friend taken off dialysis-hospice

[texasstyle]

Hi everyone. Our good friend has just stopped his diaysis treatments of today. He had COPD along w/ renal failure. He is in respitory distress and now on a morphine drip. It's SO SAD to watch. The family and friends are at the house since early morning. I am just heartbroken. I wanted t know exaclky what happens and what to except in next few days when your treatment is stopped. How does the body react? It's ok to be honest. Thanks.

[okarol]

I don't know regarding end of life with dialysis, but I do know when my mother-in-law was in hospice with a morphine pump (cancer) she slept more and more over the last few days, then on the last day her breathing got slower, then she was gone. I am sorry about your friend and hope things go as peacefully as with my MIL. 

[paris]

Texasstyle, I am so very sorry for you and for the family.  This will be very hard for everyone during the next few days.   It is good to have Hospice there. They will keep your friend comfortable and will help the family through the transistion.   My prayers will be with you and your friend.   

[monrein]

I have no experience with the situation you describe but I do hope that things don't drag on too long and that he can be comfortable and at peace.   

[Sluff]

Personally I have had no experience with this, however I have heard that it is a peaceful transition.  My parents both passed on and used the morphine drip and pump but it was used to control pain because they both died from cancer. Morphine slows the heart rate. Sorry to hear this news but like I said I heard it was a peaceful way to go. 

[texasstyle]

Thank you everyone. I feel like I arms of friends from here around me at this time. Though I knew this time would come eventually, I can not believe it is here right now.I'm in kind of a shock. I can't stop thinking about it. I did do a little research on what can happen. I did read that a back up in the minerals can cause some twitching and possibly seizures, bit it not so much a painful thing. Also that the breathing will start to become shallow and rapid. As with anything knowledge helps you feel more prepared and better in control of an out of control situation. I can pass this information to the family so they won't be so frightened if they should see it happen. Plus, the hospice nurses should be there frequently to help. I've heard only wonderful things about them. Like some of you others, my mom died of cancer and was on a morphine drip. I was much younger in my 20's and certainly did not have the understanding I do know about life in general. I'm glad to hear it should be a peaceful transition. Through all he's gone through he had one of the optimistic attitudes of anyone I've ever known. Just an all round great person. As I'm thinking about it, he has really gone since Friday without a treatment. Thanks again. It makes me think that much more about life and living. Gee, we really should be so ever grateful of the good things that we have TODAY.

[KICKSTART]

I dont want to dwell on things at such a sad time for you but how does COPD and renal failure result in death? My mum has COPD and it is treatable ,she uses an inhaler . So im confused as to why your friend could not be treated? Especially as i am now showing the same symptoms as my mum, although ive not been checked out yet. As for going on morphine , well it totally puts you in another place. Many people end their days on morphine and go peacefully and unaware (my gran did) and i have had morphine in the past after surgery and you know very little of whats going on around you. Anyway thinking of you at this sad time and understand if you dont feel its the right time to answer my questions . 

[Mizar]

Texas, From what I have Read, The Renal part, is not Painful, it just leads into a Deep Sleep. I'm sure the Morphine, will help with any Breathing Problems at the End. I'm Sorry, Your Friend is Dying, I Sincerely mean that.

[texasstyle]

Kickstart, our friend just turned 76 (though 18 at heart!) & has had COPD for quite some time. Occasionally going through bouts of not being able to breath well he has been hospitalized but always done dialysis 3x a week. About 1 month ago he had one of his "bouts" and was in the hosp for 3 days. Although he came home in better shape than when he entered, Dr.'s put him on hospice care. Hospice care from the best of knowledge is when a Dr. has deemed a patient with less than 6 months to live. Since coming home from his last hosp stay he was put on continues oxygen and was oddly able to still function close to before. It confused me because he did not appear to be like a person on hospice. Well I guess Dr. knows best. Overnight out of no where he took a turn for the worst. Back to your question.COPD is when the balloon sacks called Alveoli can no longer expand and react properly when you breath. They in a sense become like dried out rubber bands with no elasticity left. There are different stages of COPD. Not everyone diagnosed is this severe. Everyone different of course. With out proper oxygen being able to supply the body with what it needs, the lungs particularly go into distress. Your heart needs oxygen, your brain needs oxygen, your blood, your organs, everything. I have a little better understanding now why they did not do dialysis. Think of the complications it would most likely cause. the dehydration is his case would be too overwhelming. Blood pressure effected, etc.. Probably so many others. The dialysis part I wasn't exactly sure how some one to respond to missing treatments though. That's mostly what Iwanted to know about and I am quickly learning. I don't want to seem so morbid or frighten anyone but I know that others like I have wondered what would happen. I am seeing this first hand and am considering my experience to be an education for others. Since his last day of dialysis he is now tonight itching a lot and very agitated. Slipping in and out of consciouses. the itching seems to be what I read earlier from a build up of the minerals.I'm sure that lack of oxygen and toxins are now effecting the brain and dictating how the rest of the body is going to react. I guess it's like a chain reaction in some ways. I know people that have died WITH COPD but not FROM it. Like I said everyone is different and I'm not trying to scare you in anyway. In my friends situation, this is how it's going. It appears like from what everyone's saying about the Morphine, that;s having it's effect too. It's basically a combonation of things. I still can't believe what has happened overnight. Like it came from nowhere and every couple hours that I see him just today, he is ailing even more. On the better side, hospice is taking are of his needs as well as his family and friends are around. He recently stated he did not want anymore hosp. visits. I'm not too good at accepting death as maybe others may be, I don't know. I do now that I'm learning in a matter of hours what happens. I just can't believe it's happening so quickly. He appears to be pain free. This is maybe an odd topic to talk about but I'm hoping others can benefit from it somehow. The whole thing still has me darn confused.

[paris]

I think this is a very good thread. We are learning with you.  When we have knowledge, we can face things easier.   Thank you for sharing this with us.  I hope our thoughts and prayers are some comfort to you during this very difficult time.   

[nursewratchet]

I hope this helps:  The fact that your freind has both renal failure and COPD are 2 different things.  The end of life will be from no dialysis.  The toxins will build up, as will the fluid.   In a short while, confusion, although very quiet and lethargic will set in.  The Morphine will "slow the respirations", but that also makes the breathing easier and more purposeful, so not as laborous with each breath.  Hospice will probably apply a Scopalamine patch, behid the ear.  That will help dry up secretions that come with the dying process.  Decreased to no appetite will follow.  That is ok, because as the body shuts down, the gut is the first one to do so.  It is also part of the process.  After that, the inability to drink or even swallow.  This is all part of the dbody just preparing to shut down, system by system.  There will be no pain involved.  Hospice will also probably provide an anxiety med, as people get very fidgety and restless as they approach dying.  Sometimes picking at sheets or the air.  That is called "termianal restlessness.  Is normal and common.  Not painful.  There are many symptoms and happenings of the dying process.  they can all be made comfortable.  and you are right, this is not scary if you know what to expect.  I hope this helps, and I'm very sorry for your loss.  You're friend has the easy part.   

[silverhead]

nursewratchet posted what I had to say in a much better way, sorry for your friend.
Tom

[texasstyle]

After thinking about I was going to reply back to KS that the 2 were seperate issues.  Yes Nurse Wratchet, that was EXTREMELY helpful! When I was younger my g-mom died and I noticed she was very what I thought "sweaty". I guess that was the secreations you were speaking of. I was with her the last few hours only so I did not witness what happened before. Am I accurate as to some of the reasons why dialysis would not be done? The human body is amazing and fasinating in how it works. It really is.

[okarol]

Not sure if you've seen this thread http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=15216.0 How Long Does It Take to Die Once You Quit Dialysis?

[Jean]

Sorry your friend is having to go thru this and you with him. I pray it is an easy passing.

[KICKSTART]

Thankyou very much for answering my questions at this difficult time . I hope your friend passes peacefully . 

[texasstyle]

Our friend Joe passed away at 5:30 this morning. No longer suffering he is at peace.

[Darthvadar]

Our friend Joe passed away at 5:30 this morning. No longer suffering he is at peace.

May he rest in peace...

He's hard a hard battle...

My deepest sympathies to you, and his family and friends...

Darth...

Darth....

[tyefly]

Glad the suffering is over...   remember his life.....   Memories are what keeps up going....

[paris]

My thoughts and prayers are with you today.  Joe is free from pain. Those left behind are the ones suffering now.  We are here, anytime you need to talk.  Take care of yourself during the next few days.   

[texasstyle]

I'm crying today. Man am I really gonna miss him.

[okarol]

  So sorry for your loss. RIP Joe.   

[Slywalker]

I'm really sorry for your loss. 

    

[monrein]

   May your friend Rest In Peace.

[glitter]

I am so sorry for your loss