Posted by Diane C.-TX on 2/14/2007, 7:13 pm, in reply to "Touched by post below-They can hear you" Don't be afraid to ask to be alone, time to be by yourself is necessary. Be your own counsel. No one, including your physician, spouse or friends can understand 100 percent what you want and need. Some people may treat you differently after learning that you are dying. Be patient; they may be more bearable after a brief adjustment period. Search for one individual to be your final helper. When you do, make certain that your family doctor knows whom you've appointed to serve in that role. If there is any question about what is being done to you, ask your doctor and/or nurse to explain so that you can understand. Pre-planning will give your loved ones both assurance that your wishes are being followed and peace of mind from the knowledge that decisions have already been made. As you begin to get closer to death, you will become weaker and sleep more, especially if your pain has been eased. Near the very end of life, your breathing becomes slower -- sometimes with very long pauses in between breaths. Some pauses may last longer than a minute or two. Your loved ones will know death has happened because your chest will not rise and they will feel no breath or pulse. I admire your courage to share your thoughts with us. I will pray that you have a very smooth transition. May God bless you Matti, and keep you in His care---ALWAYS! Love and Peace, Di
68.116.144.214
I would like to share with you what I have learned from being a cancer nurse, hospice nurse, and cancer patient. Touch and hearing are the last two senses to diminish as one dies. Even comatose and sedated people can hear and feel touch. Now is the time to tell your loved ones this. The most important thing your loved ones can do for you while you go through the dying process is to be there. Although you may not appear to be able to hear or see them, they should continue to explain to you what is being done and by whom---even if it is simply fluffing a pillow or changing the sheets. You must be treated as though you are fully aware of your surroundings. They should tell you who is in the room, who is touching your arm or patting your shoulder. They should remind you of the time and date. Please ask them not to talk about you in the past tense, as though you are already deceased.
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