respirations are 30, is death is near?

Question

my mother has liver cancer, she has not been eating or drinking, her respirations are now 30, is death near?

That was my mother who typed the question and my grandmother has past away the nurses said thats it was very peacful. thank you for you helpful answers.

Answer 1

It could mean that yes. It is difficult to say without seeing her or knowing more about her. If she is in Hospice call her hospice nurse. Respiration's of 30 for an extended period of time are too fast for most people it shows they are in severe respiratory distress. Again I would encourage you to contact hospice if she is in it and let them help guide you through this time. The fact that she has not been eating or drinking is also ominous. You do not say if she is conscious or anything else about her condition. My heart goes out to you. I hope you have support right there with you.

Answer 2

I think her time is very near sweetie. Call in hospice or her doc to see what to do next. My sis (terminal bone cancer) and bro (terminal lung cancer) both did this during the last week. When they start preparing for their journey...they stop eating and don't need the nutrients anymore as their body is shutting down. They sleep a lot and then their breathing changes. Her skin tone will change ...turning paler and her nails will start becoming bluish in color. This is the lack of oxygen in her body. Mom can make a small "come back" too in this time...seeming to "wake up" and talk about things like her childhood or her children,etc...she can seem alert and clear minded. Then, back into her sleeping mode. The important thing to us during that time was knowing that sis and bro could still hear us even though they couldn't respond....we talked and loved through their passing.
Hospice has some great informational books...as well as the nurses. My experience with them were a godsend. Very caring and well trained to help us through this time.
God bless you and yours for helping mom through her journey..keep strong and take care hon.

Answer 3

I am so very sorry to hear about your mother. This is going to be a difficult time for you and your family. But this is what I know....Her respers are in the 30's probably related to extra fluid backing up into her lungs. As people near death, all of the body systems start shutting down, and one of them is the kidneys. As the kidneys fail, the fluid will back up everywhere including her lungs, making her breathing a little more difficult. You can relieve some of the distress by giving her medications such as morphine. Morphine is wonderful at relieving pain and easing breathing. Better yet, see if you cant get her some breathing treatments with morphine in them. I hope you have a hospice nurse that can help you obtain this medication. Or you could ask her doctor to prescribe it for her. Most docs are very generous with medications during end of life care. The goal is to make them comfortable as possible. Now, you will see as her life nears to and end when her respers become irregular. You will notice periods of no breathing (sometimes for quite awhile) followed by rapid breaths, followed by slower breaths. Its called cheyne-stokes. It can be very difficult to watch as a family memeber, but usually the patient by this time is unresponsive and is unaware. Just remember to keep her comfortable, keep talking to her, and remember that you have done everything right. good luck to you.

Answer 4

I am so sad to hear about your mother. I believe you should talk with her doctor or even a hospice nurse to determine if her death is near.
Its hard to tell what stage she is in since I know only what you have told me.
There are many reasons why your mother is breathing fast.
Talk with her doctor and ask him his opinion.

Answer 5

Respiration's alone cannot predict that. Thirty is not ideal, probably a bit labored but not necessarily an indication of her passing.