Terminal lucidity in a dying parent- is this real?? What a headfuck!

My step-dad did the same - 'woke-up' asked for and drank a gin and tonic (God bless the hospice nurses, we had a lovely chatty evening and then passed away the next morning.

The hospice staff said it happens all the time.

Same with my mum, she was close to the end but not eating, etc, but suddenly requested a bowl of ice cream and a shot of Scotch for both of us! She passed shortly after

A swan song.

My dad had terminal cancer. Towards the end he was unconscious and suddenly woke up, reached out to me and pulled me close for the biggest hug and didn't let go for ages. He didn't say anything. He slipped right back into a deep sleep and passed away a few days later.

I hope his passing is peaceful, OP. It's such an emotionally painful time for loved ones. 💐

my daughter was lucid right till the end but as a nurse i do know always liken your situation to the calm before the storm. please also remember that patients can hear you talking to them even though it looks like they are unconscious so always continue to include them. stay strong x

We were caring for my Mum at home and the nurse came every day to do morphine driver. After days of sleeping for about 22 hours of the day one day my Mum was awake for 5-6 hours. She was talking to us and seemed to be getting better. I was so happy. The nurse asked to speak to me. She told me even though my Mum appeared to be getting well she wasn't and it was the body's way of preparing for their last days. She died two days later. I will always be so grateful for the few hours she was talking and laughing and smiling with me 2 days before she died.

My Dad did the day he died. The cancer had spread to his brain and most of the time he was asleep or talking nonsense. The Marie Curie nurses told us that death was imminent. My sisters and I were all sitting around his bed sharing memories whilst he slept. He then sat up and asked what we were all doing there and how lovely it was to see us. I do treasure that moment.

I'm really sorry to tell you this but it's called a rally. My mum did this, she'd been unconscious and we arrived at the hospital and she was chatting to the nurses, laughing and was completely lucid. My dad and I were amazed, and thought she was turning a corner.

One of the nurses kindly explained what was happening and said this happens a lot with terminally ill patients and they call it a rally and to be prepared for her to pass soon.
Sadly she passed peacefully that night.

Sending strength and love to you and your family.

My grandad was close to death and sleeping 23hrs a day when he suddenly woke, asked for and devoured a banana split and then went back to sleep, never to wake again. It was a good way to go.

Yes both my gps had this not long before they died, my nana was the night before.

Also many of the patients I worked with in nursing homes

My dad had this shortly before he died. It's like they get stronger for the journey ahead.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. It is a massive curveball when this happens.
My nan had it shortly before she died and when discussing it on here, I had a lot of people comment the same had happened to their relatives.
All you can do is try and take from it what you can and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Thinking of you and your family. X

When my mum was on end of life care, hardly eating or drinking, being delusional and forgetful, she suddenly asked me to cook eggs for her. We had the best, most lucid chat ever and discussed her life, her funeral and how much we loved each other.
I spoke to the nurse the next morning and said she couldn’t be dying because she’d been bloody well.
the nurse told me many people have a lucid period before they die.
Mum died two days later. I cherish that evening I had with her.
sending you love ❤️

Yes, please prepare yourself for the fact that the end is likely near.
My experience of working in care (not clinically trained) was that patients could become lucid and this was generally a predictor that death was imminent.

I’m sorry you’re going through this and I hope you have support.