How about a little fluid?
My best friend had extremely painful bone cancer. Hospice, which is part of our hospital, was called in. She died, peacefully, in several days, although she was sedated and presumably unconscious, by withholding Food & Fluid. But not all Fluid. The people on staff thought she might be less uncomfortable if they gave her a little Fluid. Towards the end they talked about her terminal condition, in her room—assuming she was unconscious. This bothered me since I understand that hearing might be the last sense to go. I also wonder if her dying was prolonged in the trade off of reducing thirst, especially since your book offers many ways to reduce thirst without adding Fluid.
Comment: If the patient was totally unconscious, instead of being unable to move or otherwise respond to stimuli, so that the diagnosis of coma was correct, then she could not hear. But I would not take that chance.
Question: I wonder, is there any way the people in charge of her care might learn about other remedies and techniques to reduce thirst, so that they do not unnecessarily prolong the process for other patients? Sometimes, even professional caregivers, make decisions that are easier for them, which are not necessarily easier for the patient. It helps if those who know the patient can speak for him or her. Ideally, it would be best if the patient, when conscious, had been clear. My Proxy Directive states: Even if I look thirsty, or I move my head toward water or a spray or mist, please just treat the symptom of thirst, do NOT give me more fluids. I want my competent mind now overrules my primitive not competent mind later.
Comment: If the patient was totally unconscious, instead of being unable to move or otherwise respond to stimuli, so that the diagnosis of coma was correct, then she could not hear. But I would not take that chance.
Question: I wonder, is there any way the people in charge of her care might learn about other remedies and techniques to reduce thirst, so that they do not unnecessarily prolong the process for other patients? Sometimes, even professional caregivers, make decisions that are easier for them, which are not necessarily easier for the patient. It helps if those who know the patient can speak for him or her. Ideally, it would be best if the patient, when conscious, had been clear. My Proxy Directive states: Even if I look thirsty, or I move my head toward water or a spray or mist, please just treat the symptom of thirst, do NOT give me more fluids. I want my competent mind now overrules my primitive not competent mind later.