Why I know that I'm Dying and very near the END of my LIFE!

After much research and investigation online about how to know when a person is at the END of life and what are the known symptons and SIGNS that you are near DEATH, I came accross this article:

12 Signs That Someone Is Near Death

Pain, Shortness of Breath, Bowel Changes, Fatigue, and More

By Angela Morrow, RN

Updated on August 17, 2023

Medically reviewed by Kimberly Brown, MD

If a person is near death, they will go through certain changes as the organs of their body start to shut down. This will lead to common symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, constipation, and changes in bowel movement before progressing to end-of-life symptoms such as delirium and characteristic breathing sounds known as the "death rattle."

This article will discuss 12 signs that a person is nearing the end of their life. It also suggests ways to help your loved one manage through the final stages of life.

1

Pain

Pain is a common symptom experienced near the end of life, although it can vary from person to person. Pain is not only determined by medical conditions that cause pain, like cancer or lung disease, but also by factors like emotional distress, interpersonal conflicts, and the non-acceptance of one’s own death.

In my own particular case as having been diagnosed with "Bone Cancer" and a very rare form of Leukemia that has been now in "remission" for about 5 years mow I have endured lots of PAIN on my body lately and have been taking "over the counter" pain medications like "Celebrex" 200 mg and "Paracetamol" 500 mg for my pain in my thighs, knees, and legs at night which have continually increased with more frecuency.

2

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, is one of the most common end-of-life symptoms. Even if a person doesn't have lung disease, dyspnea can occur because the organ systems of the body are interconnected.

For example, if your heart is slowing down due to heart failure and less oxygen is being delivered to the body, you can become breathless with minimal physical activity. Every night without exception I begin to experience "shortness of breath" as I try to fall asleep in my bed.

3

Anxiety

Anxiety is normal at the end of life as a person contemplates their own death or struggles through the stages of dying. This is commonly expressed as agitation, worrying, sweating, stomach upset, nausea, sleeping problems, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. I have had lots of "sweating", upset stomach, nausea, and sleeping problems lately as well. And YES some "heart palpitations" too which I have controlled with DEEP breathing exercises.

4

Decreased Appetite and Lots of Thirst

As a body starts to shut down, it no longer needs as many calories and nutrition to function at such lowered levels. Although it is normal for people to refuse food and to drink lots of fluids near the end of life—either because they have no desire for it or find the effort of eating or allow their drinking to be excessive.

The important thing to remember is that when someone is dying from a terminal illness, like I am this will happen!

5

Nausea or Vomiting

There are many reasons a person may be nauseous near the end of life. It may be due to constipation, having a reduced appetite, or certain medicines they are taking. It could also be caused by emotional distress. In my case I have a lot of constipation due to taking "pain killing" pills.

6

Constipation

Medications used to treat pain and shortness of breath can cause constipation. Other causes include a lack of physical activity, dehydration, decreased fiber intake, and the progression of the underlying terminal illness.

Changes in diet, increased fluid intake, and simply taking short walks can help.

7

Fatigue

Fatigue near the end of life is not a surprising symptom for most people to grasp but one that can be increasingly worrisome when watching a loved one spend more and more time in bed. Like I do most of the time!

As much as illness, medications, and sleep problems can cause fatigue, so can emotional issues such as depression.

It is equally important to accept fatigue as a natural part of the dying process.

8

Isolation and Drifting Away

As someone nears death, they naturally start to focus inward and may separate from the world around them, including friends and family.

It is important to remember that any and all emotions are normal when someone is dying.

9

Incontinence

Both urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) and fecal incontinence (loss of bowel control) are common near the end of life.

Incontinence can be a result of surgery or illness, or because the person is simply too weak to go to the bathroom. At the very end, when the urinary and bowel muscles relax entirely, the person will have no control over these functions.

I have been having urinary "incontinence" for months now.

10

Skin Changes

Hands and feet may become colder and the skin may look blotchy, purplish, and mottled as a person nears death. I have noticed also that my feet are very COLD!

Over time, the mottling may work its way up the arms and legs, while the lips and nails may turn bluish due to the lack of oxygen (referred to as cyanosis). The swelling of the legs and ankles (peripheral edema) is also common.


11

Delirium

Confusion, agitation, and restlessness are common near the end of life. Delirium (sudden confusion and disorientation) can be caused by the progression of the terminal disease, a failing respiratory system (providing less oxygen to the brain), or medications they are taking.

Kidney failure common near the end of life can also flood the body with chemicals that affect the brain. Even constipation and dehydration can trigger delirium in people approaching death.

Delirium is often a sign of impending death.

12

The "Death Rattle"

The "death rattle" is a sign that death is near. Also known as "end-stage wet respirations," it is when saliva and mucus build up in the airways due to the continual weakening of the muscles in the lungs and trachea (windpipe). With each breath, the passing of air through these fluids causes a rattling sound.

At this stage, the focus will be placed on preventing your loved one from choking, This may involve turning them on their side or elevating their head. Thankfully I haven't gotten to this stage yet but ALL the other symptons seen so far certainly apply in my own particular case! This besides the fact that every time I play Dominoes online one of my most recurring scores is 57 and you might ask "And what does that have to do with dying Ernie? Well here is the amazing answer found in Isaiah 57:1-2: " The rigtheous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men (like me) are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come! He shall enter into peace (final rest): they shall rest in their (coffin) beds, each one walking (now) in his uprightness."

Summary

When someone is nearing the end of their life, (like I AM) they will experience a variety of characteristic and typical symptoms.

Pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, bladder incontinence, tiredness, sleepiness, weakness, constipation, fatigue, and change in skin tone and texture are just a few. Death is considered imminent with the loss of bowel control, delirium, and some other obvious symptons!

So this is why I know for a FACT that I got a very SHORT TIME LEFT! And this is my own daily prayer to God now: "O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in the darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with ALL thy waves. Selah. Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee. Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah. Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or thy faithfulness in destruction? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? And thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer ptevent thee. LORD, why castest thou off my soul (life)? Why hidest thou thy face from me? I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted. Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off. They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together. Lover and friend hast thou put far from me (my wife and other friends are now in Quito while I live in Cotacachi, about 2 hours away), and mine acquaintance into darkness." Psalm 88: 1-18.


GOODBYE FRIENDS and READERS! "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day (the time we are in NOW) upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed wirhin me." Job 19:25-27.

Appstle Jeshurum

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