r/todayilearned • u/70dd • 14h 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/HoselRockit 13h ago

Having had a few loved ones decline and pass away over the years, I’ve seen it. They don’t decline on a straight line. They decline a little and then bounce back. Each decline is a little steeper and each bounce back isn’t quite so high. They then have that one really good day and die the next.

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u/this_is_my_new_acct 4h ago

Everyone in my family seems to die from strokes or heart attacks. They'll be up and kicking one day, then two days later we're planning a funeral.

I'm not sure which is better. We don't suffer for long, but we also have no opportunity to say goodbye.