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I am caring for my mother with ESLD. I spent 6 weeks in the hospital with her and was told she had days to live. I brought her home to hospice with family and though the first few weeks were rough it seems we are all finding a flow and enjoying each others company. My mother was a terrible alcoholic most of my life, but has finally quit drinking and I really cherish this time with her (She is 58). The nurses that visit talk about how much she has stabilized and almost seems to be doing better. I feel like she is doing better too, however she doesn’t eat. She drinks plenty of water and munches on ice but I haven’t seen her eat more than 100 calories in a day since August 12, usually in the form of diluted juice. Sometimes it is obvious she is hungry and tries to eat but will vomit or spit her food out after only a bite or two. I feel so sad to think she is starving to death but no one seems to have an answer beyond Ensure (which also makes her vomit). I cook her or buy her anything she asks for and she does not want an I.V.
I have to admit at first I wondered if it was ever going to end and now I have to hold back tears most parts of the day thinking that she won’t be around much longer. I am truly baffled at how well she is doing while only drinking water.

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I’d inquire if they can give her a medication for nausea or is there some procedure doctors can do to make her more comfortable, that doesn’t involve an IV. I don’t know how long she might continue with so little food. That is a mystery.
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It varies, according to age, disability, illness, but with water quite a long long time. Please speak with hospice. This is the sort of question they are great at answering, and they are aware of her individual case. I will warn you that they will find this a tough question to answer. Doctors and nurses don't answer this questions out of caring, but because they honestly don't know. But even sips of water keep a body going a much longer time than withdrawal of both food and water.
I am so dreadfully sorry at the loss of your Mom so young, but I am so relieved you have this time together.
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I’m sorry you’re going through this. Our hospice nurse told us that with no food of any kind a person can live three weeks, much longer with fluids. With both my parents we were advised to never let dehydration happen as it is painful. Even when a person isn’t actively drinking any longer you can do minimal hydration to keep them comfortable. Your mother has had food to sustain her this long, just very little, and that’s so hard to watch. She can get meds like Zofran for nausea if that’s the issue. But at true end of life the body will reject food and that’s normal. I wish you both peace, hold mom’s hand, and know you’re doing your best
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My husband went 41 days without any food and 25 days without any drink when he was in his dying process. It doesn't sound like your mom is that far along yet. I also discovered several times in my husbands journey with Hospice that often he would improve once he returned home(from either hospital or their facility), and his nurses would say that it was because I was taking such good care of him. So just enjoy whatever time you have left with your mom. God bless.
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