What is this condition called?

Lastnn30, the family needs to sit down and plan for her passing. Read her favorite prayers, play her favorite music, comfort each other. Make the final arrangements together. If she had a favorite Imam, ask him to come.

Please have a frank discussion with mom's doctor. Right now, I personally believe your mom is living a nightmare. I am profoundly sorry.

Living Wills. Our ticket to ride.

If she is able to understand but not communicate it is called "locked in syndrome". Therapists have had success teaching people with locked in to communicate with eye movements.

My mom was 92 when this happened, and I had to make the decision to let her go. Because she could not swallow anymore and they told me the only other thing was to put a feeding tube in. Because my mom had been able to live on her own, have a garden, etc. right before her major stroke, everyone in my family (including her brother who I adore and I wanted his thoughts and opinions on what decisions I should make) said she would not want to be like this. So they put her on morphine and anti-anxiety meds and we let her pass. It was the hardest decision I've ever made in my life, and I know I will always question it no matter what. But hospice helped me and my family was there too. Hospice is everywhere and they are paid in full by medicare. Please as your local city or even her doctor. The doctor helped to set up everything for my mom.
I wish you the best and know that many of us have gone through what you are right now. I know that might not help, but the hospice staff will have experienced this many, many times.

What do her doctors tell you about her condition? Is she still in the hospital or is she at rehab? What you want to ask the medical professionals is what is her prognosis , what do they see happening in terms of progressing from this stste? Do they expect that she will regain the ability to swallow, to stand to walk to use her limbs? Write all these questions down and ask them until you get answers.

The big question of course is, does your mom want to live like this, if there will be no improvement in her physical condition. I'm sorry that you're going through this.

I'm hesitant to say this, but please ask yourself , would you want to continue living like this? Most people would not. Is it time to let her go? If hospice is available in Iraq she needs to be put into care now.

Lastnn, I hope this is more comforting than harrowing, though I wish there were something more hopeful to say: if your mother has already suffered three strokes, and is so completely immobile, it is very probable that there will be more to come and her chances of surviving them are slight. In view of her current quality of life, perhaps this would be a kindness. My own mother passed away recently having suffered a major stroke in December, and I can reassure you that what happened in the last two weeks of her life is that she seemed to be unconscious for increasing periods of time, during which she ceased to breathe, until at last her heart stopped. She died very peacefully and gently.

If possible, make sure that your mother is not left alone so that if she seems to need anything it can be offered to her straight away. Other than that, I am sorry to say that there is probably very little you can do besides what you are already doing - keep her comfortable and wait.

There is one other, very difficult point. You may as a family like to discuss with her doctors whether the nasogastric tube might need to be withdrawn. I believe it might be possible to withdraw it and review your mother's swallowing reflex to see if there has been any improvement; you would then need to consider carefully what to do next. This is not only a matter of not burdening your mother with excessively invasive, albeit palliative, treatment. In a home environment, the risk of infection must be quite high and eventually the tube will not be able to be left in situ - but if you wait until there is an infection, that could be very uncomfortable indeed. Your doctors are clearly doing their best in difficult circumstances, so in your position I would ask them what developments they expect in your mother's condition and take their advice. My best wishes to you.

Oh my goodness, that must have been an ordeal for all of you. I can't imagine what it must be like trying to find medical and nursing help at home.

I have no idea if these drugs would be obtainable, but my mother was provided with three types for use in case of need (I am very happy to say that she never did need them): an anxiolytic, in case she became frightened or distressed; a mucolytic, in case her throat became obstructed; and injectable morphine in case of severe pain. All of these required a qualified nurse to administer them, so you would also need either to find someone who would be amenable to coming to your home promptly, as soon as he or she was needed; or perhaps to ask your nearest hospital if they would be able to train a family member in their use - given the difficulties, they might be prepared to consider that.

How are you managing your mother's overall wellbeing? Are you able to keep her comfortable and clean? This site also has very good practical sections on managing problems such as pressure sores if you would like advice on that kind of thing.

Lastynn you have clearly decided to continue to care for your mother so given that decision is out of the way. The nourishment you are giving sounds very appropriate. As long as you do not withdraw more than you are going to feed her she is processing the feeds. If not she may vomit. If that happens it is a sign that her digestive system is shutting down and the end is close. You can just let the stomach contents drain out of the tube into a collection bag if available or just into a bowl. it may be clear , brown, green or really fowl smelling. the next dangers will be a urinary tract infection or pneumonia. Either can be treated with antibiotics if you can obtain them. The urine will be cloudy and smelling like dead fish. If her breathing has a kind of crackling sound to it she probably has pneumonia. as far as pain is concerned, that is difficult to judge but a couple if indications can be screwing up her face or maoning. If she moans regularily with each breath it is not usually pain but if she does it when touched or moved.
Are you cahnging her position regularily to avoid pressure sores. i think you said previously you are . I can't go back on check that post because the current one tends to be erased if I do that. It is quite likely she will have another major stroke and pass away from that. If her lungs seem to fill with fluid which often happen right before death, just place her on her side with towels under her face. There are medications that will dry up these secretions but I doubt available to you. The one I have in mind is LEVSIN. it is usually prescribed for bladder spasms but the side effect is to dry up the lungs (In case other posters question this recommendation). Keep up with the Tylenol every six hours. i can not think of anything else I can tell you to do. You are being forced to live under such horrible conditions. We see the news but the horror of daily life is unimaginable. you are taking the very best care you can of your mother. I do not know what people here would do if faced with the same challenges so you have my utmost respect.

The question to ask yourselves is would she wish to go on living in this state? Are you keeping her alive for your own reasons knowing there is no hope of recovery.
Is she digesting the nourishment you are giving? Does she urinate and pass feces? Each time before you give her food can you attach the syringe and withdraw to see if there is still fluid in her stomach. If she is in any pain there is a liquid form of morphine that is given with a very small syringe without a needle in the mouth. You just slip it between her lips and very slowly just push it between her gum and cheek. It will be absorbed right there. Other medications can be given rectally. You are really on your own managing the very best you can. Do you think she may be trying to tell you something by not opening her mouth for you? Do you think she would rather not be fed anymore? Dehydration is not painful or distressing. Many people think endorphins are released and promote a sense of calmness in the dying. You and your family have to make the difficult decision about what to do from here on in but consider what your mother would want and what the kindest thing is for your family to do. Whatever you do it will be heartbreaking. Our good thoughts go with you, we will help from afar even if is only over the internet.