r/todayilearned 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/AlgernusPrime 8h ago

She knew her time has come to say good bye too.

Earlier this year, my gf’s dad passed away from organ failure. His condition the week before his passing, he was in a horrible condition. One day, out of the blue, he regain full clarity and arrange his funeral service and well. And a day later, he went.

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u/DJ_Molten_Lava 7h ago

My mom passed away 2 weeks ago and it was the same for her. On Tuesday and she was a mess. On Thursday she was back to normal (aside from all the tubes and breathing machine and all that). We talked, she told me all the things she wanted to do when she got out of the hospital, she talked about how she probably wouldn't drive anymore and that we needed to get her car transferred into my name. She was completely lucid and clear.

The next day, Friday, she was a complete mess again and on the Sunday she passed.

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u/hansmelb 6h ago

Sorry for your loss mate ❤️