Grimacing before passing

Specialties Hospice

Published

I was a hospice nurse for a few years... but my grandmother just passed and did something that I have not seen before.

First, she had a massive stroke a week ago. Initially she had a left ward gaze. Then this morning when I woke up, she had a right ward gaze. I have not seen a patient switch like that before. Any reason or cause?

Also, a few breaths before she passed away, she did a really hard grimace - eyes shut and everything - then seemed to relax and pass away. I have not seen that before either... was it discomfort? She had not had any facial expressions at all since the stroke.

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

I'm sorry for your loss. Its tough to lose someone we love.

Not having been there, I couldn't guess at what was going on.

Please, just remember your grandmother with love and concentrate on her love for you and your love for her and the good memories.

As for facial expression.. who knows, might have just been muscle/nerve twitching.

Remember, she is at peace now, and you need to find peace in your heart.

Hang in there.. She wil always be with you in memory and love.

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Specializes in NICU/L&D, Hospice.

My MIL did the same grimace with her last breath. It still bothers me that it may have been pain. My intuition tells me it was when her heart stopped beating. She passed quickly after that as it was during her last breath. She is now free from the bully of a brain tumor that had taken over.

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