2007-03-21 15:28:27 · 10 answers · asked by KimB 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
There is only one person in this world that really knows how long a person has to live and that is God. I am a hospice nurse and the initial criteria is 6 months or less. I have had patients much longer than that.....it is not unusual to see a person improve for a short amount of time after admission under hospice care.....I think that it gives patients and family some relief.....most of all some support which is definately what a person needs when they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.....I hope that your friend has the best possible hospice care and makes how ever much time he/she has left the best that it can possibly be......hospice is about living not the 'd' word......God Bless!!!
2007-03-21 16:35:03 · answer #1 · answered by nursebirdie05 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually Hospice gets arranged when there is approx. 6 months left to live, however everyone is different. My sister was involved with Hospice, got better and discontinued Hospice, got worse - Hospice again, and lived about 5 months. No one can ever say for sure how long someone is going to live. Hang in there. Cherish every day and don't worry when it's going to happen.
2007-03-22 07:36:14 · answer #2 · answered by Patricia C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The earlier hospice is involved the better it is for both the patient and family. Hospice is encouraged for patients that are diagnosed with terminal illness. It doesn’t have a guideline that says a maximum time. I have a friend that owns a hospice company and she tells me that she’s had one client for over a year. Most people aren’t educated in the benefits of hospice and don’t want to think about hospice services until they are near death. Some believe it means that they have given up on life. Not so at all. It’s improving the quality of life for the terminally ill patient. Best of luck to you and your friend.
2007-03-21 15:36:13 · answer #3 · answered by Nanni 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the person, they cater to the patients and families that have someone terminally ill. Hospice isn't just for cancer either. They help with alot of medical conditions other than cancer. My friends boyfriends mother is dying from heart disease, hospice is taking care of her and helping them with housework, and just being there to talk to, which is comforting. Usually when someone is terminally ill it's less than 1 year to live but again that depends on the person and what science has to offer us with discoveries. We have a family friend who has had liver cancer for 9 years, he lives with the condition, he was diagnosed with less than 3 months and had hospice for a month then a new treatment came out and put him in remission so you never know.
2007-03-21 16:11:18 · answer #4 · answered by Tina of Lymphland.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 months or less...maybe a few weeks. Depends how advanced the cancer is and how far it has spread, and other factors such as age/sex/general health of your friend.
I heard of a friend's daughter that had a bruise on her leg, it didn't go away...was there a year. A month after they diagnosed bone cancer, she was gone. It is hard to say how long your friend has.
Hope you can spend time with your friend. Bring books, puzzles, movies, and special treats when you go visit. Focus on good times now & in the past, rather than on the fact your friend is sick. Ask you friend if there is anything special you can do for them. Sometimes a little thing can mean a lot to someone that is ill.
My sympathies....
2007-03-21 15:41:32 · answer #5 · answered by CINDY B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hospice usually doesn't get involved unless there is a terminal diagnosis of 6 months or less. Your friend could always beat the odds though. They won't stop his/her care just because they outlive the predictions.
Best wishes
2007-03-22 02:02:52 · answer #6 · answered by Char 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know that when we used hospice, they get called in when the person has less than six months. I am sorry for you and your friend and hope you are able to spend some time with him.
2007-03-21 15:32:35 · answer #7 · answered by Grandma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The doctor gave my Mom
6mo.s hospice took over.
She lived 2 years.
It's really hard to say.
2007-03-21 15:37:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It really depned on the persons abiltity to continue,
It depend on how ill they are and what sickness they have.
You cant ask that queation and get a honest answer,
Sorry
2007-03-21 16:06:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think the rule is 6 months, but that can be re evaluated at any time... i think there are certain criteria they have to meet.
2007-03-21 15:49:34 · answer #10 · answered by Queenie Peavey 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋