How long after all life support is discontinued does it take to pass away?

Of course when anyone passes its a tough time. I and my family have made the descision to end all support for my dad. he has terminal cancer and has been fighting it for 3 years. He now has moved down hill very rapidly and drasticly. We have talked to his doctors and medical peronal and came to this descision. he didnt want to be left on anything if there was no hope, and there is not any.

He has been fighting infections and cancer for quite sometime. He has been taken off his anitbiotics and TPN wich is a intervenious *sp* feeding. does anyone know how long, it takes nature to take its course? this is such a difficult time for all of us. I am 7 months Pregnant and we were all hoping he would get to see his first grandson. If any one else has been throught this and has anything to share its aprecated. Please for those of you who are judgemental , you dont need to leave any comments. its our descision to make not yours.. Thanks to everyone who will answer.

How long it will take depends on the state of the heart, lungs and kidneys, and if he is still able to take fluids. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, until either the cancer reaches a point where it affects vital functions, he is overwhelmed by infection and goes into septic shock which will shut down the kidneys, or if he develops pneumonia. If he is not recieving any fluids at all, it will be only a matter of days. I don't think you need to feel defensive about the decision. You are not doing things to extend his life, but you are also not doing anything to hasten it either. Letting go is never easy, and anyone who thinks it is has never worn your shoes. I'm sorry you are having to watch all this in your condition, as you say it's not ever easy but I'm sure it's even harder to witness the end of one life and anticipate a new one. The doctors assisting your family are the best one's to judge as far as time left, as they are most familiar with his overall condition. If you are a spiritual family, it may be helpful if you have your chosen advisor at hand while you wait this out. Even when the end is anticipated, when it arrives it is always just as hard on the loved one's left behind. The dying is harder on those who will live afterwards.

I have been a nurse in nursing homes for 33+ years so I can tell you that it can be any where from a day or two up to a week or more before he will pass away. Death is one thing that can be very hard to predict. Make sure they keep your dad comfortable and if you notice he is restless at all or moans at all call the nurses and ask for medication. If you have not involved hospice I would encourage you to talk to your dads hospital social worker in the morning about this. They are wonderful. I wish you all the best and may god make his final journey a peaceful one.

i'm so sorry to hear about your dad especially when the grandson is coming along.. it is indeed your decision to make and answerers here are just to support you since we too can't make things better for your dad considering that even the doctors said that there's no more way.. coz it;s already terminal.. i am so sorry but no one can tell as to how long your dad will live without life support and prolonging his agony will just make it worst. good for you to have let nature take its course.. it's hard for him , too. cancer patients sometimes defy the presumed span of life left on them as told by doctors and some die just before the date told.. i'm so sorry but no one will ever know as to when nature will take its course coz we are just humans and we can't foretell the future. for now, just do the best you can to comfort your dad. it's the best that you can do.. try to ask what he wants, to make him happy. do whatever you can to show him that you love him.. be there for him and tell him that you'll be alright when he's gone.. that he should be happy in the arms of God ... that he'll be in a safe and happy place once he goes there. .. make him go peacefully and make him remember the good things he's had in his life and be thankful for them, for you and his family, for his friends, for everything he's ever attained in life. take care and may you go through this part of your life with respect and courage.

Bless you and your family.
Thetime is impossible to judge; I'm sorry. The doctors and nurses losest to him can be the best resourse for this answer.

ask his doctors, they have all his data and might be able to answer your questions.
just make sure he's all comfortable.

good luck

by life support you mean the tpn,right? when my sis went off her tpn i.v., she lasted 11 days.10 of those 11 days were spent curled up on her bed. she couldn't communicate or move though i do believe she was aware. each person is different though. you should talk to his hospice nurse. they've been through this many times and can answer your q's. i'm so very sorry you'll have to go through this. even though it's the best thing, it isn't easy. god bless you and your family. tell that little one all about his grandpa. he'll be watching out for him.