I’m sorry to Sherry and Mom’s other friends and relatives who read this on a blog instead of through a phone call tomorrow: Mom slipped into a coma this morning at 5:30, and then died this evening at 7:18.
Her friends Pat and Sue visited her this morning, then of course the hospice nurse had to come and re-evaluate her. We excluded both private nurses while Dave and I waited with her. About 6:30 pm Mom began a downturn. Gary came in around 7:15 and talked with the nurse. Dave and I said goodbye to Mom, then I called Gary in. “Bye bye Margie,” he said, then she made a new strange noise and we watched her pulse stop.
I want to add, I’ve looked at your comments and emails the last few days. I’ve also heard of your Porch Presents, Caroline (#4), Marcia (#2), and Libby (#2). They have all meant a lot to me.
Of course, I need to consider a few things after I sleep a while: The Anti-Hospice Viewpoint, and Hospice by the Numbers, and Oxygen Deprivation, and my latent drug addiction. But that’s later, now sleep.
63 responses to “This is the bad post”
I don’t think we’ve ever met, though we’ve been on the same ship twice now. I read your blog and have followed both your and your Mum’s health issues with empathy. I am so very sorry for your loss. I’ll be thinking of you in the days to come and hoping you can find peace.
Ratqueen, Entropy, Scott, Liz, Stephanie, Wende, Lauren, Fannie, Viv: Thank you for commenting. It really does mean a lot.Everyone: I can’t say anything but thank you, again. I feel better.
i am so sorrymay she and you rest in peacethanks again for keeping us all updatedthinking of you. . .
Thanks, keri
I am very sorry to hear this news. You have my thoughts.
Jamon, I went to find your comment and assumed for a moment it was the one on the bottom of page one, about praying. Hey! I thought, is he being sarcastic? But then I realized my mistake. Mom and I will take thoughts and prayers. Not Fung Shui, though.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Ellen. I’m sending my love through the ether to you and yours.
So very sorry for your loss, Queen. Losing a mom is so very hard. My deepest condolences.
I’m so sorry. I’m glad you could be there, but sad that you had to be there. Your and your mom’s love for each other is palpable, and I admire you both so much, for being so high-spirited in such miserable circumstances. I hope you’re taking care of yourself.
So sorry to hear this. 🙁 My thoughts are with you guys.
Styro – Thoughts, prayers, and love then.Candy – Whenever anyone we knew lost a mom, Mom would say, “You die two deaths other than your own, if you lose a child or if you lose a mother.”TasterSpoon – High-spirited? I know I’m not supposed to be high-spirited, but I can’t be low-spirited anymore. I’m relieved. Maybe that’s the benefit of hospice, you sob when your loved ones can appreciate it, then you clear up when there is work to be done.Kara – Thank you, Kara.
Darling Ellen,I’m so incredibly sorry to hear of your loss. It is hard to take comfort in small things in a time like this, but I offer you a small thing…you are a wonderful, brave, loyal, and caring daughter to a funny, irreverant, deliciously bloggy mom. It sounds like you did all that you could to make these last few weeks comfortable as could be for your mother, and that is all anyone can ask for; someone to care for you and love you and cry with you and bathe you and feed you in your last moments on earth.I admire your strength and I know that you are full of loving memories of your mom.Rest in peace, Queen Mum.
Melati – I don’t think she’s resting. I prefer to think she’s limbo dancing and pumping iron.