Final symptoms of Terminal Lung Cancer and Dying
75Death is an art
The final symptoms of terminal lung cancer
Dying is an individual life event. Yes, it is part of life. When a friend or loved one shows the final symptoms of terminal lung cancer, there is a lot of variation in how to deal with it. Some people will feel great pain, others not so much. Some approach dying in the same way that they dealt with life, with gusto. Some have disabling fear. Some people die quickly, others linger. The survivors want to help, but need to know how best to recognize the dying process and its symptoms.
Common Symptoms
Lung cancer’s obvious symptom is shortness of breath. As the malignant cells invade the lung tissue and build masses, the lungs are increasingly unable to process the exchange of air. Sometimes the tumors obstruct the airways. Fluid builds up in the lungs. Cancer tumors are fragile and often bleed causing the person to cough up blood.
Weight loss is common to cancer victims. Medications and the disease itself destroy the appetite. The tumors can obstruct the esophagus and make swallowing difficult.
Related Symptoms
Cancer cells from the lungs travel to other parts of the body and tumors can grow in the brain, abdomen and bones. Pain can occur wherever these cells have attached.
If the brain is involved, symptoms can include neurological problems. Headaches, speech impairment and seizures can be caused by brain tumors.
Lung cancer patients can have mild to excruciating bone pain, or no pain at all.
Cancerous tumors in the abdomen may cause pain of the liver, stomach or other organs. Other abdominal pain may be due to the general effort of breathing as the diaphragm becomes weaker and weaker.
Active Dying Phase, or the Final Symptoms
As the patient nears the actual point of death, the symptoms change and become quite distinct. The skin becomes cool and bluish. Wet and clammy skin is evident as perspiration increases.
Appetite may actually increase for a short while which gives false hope of a rebound to the caretaker. Then the appetite and thirst completely disappear and the patient will refuse to eat or drink anything.
Breathing becomes irregular and the so-called “death rattle” is heard due to Increased secretions in the back of the throat.
The patient may become irritated and confused even to the point of seeing hallucinations. Some have stated that they see people from “the other side” that have passed before them.
The final symptom is a profound deep sleep. During this sleep, the friend or loved one will simply stop breathing and their heart will stop beating. The end is generally peaceful and caretakers will find comfort in being in the room with the body as they say the final goodbye.
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Very concise indeed - my uncle died of lung cancer after he had had part of his lung removed. Sad thing - my sister-in-law also got it and she had never smoked or been exposed to smoke so you just never know. Thanks for the good information, Lela!
Hi Katie and Audrey, I hope that some good will come of this hub. My neighbor just had a lobectomy for cancer in her lung and she hasn't snapped to the fact yet that she will probably die from it. She's still smoking a week after the lobectomy. I can't get her to even consider quitting.
I watch people die at the hospital all the time and though it happens to all, it's sad to see some of the pain it causes. It doesn't have to be that way.
You girls are great nieces, I can tell!
It's a sad world. I have had an aunt and one of my uncles die of lung cancer in the past year. Thanks for this valuable information.
Nice article..Check my article as well on Cancer : http://hubpages.com/hub/Cancer-Demise-Stats-Total-
RateD!
This was hard to read but is likely going to be very helpful to some people out there. Its encouraging for people to keep taking care of themselves too, I am sure.
Absolutely Fantastic hub, very well written article, it will give good feedback to the googlers out there......SB
HI. I really didnt want to read this, but i was drawn to know the truth. Mom is not doing well, she is in advanced stages of her lung cancer. Its a hard time for all. Your article was concise and came across to me as very compassionate also easy reading for even those who are currently hurting. Very tasteful and to the point. Thanks, I for one needed this simplified version without all the frills. Sad time for all. Please pray for moms comfort.
You may request that comfort meds be given to your mom. It may be exactly what she needs and wants. None of us want to see or do the dying part of life, but we cannot escape it. I'm sad to hear that your mom is not doing well. My condolences go out to all who have to go through this.
Focus on the good parts of life. I hope there were many.
Hi AustinStar, In the book Healing And The Mind, they interview people with cancer and places that actually help them in their exit out. Do you think that these so called natural products work. I would be trying anything and everything.
I'm not sure if you're asking how to avoid or cure cancer, or how to die using natural products.
There is no cure for cancer, natural or otherwise. As we age, cancerous cells form because they lose their ability to "get it right". The DNA, RNA etc. are all damaged by age and overuse. Our bodies are completely replaced with new cells every so often and as long as the "message" is good, everything is all right.
As to euthanasia, there are countries that will supply that service for a fee. It's an individual decision.
Hope this helps.
I myself would not want to linger on and on with alot of pain. I have one friend now that is at the end road with cancer. There is no more treatments that will do any good. It is very sad. Lj
Very sad indeed. I'm sorry to hear about your friend. It's a shame we have to die at all. I hope your friend finds a way to cope. Sweden has the best "right to die" policy of any country. The U.S. prosecutes those like Dr. Kevorkian, but there are doctors who are sympathetic and will provide assisted death meds. Families who are unable to accept the death of a loved one are the ones that cause them to hide their sympathies. Ask for "comfort meds" only and they will usually provide them.
The hallucinations and deep sleep sound like the effects of narcotics rather than the cancer. We just don't know if the patient is also hallucinating with terrorizing dreams once they have been narcotized.
The loss of appetite might be from the cancer itself or from narcotizing the patient.
There are much better options although they have been suppressed and lied about in the medical community.
I agree about the medical community. Having been a part of it for over 30 years, I know for a fact that few of the "practicioners" really have a clue about what they are doing.
This is a really helpful and relevant article. My uncle is currently in his final stage of cancer and I'm reading up on this so I can attempt to comfort my mother, who is struggling to cope through this process.
Coping with death is difficult. Just like dying is different for different people, so is grieving. So being there for your mother is the best thing you can do. Talking with a hospice nurse will also be beneficial.
I'm sorry to hear about your uncle. Take care.
My dad has lung cancer he's on his
final days he just turn 51 and he's been suffering alot of pain we been in and out of the hospital.Right now he has hospice but it seems that he's giving up I dont want him to die but I dont want him to suffer I wish he had a second chance
Sorry to hear about your father. I lost my dad to heart and lung failure after his lungs were destroyed by chemicals and smoking. He was proud of the life he had, though and made peace with everyone before he died.
I hope your dad finds peace too.
Sadly, most of my lung cancer experience has been that of more pain and struggle at the end. It is a singular dramatic experience each time...
Thank you for your compassionate information here.
I have lost my Dad to lung cancer. He was only 52 when he passed. I also lost my mom to pancreatic cancer two years ago. Cancer is a tough battle, It is hard on the patient and hard on the caregivers.
katiem2 22 months ago
What a clear and easy read, while I do feel the pain and loss of a loved one, my uncle is currently living with one lung and experiencing what you speak of it is helpful to know. I especially like the part about going to sleep, sometimes you can hear him struggle to breath and other times you don't hear him at all, it's then I wonder, he's still here. Great read and thank you! Peace be with all!