Thanks, Margaret & Ry for the replies.
My question concerns the final "good-bye tear" which some patients shed right before the end of life.
I understand this happens with some patients - I know my friend saw it with her dad. I've done a lot of searching on this subject and can't find any explaination for it.
One nurse said there must be a medical reason for this happening. If the patient is comatose, is the one tear an emotional response or physical?
In other words, is this something the body just does as part of the "letting go" process or is it the patient's way of saying "Good bye and I will miss you, but I must leave now".
I know we have to assume that the patient hears everything all along the way and I've read that they are now thinking that touch is also one sense they keep to the very last.
One Hospice group encourages the family to save that tear on cloth. Then the cloth is cherished and actually worn on wedding and Christening gowns and used for other family customs.
I may never find the answer to this but I know it is heartbreaking to watch that one tear being shed. I'd just like to know if the body does it without the patient's awareness or is it really the patient crying for the last time
Thank You.
Thank you Anais for the response - perhaps we can both learn something on this subject.
Ry, thanks for sending this on, I will be awaiting any explaination or ideas on this.
Ven
Ven got a reaction from Devoria in Are there any Hospice Nurses on this site?