Month: April 2008

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…

Mom update: She is not in as much pain (if at all). This is a huge relief, especially after six days. She is still conscious and able to talk. There have been lots of “I love you” and “You’re a good kid.” And some “stop patting my hand,” but that’s Mom. The morning started with…

Mom was in one of three states all day today: 1. Pain 2. Sociable 3. Hallucinatory 1. Mom in pain is not good, and Mom in pain after five days of hospice is five times worse. In the morning we doubled her pain patch, and after more pain in the evening we switched her breakthrough…

Important Mom update: Mom is still breathing, conscious, and asking for various friends. Long Mom update: This is so bad, people. We all cried today. I am sure people walking past on the street began crying for no reason. In the morning, Mom said, “I’m hot. Call the doctor. Ask him if I’m dying.” After…

Mom can’t talk because she can’t fill up her lungs enough to force out noise. (Marcia, I’ve tried using the diaphragm-pushing technique you’ve used with your friend, but I’m afraid I’ll hurt her.) So, we’ve had trouble the last few days with understanding what she says. (I’m still not ready to relate The 1815 Incident,…

Mom Update: Breakthrough pain meds doubled, and if that doesn’t work the pain patch medicine might be doubled again. A funny thing happened today, and if it hadn’t made me cry solidly for two hours I would tell you about it. Perhaps in a year, just say, “The 1815 Incident,” and I’ll tell you about…

Mom update: The doctor doubled the pain patch, so Mom has rested comfortably. Tonight when she woke up she placed an order for pastries for the friends who are visiting tomorrow. She is still gasping out pithy jokes. And the nurse tonight, Carol, can read the lips of people in respiratory masks AND her last…

Hospice nurse was here 20 minutes and told me to get on a daily dose of wine or anti-depressants for the crying. I told her I was on the Celexa, and she said, “Call your doctor. Increase the dose.” When she left she turned to me and said “Drugs. Drugs are good.”

About twenty years ago, Mom had open-heart surgery. One day during her recovery, Mom scrawled “RAT POISON” across a notepad. “Rat poison? Where did you see rat poison?” Dad asked. Mom scrawled, “Mahatma Gandhi,” then “Maybel. PARROT.” Later, when they took Mom OFF the morphine, we discovered Mom had been visited by the Mahatma, who…

Over the last few days people have had the nerve to push past my natural reserve and force compassion on me. I find I have a new power. I can make these compassionate people cry. Hey, they want me to talk while I’m crying? Here’s how it feels, suckers. This has worked on the past…