My grandad - how long without fluids

[LadyVape]

Hi all. My grandad was taken into hospital Monday night after another stroke and epileptic seizures. The hospital can't do anything for him as he is very old so he is in a side room, no fluids, food or medication other than pain relief and sedatives.

I know he is going to die. My grandad was a submariner in the war, he's been married over 60 years and raised six boys. He's a proud man, a wonderful man and I know he wouldn't want all this fuss or a life without all the things he enjoyed.

I know it can vary however how long might he have left with no fluids etc?

Hi Op,

Ar you saying the hospital are not giving him fluids or food or he is refusing?

In my experience the hospital won't give you a timescale but with my dad it was just over 48 hours.

Usually up to 3 days (elderly nurse). Please understand it's not cruel to withhold fluids. If he's that ill, his organs are failing. Giving him fluid that he can't filter through his organs will just sit in his tissue, causing his limbs to swell and leak. It's important that the staff clean his mouth regularly so it doesn't feel dry.
I hope he's comfortable

I'm sorry you are going through this. I just want to wish you and your family all the best.

I am so sorry you are going through this, we had similar with FiL a few years ago. I am afraid in our case, he lasted for ten days.

Thankfully he know nothing, but for the family it was a deeply distressing time.

I do hope your grandfather passes quickly and, please, take care of yourself

Thanks, the hospital are refusing but because he can't swallow and because his body is shutting down. He wouldn't want it anyways.

Eighty and Lady it's just under two years since we went through this with dm. She was in a twilight state when she was aware for about 3 days, then had morphine and wasn't. Tell him how much he means now, and when he is unconscious, talk to others. Dm had erratic breathing and was distressed, my ds came round and we just sat chatting, she calmed right down. The Dr and district and Macmillan nurses were great at explaining the process, made it much less scary.
Hoping for a swift peaceful end. Look after yourselves too.