Specifically, a terminally ill patient that cannot digest solid foods and has a PEG tube was getting 250cc of IV Fluids each day. Patient has begun to not tolerate this amount, now is down to maybe 200cc once every 3 days or so. Patient is drinking a lot of fluids, but I'm unsure how much is actually being absorbed. Patient also has only one functioning kidney.
Terminal illness is metastatic ovarian cancer with malignant bowel obstruction. Patient has lost roughly 25 pounds in a month and a half and is receiving no IV nutrition. Initial prognosis about a month and a half ago was days to weeks.
I'm looking for a rough estimate of time left, as well as an estimate as to how long until patient is comatose.
2006-09-19 07:42:48 · 5 answers · asked by Godzirra 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
If the patient is still tolerating oral fluids, then this could go on for a while. It really depends, no person is the same and alot has to do with the patients desire to live. From my own experience, both as nurse and someone who lost their mother to cancer, that will to live can be very strong. I have found that once they give in to the cancer, the end comes very quickly, within a matter of days. It all depends on the function of the internal organs also. Once the patient develops multi organ failure....liver and kidney, being the main contributors, then the end will also come within around 3-5 days. Keep talking with her Dr's, ask about her organ functions. Make sure that she is not in any pain. A subcutaneous infusion of Diamorphine could help and will prob send her into the comatose state.
But to answer your question, a patient can usually last around 3-4 days without any fluids. I hope that this is a little helpful and i hope that your friend/mother/sister/aunt/grandmother has a peaceful passing when the time comes. God bless.
2006-09-19 16:59:09 · answer #1 · answered by lounursey 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Remember the general rule of 3's: 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food.
2006-09-19 07:44:44 · answer #2 · answered by sarge927 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to measure her fluid output, as long as she's taking fluids and putting out she can go another two weeks to a month.
2006-09-19 07:46:59 · answer #3 · answered by Mightymo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
omg that is awful but i would say not to much longer if no food or nutrition is being given i will pray for a quiet death good luck
2006-09-19 07:45:25 · answer #4 · answered by Waynes Angel 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i was told by hospice that once a patient quits taken in fluids its usally a couple of weeks or so.....
2006-09-19 10:42:29 · answer #5 · answered by sindi 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋