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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Mom Passed Away From Pancreatic Cancer. Fluid In Legs And Stomach. Could Fluid Have Hurt Her?

My mom passed away 2 yrs ago from Pancreatic Cancer. Her legs took on alot of fluid as well as her stomach. We had to up the morphine at the end to keep her comfortable. Did she hurt from the fluid as well as the cancer? Could she have been aware in her mind in the end, final moments, that she was leaving us? Or is it medical belief that the brain loses ability for rational thinking at the end?
Tue, 21 May 2013
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your query.
I am sorry about your mother. I am sure it was hard to be with her in final days.
Legs swelling doesnt cause pain, this is more like pressure and many heart and kidney diseases lead to legs swelling. SO this wasnt something she suffered too much. Morphium is a very strong pain killers with strong effect on mental judging etc. Also, nature took care that people with chronic diseases die through few phases and in final days they actually become apathetic and disinterested which decrease suffering and fear. But rational thinking,some emotions and awareness of death arent so affected.
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Mom Passed Away From Pancreatic Cancer. Fluid In Legs And Stomach. Could Fluid Have Hurt Her?

Hi and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your query. I am sorry about your mother. I am sure it was hard to be with her in final days. Legs swelling doesnt cause pain, this is more like pressure and many heart and kidney diseases lead to legs swelling. SO this wasnt something she suffered too much. Morphium is a very strong pain killers with strong effect on mental judging etc. Also, nature took care that people with chronic diseases die through few phases and in final days they actually become apathetic and disinterested which decrease suffering and fear. But rational thinking,some emotions and awareness of death arent so affected.