??? about Morphin and terminal Cancer

[Spinning]

A very dear family friend is in the end stages of Cancer. He is on morphin, as needed for pain although at this point he is in a coma like state. He is having apnea now and the pauses are getting longer and longer, sometimes up to 26 seconds. This has been going on almost 24 hours. We have been giving him morhpin and it seems to relaxe his breathing and making it easier and less gaps between breaths.
The hospic nurse said it really wasn't necessary to give it to him any more but his girls feel he is in pain after we change him. So can it prolong the life? It is so hard to see him like this. He has been like a second father to m and grandparent to my kids.
Thanks

 

[ripleysmom]

Morphine will not prolong his life. It does, however, make the pain easier to bear.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Can the morphine prolong his life? Not in any way. Quite the opposite, more than likely. Don't hesitate to give him morphine as often as he can have it. It is not going to do a thing other than keep him as comfortable as can be.

 

[Spinning]

Thanks, I understand the pain factor and we actually had an argument about giving him the meds. I felt they should give him the morphin, along with 2 of his girls but this was when he was still semi awake but his other daughters wanted him more alert and felt the meds were no allowing time to communicate. So lots of emotions. This has been an extremely fast moving CA, he was Diagnosed about 2 weeks ago. he is now spiking fevers and the nurse feels he will die 24-48 hours once the fevers started.
I guess right now I have that helpless feeling along with everyone involved. We want him comfortable but don't want to do anything to prolong his life.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have been through this twice. The morphine actually speeds up the dieing process ( in my opinion). It makes them more comfortable, so why not?

 

[Serena]

When my mom died the nurses told me the morphine slows down the heart rate.

 

[C.Ann]

Morphine does in fact slow both the respiratory and heart rate and thus quickens the death.. He should be allowed to die in the least painful manner.. My dad was not in hospice (he died from colon cancer in the hospital) and was forced to endure excruciating pain until he finally died from aspirating his own vomit.. It was positively the worst thing I have ever witnessed in my entire life..

What kind of cancer has ravaged this poor man so quickly?

I'm going to say a prayer right now that he dies a gentle, painless death..

 

[Spinning]

C.Ann, Thank you for your prayers. It is lung cancer that has spread to his liver, and they feel the brain.
Believe me I also agree make them as comfortable as possible. and he really is. But I just didn't understand why after giving him the Morphin his breaths became closer together. I would have thought he would become more relaxed and it would allow him to pass on easier.
I am getting ready to head over there now. I spoke to his DD and it is about the same.

 

[Kermit]

I'm praying that he'll be comfortable and that you can find a solution you're all comfortable with. You may want to arrange a group meeting with someone from Hospice. They have a lot of experience with this kind of thing. {{{Hugs}}}

 

[mamajoan]

I am sorry to hear of this situation. I pray that this man has a peaceful, painfree death and that he will enjoy a fabulous after life.

The morphine will certainly slow his resp rate. However since he is terminal and a hospice patient, the RN should be able to increase his pain meds with Dr. ok without problem. The decreased resp is not painful. Maybe the RN could push the morphine prior to rolling him, if that is what seems to be causing the increased pain.
If he is "chain stoking" ( prob incorrect spelling sorry) the end of his life will come soon. I often sat with hospice patients and family thru this period. It helps if they can say goodbye.

I truly am sorry that you will be losing someone so dear to you.
God Bless.
Joan

 

[helenabear]

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I pray that he is comfortable and pain free through the end. The morphine my mom was on at the end allowed her to be more relaxed and quietly fade away. I thank God for her quiet passing. {{hugs}} to you.

 

[Serena]

I am so sorry. This situation is horrible for everyone.

 

[snowball22]

I went through this in June of this year with my dad. He was taken off his feeding tube and was given morphine which put him in a coma like state. The nurse and the doctors said he had two weeks at the most but he left us only after a day of being on the morphine. The morphine took away the pain and let him die a peaceful death. Make sure the goodbyes have been said if he can understand. I was able to say a little but once the morphine took effect that was it. I am so sorry.

 

[Disney Doll]

I am sorry for everyone having to go through this. It is no easy.

The morphine will not prolong anything. If anything, it will move things along a little, because as it builds up in his system, it will begin to depress his respiratory center. Giving his his pain medicine is that last loving thing family can do for a perosn who is terminal, as there is no reason why he should be uncomfortable. Deaths are generally never as dramatic as they are portrayed on TV.The dying person generally does not utter any words of wisdom etc. The family can still say anything to him that they want...there is no way to know what a dying person comprehends and doesn't comprehend, so I always tell family members to talk to them right up until the end.

 

[froglady]

I am so sorry for you...I went through this with my father last spring.

During the last 48 hours of his life, my father was having agonal breathing, which is exactly what it sounds like. (the patient appears to be in agony, and "moans" with each labored breath) The staff tried to convince me that he wasn't really in pain, but since it only occurs in the last few hours of life, I don't know how they can be so sure...it's not like the patient can tell them. Anyways, I insisted on having the morphine gradually increased, despite the possibility it would depress his respirations and hasten his death...which I believe it did. He was ready, and had said his goodbyes to my mother and I, and a brother that had visited 2 weeks earlier. My other three brothers arrived during the next 2 days it took him to die. Although he was "semi-comatose" he sat up, opened his eyes, and looked straight at each brother as he arrived...there is no doubt in my mind that he knew they were there. He then would lapse back into a stupor. He died two hours after his last son arrived. My father's last words (before he lost conciousness) were, "Tell mother I love her."

 

[Spinning]

Thanks everyone once again. It has been a very sad and hard week. He died on Wed. Tonight is the viewing and then the funeral tomorrow. It so sad to hear of all the loved ones lost to this horrible disease. My dad also died from cancer and this has really hit close to home, bringing up some many thoughts and memories.
Thanks for the support!

 

[Serena]

I'm so sorry.

 

[nativetxn]

I am so sorry to hear that your friend died. I hope his passing was as painfree as possible. {{{HUGS}}} sweetie, remember that we're here if you need us.

Katholyn

 

[Lucky4me]

I am so sorry Spinning. We lost a family friend last week to leukemia. It's so hard. My condolences to you and your family.

 

[froglady]

I'm so sorry. My heart goes out to you.