3rd bounce back-near end of life. Has anyone’s loved one sweat so profusely at the end of their days of life?

The cancer often causes profuse night sweats while sleeping. Speak to the hospice nurse and ask for medication to help your mom through this difficult time. Sending you a hug and a prayer for peace for both you and your dear mom.

I wish I could answer your question directly, but I can only provide input from my own experience. My mother was in hospice for 6 months, then rallied for few months and was put back in hospice again. I think she has been in now for well over 6 months. She wasn't mobile and was on oxygen but would still sit in her recliner chair, watch TV and eat. She was always lucid when I visited. She always said the physical therapist would help her walk again, but I knew that wasn't the case and it broke my heart.

A few weeks ago I visited and she was in her chair all flushed and said she had been throwing up all night. Shortly after she was moved into the "transition" phase where she is now bedridden. On my first visit, she was agitated, picking at her clothes and bedsheets and crying out random names. The hospice nurse gave her Lorazepam for her anxiety. She was only drinking small amounts of water.

Fast forward a couple of weeks and she is still weak but is lucid again. Last time I was there she ordered an omelette (which was okayed by the staff) and we fed her small bites. She still says she is uncomfortable, and who wouldn't be laying in bed 24 hours a day, so I try raising and lowering her bed. She has occasionally said she wants to die, but the body goes when it is ready. I really have no idea how long she will linger, but it is heartbreaking to see.

So, it is so hard to say when your mother will finally pass. I agree with others that you should go back to your job. My mother lives 25 miles away and I honestly hate making the trip but I go several times a week. The days I don't go I know she is getting the best of care and there is nothing I can do anyway. When I've gone I've held her hand, but that isn't going to bring her back. I feel your pain, and I'm so empathetic to what you are going through.

One of my sons soaks his bed with sweat every night. He is 35 and has since he was a child. I have not idea what causes it.

My mom also picked at her clothes and sheets and hid meds in her bed (I think because she was having more and more trouble swallowing pills). Her skin often felt sticky the last week or so, but not actually dripping. I think the body stops being able to regulate its temperature at some point. Medication for anxiety and pain was crucial for us, and increased as needed near the end so there was no suffering.

Why isn't her hospice nurse giving her medication to stop her agitation? You need to talk to the hospice people more. It seems from your posts that you and they aren't communicating very well.

Predicting the end of anyone’s life is a very inexact bet. We were told to look for three things that showed death to be imminent, stopping communication, stopping eating, and sleeping a lot in a much deeper sleep. This proved very true. It doesn’t sound like your mom is there for any of these. I’d encourage you to return to work, you’ll need that after this is over so hang onto it. It will also give you a release from constant stress and hovering over mom. I’m sorry you’re going through this and wish you both peace

If you enjoy your job to back to it. Some are on hospice for years. If you don't like your job, what do you want to do next? Start working towards that. Does mom need a nursing home?