jcb
always emerging from hibernation
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2007
- Messages
- 4,641
Yesterday I lost my mother. She led a wonderful, full life. She fiercely loved my father, her three sons, and touched many with her gifted performances on the piano and organ. She instilled in me a love for music, travel, the outdoors and a belief that no matter what the obstacles, I could accomplish anything.
Just before Thanksgiving, Mom grew jaundiced. An endoscopy revealed a tumor in her pancreas which was later confirmed to be cancerous. In a strange way the diagnosis was a gift, as it let us know our time with Mom was short. We were able to make the most of that limited time.
Even so, I dreaded Mom having to endure a drawn out, painful end. I could see Mom declining in my last several visits but she continued to laugh, tease my father (a lifelong habit), and was as alert as can be when you have dementia. Thursday afternoon, for the first time, Mom complained that she was in pain. Friday morning, Mom became non-responsive with very weak vitals. She passed, peacefully, at home yesterday afternoon. My father and I were with her. Mom never wanted a "fuss" made about her. She lived, and died, the way she wanted and had hoped, with grace and poise.
The DIS has meant more to me than I could ever describe in words. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts about my Mom.
Just before Thanksgiving, Mom grew jaundiced. An endoscopy revealed a tumor in her pancreas which was later confirmed to be cancerous. In a strange way the diagnosis was a gift, as it let us know our time with Mom was short. We were able to make the most of that limited time.
Even so, I dreaded Mom having to endure a drawn out, painful end. I could see Mom declining in my last several visits but she continued to laugh, tease my father (a lifelong habit), and was as alert as can be when you have dementia. Thursday afternoon, for the first time, Mom complained that she was in pain. Friday morning, Mom became non-responsive with very weak vitals. She passed, peacefully, at home yesterday afternoon. My father and I were with her. Mom never wanted a "fuss" made about her. She lived, and died, the way she wanted and had hoped, with grace and poise.
The DIS has meant more to me than I could ever describe in words. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts about my Mom.