Hospice nurse explains ‘number one phenomenon’ before death that sees ill people ‘recover’

Watching a loved one in hospice care is an experience that many may not fully comprehend, but one woman has been shedding light on this painful topic.

Julie McFadden has been incredibly open about her time as a hospice nurse in California and has revealed little-known facts about dying and death to help people prepare for the inevitable.

Sharing that she’s not afraid of death, Julie has talked about the common signs of death, things that people typically do before they die and so much more as a way to allow her viewers to understand the process.

But there’s one thing that she has cleared up which might give families false hope if they don’t know what the meaning behind it is.

In a video on TikTok, she revealed that some people who are dying may suddenly seem to get 'better'.

Julie said: "Here's one phenomenon that happens during the death and dying process that medical professionals, like myself, cannot explain.

"This is when someone is really sick and almost towards actively dying, meaning dying within a few days, and then suddenly they look like they are 'better'.

"This can manifest in different ways but a lot of times they suddenly will eat, they'll suddenly talk, maybe even walk, they act like their old selves.

“They have a little more of a personality, kind of laughing, talking, joking but then usually they die within a few days after this, sometimes even that night and it happens to probably a third of our hospice patients, so it happens quite a bit."

Known as terminal lucidity, a patient might suddenly be able to eat, drink, talk and be alert.

However, sadly, it doesn’t last.

While families might be hopeful that this means that a person is getting 'better', it’s simply part of the dying process.

Julie called this the 'number one phenomenon' people on the verge of death experience.

Whether you know it by names such as 'the surge' or 'the rally’, it all means the same thing.

While experts can’t explain it, it is seen often enough that they know what it leads to.

“We try to educate the family about this before it happens so it doesn't devastate them when they suddenly pass after doing so well for a few days,” the hospice nurse said, before adding: “The hard part is enjoying that while it's happening and knowing they will likely die shortly after.”

Julie shared that she’s heard families mention that their loved one had 'a couple really good days', before death.

Revealing that her own grandmother experienced the same thing before her death at age 91, she said that her family member refused to eat or drink and slept for long periods of time.

Then, her family found her sitting up and attempting to put her shoes on. She also ate a meal.

Sadly, she then passed away the following day.

Julie added: "That's the perfect example of the rally."

What causes terminal lucidity?

The short answer is that more research is needed to fully understand the phenomenon, which in some ways contradicts what we think we know about the human body.

Some experts suggest that the brain's cognitive functions and memories work a little differently during terminal lucidity than they would normally do.

Scientists have theorised that fluctuations in brain functions cause a brief period of lucidity before death, according to Healthline.

While studies have tried to find out what causes terminal lucidity, Julie noted: "There is nothing that has been scientifically proven or studied to tell us exactly why it's happening."

All in all, you should ‘try to stay present in the moment with your loved one having that really good day’ and ‘look at it as a true blessing, almost like a gift your loved one is giving you’.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.