How long can a person survive without Eating or Drinking? - Cancer Message Board

MommyNeecey · 07-23-2002, 01:00 PM

Hello all, my aunt appears to be in the final stages of life and it's tremendously disheartening to see how this has happened (the downhill part) SO fast! She literally went from one day walking about - to the next day being hardly able to walk - to the next day bedridden.

She has not eaten in 1 week, and she drinks EXTREMELY little (as in a dropper full when her medicine is given).

The hospice nurse said it would be about 2 weeks (that was 1 week ago today). Her breathing is very deep at times with the apeana ocurring often.

The hospice nurse said her lungs were filling up yesterday.

I know we are doing nothing wrong by her not eating, but it is hard to know that she is NOT eating a single bite - of course you ask her if she's hungery and she says, "no ..." Of course now she can barely respond.

When they said it happens fast, WOW they meant it. It's so very sad. We've all been told to tell her to "Let Go" - and we have and she still lingers so she is proving to go on "her terms". ANd that's fine. We continually are telling her how much we love her and for her to go on to her new life and be happy. I really hope she can understand all what we are saying .....

I hate to think of the "hunger pains" in her stomach she might be having, as last night she was really tensing up like she was in extreme pain. We just keep giving her the Roxinol (morphine) and the Lorazepam (Ativan). We give these meds around every 6 hours.

Does anyone know how the "dying" body can survive so long with NO food or nourishment? I don't want her to "starve" to death, I want her just to pass peacefully!

Thanks for all your help and support.

Jay Tor · 07-23-2002, 02:41 PM

Hi:

A few years ago I was in a similar situation, sitting in a hospital and watching an aged family member die. Even a peaceful and anticipated death can still come as a shock.

Your question about how long a person can survive without eating - depends on how much fat reserve they have and whether they're receiving any hydration and/or TPN.

Take care,
Jay

MommyNeecey · 07-23-2002, 02:50 PM

She has "zero" fat reserve I'd say as she is barely 100 lbs right now (down from 170) and she isn't getting any water, just barely a dropper full with her medicine as she is incoherent most of the time.

Jay Tor · 07-23-2002, 03:47 PM

The circumstances were quite different - very old age [~95] versus cancer. In our situation, by this stage of dehydration, refusing food, etc., it was about 3 or 4 days before he died. This was also when everyone finally realized there was nothing anyone could do - just sit, talk to him and wait.

This is really a bad time for you; good luck,
Jay

SamQKitty · 07-25-2002, 08:49 PM

Hi Mommy Neecy,
The breathing you refer to as "apnea" is more likely Cheyne-Stokes respiration, which usually indicates that death is iminent. My Dad died within 24 hours of starting Cheyne-Stokes, my Mom lasted almost a week.

As far as "hunger pains", your aunt most likely isn't feeling much of anything by now, so don't worry about her experiencing hunger pains.

I know this has been an extremely difficult experience for you. My wish is for you to find the strength to get through the next week or so...your aunt is so very lucky to have such a caring family.

Ruth