Life support removed 5 days still alive?

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is hope this is the right place. ..My 58 yr old sister suffered 2 heart attacks and an EEG is 0.5 brain dead....After holding on for 4 weeks we decided to removed life support. Now it's been 5 days ago and she still hanging on...morphine drip is now 52mg/h plus Ativan every 2 hrs...help how long can she hold on and why?

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Specializes in critical care.

Hi, twinkie. I am so, so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, allnurses isn't a place where you'll be able to get answers to these questions. Partially because TOS really doesn't allow it, but also because it really is impossible for any of us to know.

I offer you hugs, and hope peace may come to you and your family.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Depends a lot on her physiologic state before the insult of her health crisis.... I have seen 10-12 days, without the patient being able to take sig calorie and hydration.... My own dear mother 10days.. Love and hugging support to you and your family

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

I may have violated TOS, didn't mean too, but just sharing my 43+ years of experience

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

My heart goes out to you, so sorry for your loss.

As others have stated, no one knows for sure. And, we may not offer medical advice per se here on allnurses.com.

You may ask her caregivers/doctor but even they will not be able to "predict."

Please keep talking to her and touching her.

I hope you have some family and friends supporting you.

I will close this now.

Bless you.

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