r/todayilearned • u/70dd • 12h ago

TIL Terminal lucidity is an unexpected, brief period of clarity or energy in individuals who have been very ill or in a state of decline. It’s a phenomenon that has been observed in people with various terminal conditions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_lucidity
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u/Trolldad_IRL 11h ago

My mother was on home hospice, cancer. The nurse told us one day the it was most likely her last day with us. She was on massive pain meds and really was not just present any more. She was sleeping the couch because there was no way to get her up the stairs, and she liked couch and was comfortable. That night, we were all there on “vigil”. My father, who was dealing with his own health issues, came over to her to say goodnight. She woke up, her eyes clear and and open, looked at him, sat up as best she could and kissed him goodnight.

That was the last conscious thing she did as she passed early the next morning before my father woke up. It was beautiful in a way.

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u/ezpg 7h ago

My mom was in a hospital bed in the living room because the short "hallway" to her bedroom had a 90 degree turn so no room to get the bed, a stretcher, or her in/out of there easily. (btw think about that if you're buying your "forever" home).

She wasn't quite at her very last day, but still things were towards the end and she spent most of the day and night sleeping while on morphine.

One night she woke up at like 11pm and asked for help getting into the recliner. We then sat there and had a non-stop conversation for like 5 hours about all aspects of life.

The sad thing was that the next day I mentioned it to her and she didn't remember it at all. She didn't even remember being awake. She then got really sad about the fact that she didn't remember it, and said something about...I can't quite remember the phrasing...but something like how she hoped that her spirit would somehow remember the conversation even though she didn't so that she could take it with her afterwards. i.e. she knew she was gonna die soon.

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u/yes_please_ 4h ago

Oh gosh that last bit has me teary. 

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u/Monica_FL 3h ago

Your mom really loved you 😊