Three times in the past month, I thought I was saying goodbye to my mother. Both times she has bounced back ( at a lower level, but amazingly well). She went into the hospital following an episode where she was unresponsive. She was diagnosed with severe dehydration and failure to thrive (in addition to dementia). Hospice came in because the doctor said that this would not get any better and she returned to the ALF. 2 weeks later, she began vomiting blood (lots of blood). The hospice nurse came. Mom was resting then the vomiting began again. The nurse told me Mom was passing. She had no pulse, but I talked to her as she sat unconscious and bleeding. After about 30 seconds, she opened her eyes and she was back. She then had two falls and a small seizure, but she didn't break anything. Last week when I visited her, she was in bed, totally unresponsive. The aide at the ALF was crying because she was sure this was the end. Mom bounced back again. Now she is using a walker and her speech is different, but she is talking and joking and still getting herself dressed in the mornings. This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. She is down to 75 pounds and eats almost nothing. I am exhausted, but happy to still have her. I just don't know how she keeps "coming back" when it seems to be the end and don't know what to expect from one day to the next. Have you experienced this?
My Mom has not had such dramatic experiences like your mom, but one strange thing my Mom has recently done is started talking much more than the past year. Granted her thoughts are random and sentences more often than not don't make sense, but she is trying to communicate and engage. I hold her hand, hug her, and try to converse with her.
Treasure each moment.
My mother-in-law had several near-fatal seizures. Though her recoveries weren't as dramatic as your mother's, she did pull through. One day I got a call and another was in progress. I had the stomach flu and didn't dare go near anybody, so I just hoped this would be another recovery. It wasn't. I still feel bad (if I let myself) that I didn't go up to sit with her.
My point is that one of these times will be your mother's last. She can't physically keep this up. A rally before death is very common, but she seems to be setting records. Keep us posted and try to take care of yourself. It's very possible that she may slip away when you aren't there. If so, please, please don't blame yourself.
Carol