Symptomatology of Dying

Some of the symptoms of dying that I have mentioned in previous posts:

One to three months prior to death:
-Anorexia
-Spiritual Distress
-Nausea & Vomiting
-Fatigue/increased need for sleep
-withdrawal from the world and from people (increased introspection / talking less)
-malodorous wounds

One to two weeks prior to death:
-Confusion
-Picking at Clothes / Tubing
-Seeing / Talking to the Deceased
-Terminal Restlessness/Agitation
-decreased blood pressure
-increased or decreased pulse
-skin color changes – pale or blue
-increased perspiration / body temperature changes
-sleeping most of the time

Days or Hours prior to death:
-Fixed stare (Eyes glassy, tearing, half or fully open)
-Death rattle
-Wavering level of consciousness
-surge of energy / restlessness or no activity
-irregular breathing / periods of apnea
-weak pulses / cool extremities
-decreased urine output & incontinence
-cannot be awakened

Movie Reviews

-Big Fish
-Corpse Bride
-Cries & Whispers
-Life as a House
-My First Mister
-The Sea Inside
-Steel Magnolias
-What the Bleep Do We Know

"Your Truth" Scenarios

-Angry Denial
-Boundaries
-Canada’s Right to Die
-Chemotherapy with Poor Prognosis
-Confusion & Code Status
-Cost of Dying
-Decision Making Power & Dialysis
-Dehydration at End of Life
-Discordant Family
-Don’t Tell - Dementia
-Don’t Tell My Child She’s Dying
-Frequent Call Light
-God is Punishing Me
-I Want to Call My Wife
-I’m Dying
-Impatient Mourners
-Not Important to Me
-Treat Cancer with Dementia?
-Will You Pray with Me?

Book Reviews

-Final Gifts
-Looking for Alaska
-Tuesday’s with Morrie