the possibility that Hell exists. No one wants to believe their loved one is burning for eternity, but let me tell you if no one else has.... really good people die and end up in Hell.
Being 'good' or doing good deeds will not promise you salvation or a ticket to Heaven.
Promising God that while you know you're doing wrong, you plan to repent for it at a later time, is a doomed plan as well. [That's called iniquity.. purposeful sin... check into it!]
Salvation is the only way to assure eternal life peeps, so if you're not sure, best go see your local saved person ASAP for details. When Jesus judges us, you really want him to say "I know this one." to God.

In short, you can have one heck of a llife, live in the fast lane, party hearty, and leave skid marks as you slide sideways into your final parking spot.... and not be drunk, stoned, screwing, lying or stealing during the process. Really.

Yes, there are a lot of boring LOL's in the church, but they choose to live the way they do, as can you. It's not your [or their] place to judge, and don't allow anyone's judgement to make decisions for you.
It's your thing.. but just don't forget to read [and follow] the rule book!

For topic, yes, I've always marvelled at the types/differences in the way people die and what they see that we can't. It's very reassuring that there is indeed something special on the other side.
rb

[redding-er-rn]

I agree with you completely. I see a lot of death and I believe you can tell where someone is headed based on their dying experience.

[martinb216]

Many years ago I worked in a nursing home caring for a lady who was dying. About an hour before she died she looked terrified and kept pointing to a corner of the room but would not tell us what she saw. She insisted that her daughter[who was with her] hold up a picture of the Pope before her face. This settled her and she passed away peacefully