Elderly Aunt

[flump1]

Poor aunt had a fall in January and ended up in hospital badly bruised but nothing broken. She had a chest infection when they released her and she had antibiotics to take. Monday morning she fell again and is back in hospital , again nothing broken but both lungs are showing pneumonia and she doesn't seem to be responding to treatment. Aunt is using a respirator to keep her comfortable and she has pain control. Usually this lady is bright and cheerful and has a good quality of life. My cousin who has been to visit think Aunt has now ' given up ' . I guess my question is , are old folk able to reach a point where life is so damn hard, painful that they can just give it up ? I want what is best for her, she is a lovely lady and if that is what she really wants, so be it. Is there a chance she might rally ?

[society]

"Is there a chance she might rally ?"

Where there's life, there's hope.

Sorry to hear about your aunt. Hope she get well and out of the hospital soon.

[China Doll]

If they could then I think my grandad would have done that yonks ago.

However, I have heard of people who are in the process of dying (palliative care) appearing to wait until loved ones have said goodbye or left the room before taking their last breath. I've no idea how true that is though.

[albaqwerty]

She might well rally round. It was only Monday that she was admitted.

One of my great-aunts decided she was going to pop off when she hit 90. The lovely little lady did :-(

[mrs_overall]

Yes.
I have an aunt who is 93 and we found out this week that her cancer has spread to her brain. Despite her age she is mentally as sharp as a pin and said all she wanted to live for was to watch the 2012 Olympics. Now she knows her cancer has spread she says she has had enough of life and wishes she could go to sleep and not wake up.

[Sqad]

\\\are old folk able to reach a point where life is so damn hard, painful that they can just give it up\\\

Not only "old folk"....ANYBODY........who is involved in a painful or debilitating illness.

\\\\Is there a chance she might rally ?\\\

Anything is possible............from what you have written, I would have said that the odds are against.

[flump1]

Thank you all for your answers, much appreciated.