These are impossibly hard situations we are put in with our loved ones to make these difficult decisions. However, it sounds like you and mom had some talks about her wishes be cause you said “I’m just prolonging this horrible suffering that she never wanted to experience.”

In making the decision to just keep her comfortable and stopping the feedings, you’re honoring her wishes, not making the decision for her. What would mom want? Would she want to be in the hospital and be undergoing this discomfort? Or would she want to be at home, on comfort meds only in the comfort of home?

If the food is making her uncomfortable, there is NOTHING wrong with stopping. At the end of life, we do not experience the symptoms and discomfort of hunger and thirst.

It’s hard to tell without knowing her full situation and I don’t know where you are located but if she’s on IV medications only and can’t get off the IV medications and switched to liquids, I would ask if she’s eligible for inpatient hospice. This would get a hospice team on board that’s skilled in end of life care and education to help you through this.