The last stage of life
When we love someone and we really want the person to stay alive and be with us as long as possible, we tend to use whatever possible means to help him/ her live longer. But when he/ she had lost the battle against the sickness, is it wise to use all the medical equipment to support his/ her life when the body organs are no longer supporting his/her life?
This is the message that my family received when we lost our beloved aunty who lost the battle against cancer.
The decision is yours....but this message is worth thinking...
I am sorry I do not know who wrote this, but I can only quote the explanation.
"In the very last stages of life, however, they may not want any food or drink. A dying person may want to suck on ice chips or take a small amount of liquid, just to wet and freshen the mouth, which can become very dry. In the last stages of dying, forcing food when the body says “no” may be harmful or painful to the dying person. Many dying persons will exhibit the “clenched jaw” sign as a way of saying “no.” Forcing fluid may cause choking, or the dying person may draw liquid into the lungs, making matters worse.
It is hard for most people to respect the dying person’s lack of appetite. That’s because many of us equate food
with caring. Family members may feel that withholding nutrition is cruel or neglectful. They may worry that they
are “killing” their loved one.
It is important to remember that as the physical body is dying, the vital organs are shutting down, and nourishment is no longer required to keep them functioning. This is the wisdom of dying, and the body knows exactly what to do."
