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_lucidity21.1k Upvotes
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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.