I'm sorry if this question has already been asked, or if it seems obvious and stupid, but I have to admit, I really don't know that much about cancer.
My mom had cancer when I was a toddler, but she doesn't like to talk about it, and I can't remember what she went through. But anyway, toward the end of the film right before Kate died, why was she so black and blue? Even her teeth and gums had a bluish color to them.
My husband died of cancer last year and had the same mottling. She was in the active dying stage of the disease:
The Final Days
During the final days, your loved one may begin a phase known as “active dying.” Rather than an event in which the body simply turns off, researchers now believe that dying is an active process the body is designed to go through. Physical signs you may notice in these last days include:
The skin becomes cool as body temperature lowers; mottling (bluish, blotchy patches) occurs.
Eating and drinking stops, but there is no sense of hunger or thirst.
Breathing becomes irregular. Rapid, deep breaths may alternate with periods of very shallow breathing (Cheyne-stokes respirations). A gurgling sound (the death rattle) may occur due to build up of secretions in the back of the throat.
Perspiration increases, and the skin can feel wet and clammy.
Emotionally, your loved one may become agitated, picking at the sheets or clothing. Confusion and hallucinations are common, and those who are actively dying often speak of seeing loved ones who have gone before. In the last few days, she may have a surge of energy, sitting up if she has been bedridden, or eating a full meal after eating little for days. This can be heart wrenching if family members misinterpret this as a sign that their loved one is getting better. Most likely, it is the body’s way of allowing a dying person a last chance to say goodbye. As dying progresses, she will stop communicating and enter a deep sleep. Even if she does not appear to hear you or know you are present, continue to express your love. It is felt that hearing is one of the final senses to leave in the dying process.
I hope this answers your question.
It did help, thank you. That's actually one of the things I liked about the film. Usually when a character in a film or tv show is dying they look a little pale but that's it. Whereas with this film, they actually made it realistic looking. I mean wow, she looked awful before she died. I felt so sorry for her. Sofia Vassilieva is a brilliant actress.
shareshe really deserved an Oscar.
shareI know this is an older post, however, I just wanted to tell you that I am very sorry for the loss of your husband. Almost all of us have been touched by the loss of a friend or loved one to cancer; I am sorry that your husband had to go through that.
shareThank you, Nancy.
I've been making fine jewelry for years, apparently.
May I add my best wishes to those of Nancy. A bereavement can never be easy, and cancer must be one of the hardest ways to lose someone you love.
My mother died of a stroke, and my father of a heart attack. I was with them both in hospital over the two weeks it took them to depart. That was not pleasant, and I can imagine that the loss of someone to cancer would be worse. Having said that, my mother was 78, and my father was almost 95, so death was not unexpected. The death of my 24 year old niece in a car accident affected us all much more.
This film is actually one of the very few to show disease and dying in a relatively realistic way. Also the absence of a miracle recovery is a big bonus - the original author was not so brave or intelligent.
Wow
sharemy mum died of cancer last year and exhibited half of these signs. now i can put a name to it. i'm sorry for your loss and thank you for posting
I'm sorry for your loss as well.
I've been making fine jewelry for years, apparently.
Sorry about your Mom. My Mom died in March of this year, she was 91, and would have been 92 in May. She also exhibited a handful of these symptoms before she went. She had dementia, and was in a care facility for 5 years. One of the caregivers at the facility said that he's seen some of those symptoms, like suddenly wanting to sit up and communicate, etc. They sometimes get a rush of adrenaline before they pass. My Mom didn't though, she was the opposite.
AVADA KEDAVRA!!!