What does it look like to be actively dying?!

[patriciatoomingtheplantpar]

It was very strange when my MIL passed away only my SIL and I were there. She hadn't moved in days, we knew it was just a matter of time.
Suddenly she turned her head to the left looked at both of us and took her last breath.
My SIL thought she was going to say something, I said no, tell her you love her, wish her a peaceful journey and you'll see her later. She can still hear you for a few short minutes

[JOANNZ]

My mom passed away on Oct 16th. Everything she says is true. I was a nurse for a physicians group 15 years and never had to deal with anyone end of life like I did my moms. Three years of Alzheimer’s and dementia was absolute hell watching what was happening to my mom but I have to say the last 10 minutes of her life were worse than the three years put together. I feel so homered that I got to hold her hand and be with her when she left me but I have to admit that this has damaged me beyond anything I can think of. I lost my only son 11 years ago and I thought that was the end of my world. It kind of was. But now I live the most unnatural life I can think of. I buried my child and had to feed and diaper my mom. I so wish I could say it was beautiful and peaceful, but that wouldn’t be true. I’m so glad she’s at peace now but devastated not to have her anymore. I guess this is more about my grief then the topic. My apologies.

[cindybrunken]

My husband looked different the night before he died. I watched him a few minutes, then woke his sister who was staying with us. We stayed up all night reading Scripture, singing Hymns, and telling stories of his life. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. Even though he didn’t respond to us, we believe he was able to hear us. The next day our Pastor came. I visibly saw my husband relax because Pastor had been out of state and made it back in time. Then he left and our Hospice Nurse came. I asked that we dispose of any narcotics. She counted them and we destroyed them. A few minutes after she left he passed. I saw his expression when he saw Jesus coming to get him! Awesome!

[bharnden]

My mom is 88. Dementia, in a facility. This helps me to know what will happen. Thank you for passing on this knowledge. I feel better.

[giraffeNana]

You are a gift to so many. Thank you for putting families at ease 🙏🏻❤️

[bonniepiccolo]

My gramma taught me earth, water, fire, air then spirit. Unable to stand or walk(earth) water (stop swallowing, no fluids, kidneys shut down) fire (spike fever, grow cold in extremities, changes in skin) air (breathing changes) then the spirit lift (death)
This has helped me more than schooling as a (end of life) nurse in LTC. Thank you for all the wonderful, real information you share. Helping people transition is one of the greatest honors of my life. Hospice is one of the best additions to Healthcare.

[mirnavaldez]

That is exactly how it happened for my dad. The last 30 hours with him he was just unconscious. All I did was hold his hand and touch his face. I told him I loved him and that it was okay for him to let go. We'd miss him and be fine. It's comforting to know this is expected and that his death was peaceful. But my heart is still broken and I miss him every day.

[geraldinemoloney]

Thanks for this one, I was with my Mother in law as she passed away and the moments between breaths was painful to see and hear. I recall almost holding my breath until she took another and thought I really hope she's not in physical pain if that's makes sense

[naturalS]

I appreciate you so much. Your honesty and helpful transparent education is relieving. Thank you for your time and dedication.

[Justthinking]

This is so good for me to hear. You are the best nurse ever.

[southernqueen]

Julie you are making my soon passing much more easier on me knowing what to expect! Thank you for your heart of Gold ✨🦋❤️🦋✨

[jjbud]

My cousin and I were with my mother when she passed. When we went into her room, she recognized my cousin, who she hadn't seen in months. I could tell because she had her eyes open and they widened with surprise when she saw her. That was her last reaction. She lay there quietly and we held her hands. She died about 2 hours later. I was holding her pulse as it slowed slower and slower until it stopped. It was peaceful.

[jerrytaliercio]

My mom was 91 when she died. She was like this for 2 days or so…exactly like you say. Two times she actually seemed to come back to life. Once when my brother arrives at 2:30:am and the next day when my two grandkids came and jumped in the bed set up by hospice. She got up on her elbows and smiled and seemed soooo normal that I thought she was going to be okay. It only lasted minutes each time….it was a beautiful end of life for my mom.

[janwheeler]

I've learned so much from your videos, so from myself and the thousands who see these, THANK YOU. I took care of my precious mama who lived with us 10 years until she passed January 2017 and the last month had amazing Hospice nurses here. Looking back, I'm so relieved realizing the last few days what she looked like/the way she reacted was normal. It has been 4 years of feeling so guilty for allowing Hospice in, thinking I hastened her death by finally giving in to the ER palliative care Doctors who kept telling us it was time. I guess we didn't want to accept 6x pneumonia in one year that her copd had finally taken over. I felt allowing them in, the morphine, the seroquel etc hastened death but now realize those nurses were actually helping her have a comfortable death not hastening it. Thank you for giving this 65 year old daughter peace of mind. I held mama's hand and she waited until my girls went to eat dinner, nurses went home, then she gripped my hand reached up in front of her, laid back and passed when I told her it was ok to go to heaven, that we would be ok. God Bless you Julie.

[jayjohnston]

I was with both of my parents when they died (along with other family members each time). I'm honoured to have been with them during that journey. Thank you for your posts, xojay

[md]

You take the mystery (and fear, I hope) out of dying.
You're a Godsend.

[sherylbudde]

What you are doing is truly wonderful. Most people don't want to know or hear this but to understand the process, something you can't change really helps. God bless you for what you, something that I couldn't handle emotionally

[ruthgibson]

thank you for your information. it is wonderful that you do this. most people don't understand death and dying. I wish everyone could see your posts. please keep them coming!! again, thank you very much!!

[sheilapellicane]

You have given me such relief watching you. Thank you. You have answered so many things I think about as im starting to age.

[astridcassidy]

I truly appreciate you taking the time to talk to folks about this. The less drama around a patient as they are dying the better.