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Discussion

How much Time is Left

Hi. I will be brief my father has rectal cancer which has spread to his liver all treatment has been stopped. There is a tumor on his rectum. Doctors said there is nothing they can do. He is 83 yrs old. He is in a nursing home and hospice has been called in. He is starting to get rectal bleeding which the nurse informed us was a substantial amount. The nurse told us this morning the end is near. Does anyone have an estimate just what that means. are we talking hours,days,weeks. He eats 3 meals a day. Sleeps a lot. When family is there he seems to be with it. ANy info would be very grateful. Thanks, Have a blessed day.

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    I truly am very sorry you and your family are going through this very sad and confusing time. This is a question for your father's physician or nurse, though. Be prepared that they may not have an exact answer as to exactly how much time is left, as no one can predict the future. The most important thing is to enjoy every day and every moment with your father.

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    No one will be able to answer this question better than an experienced hospice nurse...which I am not.

    Peace Be With Your Family

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    The best people to answer this question are the medical staff providing his care...and even then their answer may only be a best guess. People given only weeks or days to live have lasted many times longer than that, while others who were given a better outlook deteriorated rapidly.

    I'm sorry you're going through this. Enjoy the time you have with your father and make the most of each day.

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    I'm sorry for what your family is going through.

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    i'm so sorry for your angst...

    not knowing, is one of the worst parts of the dying process.

    even as a hospice nurse, i would not give an answer, since ea patient is different in presentation and, we just do not know.

    much of it will depend on the extent/severity/frequency of the bleeding.

    whether it is meds, other comorbidities, or anemia that is making dad sleepy, remains unknown.

    but do know, bleeding that results in loss of life, IS a very peaceful way to go.

    i say that most sincerely.

    wishing you and yours, strength, faith, and peace.

    leslie

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    • Expert

    I too am so sorry you and your family are going thru this but this isn't something any of us can answer.

    Please discuss your concerns with his medical providers.

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