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The final stages of death from pancreatic cancer can be vague and suddenly come without any warning. To avoid panicking and making irrational decisions, you should be aware of the end-of-life signs of someone who has pancreatic cancer.With 49,830 expected to die of pancreatic cancer, as a caregiver, it’s your responsibility to give your loved one the utmost care and assistance they need. This can be done by efficiently communicating their condition to the patient’s hospice care provider or doctor.
It will take less than 6 months for cancer cells to spread to the liver. Thus, pancreatic and liver cancer’s final stages often come hand in hand. What signs should you look for, and how can you help your loved one going through this disease?
Terminal Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms
Presented below is an end-stage pancreatic cancer timeline that can help you notice the patient’s condition:
Frequent Sleeping
A patient with pancreatic cancer is near the end of life when they spend most of their time asleep. They can also slip in and out of consciousness. Remember that even if the patient is asleep, they may still hear you when you talk to them. You can tell them comforting words and even hold their hand to help them be calmer and more accepting of what is to come.
Discolored and Cold Skin
Your loved one’s skin will go pale and turn in the color of grey or blue. Their skin will also feel colder to the touch, so you need to wrap them with more layers of clothing or blankets and beddings to keep them warm.
Changes in Breathing
Expect your loved one’s breathing to be slower and shallower in their last few days. This is caused by the fluid in their chest or throat, thus making their breathing noisy. Don’t worry, this isn’t uncomfortable for the patient, and they may not even be aware of this happening. Medicines prescribed by your GP or hospice care team can help reduce the noises.
Suffering Confusion or Agitation
One of the most troubling end-stage pancreatic cancer symptoms is seeing your friend or family member restless and addled about who and where they are. Help them calm down by gently reminding them who you are and what’s happening.
Bleeding
This symptom is rare, but it can be scary if you’re unaware that it can be expected for some people near their end of life. Internal bleeding around the pancreas may occur, and the patient can vomit blood. Gently console your loved one and contact your hospice team.
Other pancreatic cancer signs of death are:
- Nausea
- Back and abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Social withdrawal
All American Hospice Care Is Here to Assist You
The pancreatic cancer hospice timeline varies depending on the patient’s family’s decision. Hospice care will provide the patient with the appropriate aid they need to help them make the most of their remaining time. At the same time, the family will also be offered the support they need to help them make informed decisions about their family member’s conditions and to help them deal with the pain of letting a loved one go. Reach out to All American Hospice today to get empathetic support.
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