Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 1/7/2008

Question
Hi, I know of someone who is in their final stages before death.  They have been in the hospital for a few weeks, and seem to be deteriorating slowly (or quickly, not really sure).  They started out hardly being able to mouth a few words threwout the day.  Now can't talk at all.  Most of the time eyes are closed.  Can hardly swallow a few spoons of yogurt.  Half or more of the body has been paralyzed for quite some time, and the breathing now in the hospital seems very labored and one side is overcompensating for the other side.  He has pain from time to time from spasms and other things.  We know he is dying, and I know its different for everyone, but can you please tell me if this seems like days away, weeks away, or months away?  Or, could it possibly be more?  Again, i've seen the response that its different for everyone, but from experience can you tell me a generic time table of how things progress, and maybe a range, barring a miracle.

Answer
While from your description it indeed seems to be a terminal condition it is unfortunately impossible for me (and anybody and everybody else) to make any kind of prediction in such a case without even knowing the diagnosis and full medical condition of the patient - and even then it is quite hard! So without MUCH MORE information it is impossible to help you with this. Is this a stroke case or a tumor case? I also have to remind you that I'm here as a cancer (& brain tumor) expert. If the diagnosis of the patient is something else it is OUTSIDE my area of expertise here!