FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 - DYING - PART II

 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 - THE PROCESS OF DYING

Yesterday, I did an overview of dying. Let’s finish it off today.

I’m using:
The process of dying | healthdirect

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE 24 HOURS BEFORE DEATH?

Someone close to death will spend most of the time asleep. They may be unable to communicate when awake because their senses are failing. However, they may still be able to hear, so they usually speak to them.

Some people have a burst of energy in the 24 hours before they die. They may sit up and talk generally for a short period.

Physical signs that death is near include:

• mottled and blotchy skin, especially on the hands, feet and knees

• blood pressure decreases

• they can't swallow

• less urine and loss of bladder control

• restlessness

• difficult breathing

• congested lungs

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HOURS BEFORE DEATH?

In the hours before death, most people fade as the blood supply to their body declines further. They sleep a lot, their breathing becomes very irregular, and their skin becomes cool.

Those who do not lose consciousness in the days before death usually do so in the hours before they die.

Most people are calm now, although some may be restless or agitated.

Some symptoms a person may experience during this time include:

• glassy, teary eyes that may be half-open

• cold hands

• weak pulse

• hallucinations

• being fast asleep

• gasping, or periods where breathing completely stops

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE DIES?

When someone dies, their heart stops, and they stop breathing. Within a few minutes, their brain stops functioning, and their skin starts to cool. At this point, they have died.

The signs that someone has died are:

• there is no breathing or heartbeat

• they cannot be woken up

• their skin is pale and waxy

• their eyelids might be half-open

• their pupils are fixed

• their mouth may fall open

The moment of death is usually peaceful.

*****

Note to myself: I see TL five times a week and help feed her. So far, she isn’t showing any significant signs of dying, and I will be watching as that time comes.

They tell caregivers not to get too involved emotionally with the dying. I’ve been with TL for three years, and I’m close. It may be hard on me - or it might be easy on me.

We tend to say soothing things like “She’s in a better place now”. As a Christian, I’m not sure where that person is - and without going deeper into theology, we’ll agree with that statement. She is (or will be) out of pain, out of the struggle. I’m not sure of the resurrection of the body - of judgment day, of separating the “Sheep and the Goats.”  That’s not for me. I don’t play God anymore.

The article says, “Death is usually peaceful”. I’ll take that as a positive.

*****

Yes, I am going to die. Yes, all of you reading this are going to die.

And, without going into theology, maybe the Hail Mary prayer of Catholics, “Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death,” might have some special merit.