They've withdrawn food and fluids - how long?

[Firesidefox]

MIL has throat and lung cancer. It came on very suddenly six weeks ago (or was discovered then). She had an op five days ago but didn't get back to normal after it and the docs say there's nothing more that can be done.

They called DH to her bedside today as she was 'unresponsive' and then said they would take out her feeding tubes. To hasten the inevitable death I suppose.

It's miserable for him and his dad.

Any idea how long this stage might last? Hospital won't put an estimate on it but we are all hoping it'll be quick as she's unconscious and there's no point stringing this awful stage out.

Thank you

Just to update this thread in case anyone else is in the same position and clicks on it. My MIL died early this morning.

Thank you for all your kind messages. I really appreciated them and read them out to DH. It really helped x

I'm so sorry for your loss.

So sorry to you all

So sorry for your loss, and offering you and your DH a comforting hand-hold

So sorry

So very sorry 💐

This has to stop. There are far kinder ways of hastening the end.

Thank you all. And I did wonder about that @MrsSkylerWhite

I'm so sorry. I remember my mum's distress at my nan not getting any fluids. We're superstitious (different culture) and it seemed so wrong for her to pass away starved of food and fluid.

when I was with a very close friend at the end of her life - the hospice explained that it was cruel to continue with any tube feeding or hydration because of the way the body was closing down, she would have been drowning in her own body fluids. Moisturising the mouth was the kindest, most ethical, option. It is not done to hasten the end of life, but to make that end less traumatic for the person dying.

Having watched end of life care in both a hospital and a hospice I have to say I would fight tooth and nail for the hospice.

So sorry about your MIL @Firesidefox, but I don't think the withdrawal of food and water was cruel.

Thank you @NeverEndingFireworks - that is really interesting and helpful to know. I shall pass it on to DH as it will comfort him, too.

Thank you