Need some insight please. Is this possible for a 93-year-old to regain strength and get better?

Yes, it is possible. My dad recovered well from abdominal surgery at age 92 but unfortunately died of cancer months later. He had dementia. But his surgery recovery was amazing. Another relative had a heart condition that almost killed her at age 95 but recovered, which surprised her doctors because they thought she couldn't. She then had cancer, which was treated and is in remission. She is 100. My friend's mom with dementia and hip replacement at age 97 went home to live until age 101. She could walk, but barely, and it was painful.

All of these people recovered but their lives were diminished because they were limited by other diseases. The question is, would you want to "recover" at that age, because something else will soon take you out anyway.

In retrospect, I wish my dad had died during surgery. It would have spared his dying of cancer and would have been a better way to go. So be careful what you wish for!

Yes. My 96 yo mother has gone from death's doorstep back to her baseline several times in the past 4 years.

Looking back over the past 17 years, it's amazing what she has survived. Covid - I was told she would be dead within 48 hours; Upper respiratory infection; C-Diff; Broken hip; Fecal blockage; Compression fractures of her spine from osteo; Burst appendix with terrible abdominal infection plus more.

Currently she is stable after her last bout with an upper respiratory infection requiring oxygen that got her under hospice care. She has rallied and no longer needs the oxygen. She is eating and drinking. Her vitals are good and yet her mobility suffers from general muscle wasting.

Sounds like your mom had some type of respiratory infection that she has been fighting.

Yes, someone can improve. My mother has been on hospice 3 times, each time improved and hospice care was stopped. She never fully regained her strength and there was an impact on her cognitive function.

I will admit it has been extremely difficult to emotionally prepare for her passing, only to improve, again and again. Especially as she never fully recovered, is now bed bound with dementia. She just continues to survive but gets weaker, mentally and physically. I hope your mother makes a better recovery than mine. Watching someone waste away over years and years is heartbreaking.

Our family went through several of these cycles with my dad. He had congestive heart failure for many years with its slow progression. He also had extreme weakness in his legs that no amount of physical therapy seemed to help. He had times we believed he was very close to death, only to make a comeback. Those comebacks became less over time, with him a bit weaker all along. I know it’s hard to watch and wish you peace

As many pointed out anything is possible. However as much as we want we do not live in fantasyland. We all die and as a scientist statistically she is on the other side of the curve. Meaning every day she lives she is more likely to die. So enjoy life one day at a time.

I have to ask was she taken to the doctor or hospital to diagnose the cause of the rapid decline, cough, loss of appetite, fever?
If this was/is an infection, virus of some sort and her body fought it off then yes it is possible that she can regain strength. And if it was/is an infection or virus of some sort medication may have helped her fight it off faster.

Yes she can get better. My aunt is 97 and a few years ago was put on hospice. Then she recovered and is back at achieving her goal of 100.
Next time your mom is failing get a hospice evaluation.

Sounds like something specific hit her and she’s been fighting it off and is winning that battle! The human body is an amazing miraculous thing.

Having the same exact experience right now as Daughterof1930. Father in law was very close to death 3 times in the last 6 months, in yet another rally this week .
It’s a roller coaster ride for sure.
I’m actually journaling about it right now if you care to read about this experience . If you go under the discussions section below questions section . It’s titled ‘FIL is back . What does that mean ?’

My father also had one rally period that lasted a couple of months before his death from cancer .
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Yes.
Almost anything is possible in recovery.