desire for a natural death

[greeneyes]

I no longer have my mother's hospice papers that discussed the way the body shuts down in a less painful way. Sounds morbid, I know but I'm revamping my papers. Does anyone know about this? I know I do not want IV nutrition, but what about hydration? Any hospice people out there? Thanks

[Mad Mummy]

desire for a natural death

Hi Greenie

I'm no expert but I'm sure I was told when my Dad was refusing food that to not have hydration is a particularly unpleasant way to let the body shut down.

Hope your time in Vermont is great and those big ol' pants do the trick!

Luv
Bx

[Nurseindistress]

desire for a natural death

I have been a hospice nurse for many years. We call dehydration "nature's tranquilizer". Actually,one just starts sleeping more and more and then goes into a coma like state. Often if some one is dying and you give IV fluids, it just makes them feel worse--the fluid goes where it shouldn't--swelling in the legs, abdomen, fluid in the lungs, etc. When one doesn't want to eat,/drink, it is natures way of shutting down.