hospice nurses--personal beliefs in life after death

(((son))) - watching/waiting for your mom to pass, will undoubtedly be the most trying part of this journey.

what the others have mentioned is true, however, if her pain is not properly managed, she may not exhibit the characteristic signs of impending death.
she should not be grimacing, and it is imperative her pain is properly attended to.
only then, can one can give an assessment of where she is in her process of dying.
once her pain is controlled, you will typically see the increased sleep, disinterest in food, which can continue for weeks, even months.
sometimes she may appear disoriented when she awakens from sleep.
she may appear confused, or say something 'off the wall'.
it is my belief that as we shut down, we are betw 2 worlds - inbetween the here and there.
when her time is almost here, there is a good chance she will be meeting/seeing loved ones who have already passed.
if this happens, i encourage you to embrace it and her, for it is very comforting for the pt to experience this.
if able, it is also important to smile when she shares such events w/you, and tell her "that is wonderful, mom".

i am getting ahead of myself, and for that, i am sorry.
right now, focus on getting her pain properly managed.
after that, the rest should fall into place.

we are here for you.
please keep us updated.

wishing you peace, faith and enlightment.

leslie