My 86 Year Old Mom Died Of Colon Cancer That

Posted on Mon, 22 Oct 2018

Question: My 86 year old Mom died of colon cancer that had spread to her liver, lymph nodes, and peritoneum 6 weeks ago. My sister and I were with her. There were 2 very disturbing things that happened at the end and I’m hoping you can explain it to me. 1) for about 2 hours prior to death her eyes were open and she wasn’t blinking. 2) as she was dying, starting about 1-2 minutes before her final breath, thick black liquid, started rolling out of her mouth. I could almost swear it wasn’t blood. The consistency and color were wrong. It was thick.

Those are the two things I would love to have an answer to. Both were very creepy, for lack of a better word. Thank you in advance for your help.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Possibilities...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am sorry for this unfortunate event. My condolences to you.

About the two incidents you noticed, I can just speculate on the reasons here and cannot confirm it. So, in my opinion, the following may the reason/s:

1. In the final stages of cancer, organ functions may decline especially when cancer is extensively spread. Most metabolic parameters and acid-base balance are deranged in the dying movements of a patient. This changes also affect neurological functions which in turn affect eye movements. Probably it could be the primary reason for her lack of blinking.

2. The thick black liquid is possibly acid mixed blood secretion from the stomach. Liver organ failure also affects platelet functions, thereby leading to intensive bleeding. It may as well be blood clumps (making it thick in consistency) but with plenty of deoxygenated content in view of altered breathing activity. Lack of oxygenation makes blood appear darker than ever.

Hope this answered your question. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (3 days later)

When I mentioned she was not blinking I think I need to be more specific. I believe the nurse said her pupils were fixed and dilated. It was like a mannequin was lying there, a breathing mannequin. She was non-responsive and not blinking. I actually wonder if her spirit left her body before the breathing stopped. She no longer looked like her, just like a plastic mannequin in a department store. She was in that state about 2 hours before she stopped breathing and was pronounced dead. Thank you again.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Brain stem damage...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Pupils fixed and dilated indicate that brain function is lost probably due to the damages sustained in those critical stage. Damages particularly to the brain stem makes pupil as well as eye reflex unresponsive.

I understand what your referring to about spirit leaving body while the individual is breathing. Scientifically it's related to absence of central nervous system (CNS) function. Unresponsive body / eye movement / pupil reaction is due to brain damage.
Breathing and circulation can function independent of brain for a while before ceasing.

Hope I am clear. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar