what to expect in the last stages of pancreatic cancer

Signs that the end of life may exist well-nigh

People with pancreatic cancer can become sick quite quickly, and you may not get much alert that the finish is near. Nosotros have listed some signs that the cease of life may exist near on this page.

People often ask how they will know that someone is in the terminal few days of their life. People with pancreatic cancer tin can go ill very quickly over a few days, and y'all may not get much warning that the end is nigh.

It can be hard to cope with this doubtfulness but the doctor or nurse tin can tell you if they think your family unit member is close to the end of their life. They can explain what signs to look out for and answer any questions you have.

Withdrawing and speaking less

In the last few weeks, you may notice your family fellow member starts to gradually withdraw from the world. They may speak less than usual, be more tired and sleep more. In the final few days, they may terminate speaking, although this doesn't mean they won't speak once more.

Sleepiness

Another sign that someone is in the last few days of life is sleepiness. The person may spend lots of fourth dimension sleeping or they may slip in and out of consciousness. Fifty-fifty if they are unconscious, they may withal exist able to hear you speaking to them. It can be comforting to both of you to keep talking to them or to concur their paw.

"A friend of mine had a brainwave and appeared at the hospice with a CD thespian and some of my partner'south favourite CDs. We listened to the Beatles as he died. I'chiliad sure he could hear besides and would accept approved."

Eating and drinking less

It is natural for people to finish eating and drinking in the final days of life. Yous can assist your family member stay comfortable by giving them sips of water or minor pieces of water ice to suck, to keep their mouth moist. If they're not awake, the GP or nurse can give you swabs to continue their mouth and lips clean and comfortable. Lip balm or moisturisers tin help stop their lips and mouth getting dry.

Animate changes

Your family member'due south breathing may go slower, shallower or less regular in the last few days. Fluid in the throat or chest may crusade breathing to become noisy, or have a rattling audio. This isn't usually uncomfortable and they may not be aware that information technology is happening, but information technology tin be upsetting for family or friends. If it is deplorable your loved 1, the doctor or nurse may try moving them into a unlike position. They can also use medicines to help reduce it.

Confusion, restlessness or agitation

Sometimes a person may become confused, restless or agitated. Your loved one may not know where they are or who is with them. Or they may fidget, or want to motility about even if they're not able to. You may want to reassure them by reminding them of who y'all are and what is going on around them.

They may describe speaking to someone who has died or they may run across things that aren't there. If they're not upset, information technology's fine to talk to them nearly what they tin run into or hear. Some people may be frightened – staying nearly them, gently touching them and reassuring them may help. A calm room with placidity music and familiar items like photos nearby can too help.

Information technology tin can be upsetting for you if your family unit member is confused or agitated. In that location could be unlike reasons for why it is happening, so speak to the dr. or nurse. They will expect for anything that is causing it, like hurting, problems with their bladder or bowels, or problems with their medicines. They may recommend giving medicine to relax and calm them. Or they may propose putting in a catheter (a tube into the float to bleed urine). This will stop the bladder getting full and causing discomfort. If y'all are worried that your family member may be in pain, the medico or nurse can help with this.

"My partner became very dislocated towards the stop of his life. For me that was possibly one of the most upsetting things, seeing someone who had been and then potent and capable existence so vulnerable. The healthcare team were great though. The doctors, nurse and the paramedics were kind and patient with him."

Changes to their peel and feeling cold

Towards the cease, your family member'due south skin may become bluish, grey or pale. Their easily, anxiety, arms and legs may experience cold. Layers of clothes or bedding tin help go along them comfortable.

Bleeding

At that place is a small risk of bleeding towards the end of life. This is rare but it tin exist upsetting and frightening, and then you may want to be aware that it can happen to a very small number of people. In pancreatic cancer, there may be bleeding internally from the breadbasket or around the pancreas, and people tin sometimes vomit blood. If this happens at home, contact your GP, specialist nurse or hospice team or telephone call the out of hours number you take been given. Stay with your family fellow member and effort to reassure them. Using night towels and sheets may aid to brand it look less frightening.

Changing the medicines

In the last few days, the doctor may talk to you about stopping medicines that are no longer needed or that aren't helping to control symptoms. They may also suggest giving medicines in a unlike way – for example, by injection or a syringe driver if your family member tin can no longer swallow medicines.

Speak to our specialist nurses

If you accept questions about what to expect, ask the doctors and nurses.

You can likewise speak to our specialist nurses on our free Support Line.

Speak to our nurses

Published April 2021

Review date April 2024

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Source: https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/information/end-of-life-care-for-pancreatic-cancer/signs-that-the-end-of-life-may-be-near/

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