My Mother's Passing

I got to Galveston on 27 July. My mom was very weak but still able to walk and talk.By Wednesday she was to weak to get out of bed so she rested and I kept her company. Saturday she wanted to get up so my sister got her in the wheelchair and got her in the chair in the living room. She spent the day there. My other sister and brother visited and she seemed really happy. After they left she started crying saying that was the last time she would see them. She said she was so happy for my sister Karen because her life is going so well. She talked about Karen and how she still had the same sweet voice. She went back to bed early and was in a lot of pain- the hospice nurse had to come out at 3 in the morning. The next morning I made her coffee and biscuits. She was so weak she could only eat part of a biscuit and a few sips of coffee- she kept falling asleep between bites. Later that day she went into a coma like state. We called my brother and he came back the next day. We were told she could hear us even though she couldn't respond. We all talked to her and told her we loved her. The next week was the longest of my life. All 4 of us were there with her, the hospice nurse and my oldest friend Angela (she stayed all week too). There was no nurse available Monday night so Angela and I stayed up till 3:30 with her giving her meds and keeping her company. Then my brother and sister took over. My other sister was trying to get some rest as she hadn't slept in days. We all held her hand at times and rubbed her forehead hoping to soothe her. I think it was Wednesday or Thursday, she seemed to wake up and be aware. We all talked to her and told her how much we loved her. Her eyes were open and she was responding although unable to talk, but she tried. About an hour later she went back to sleep. There were friends visiting all week and lots of reminiscing and laughter- I hope she could hear it all. There were amazing, kind and gentle nurses all week long, They treated my mom with love and respect. One day Angela did her nails and my sister and niece fixed her hair and put on her earrings. Even though she was 82 and dying she still looked so beautiful. We all told her good bye and that we would all be fine. My cousin Vicki called and talked to her and told her it was ok to go, as did my other niece and nephews and her sister. All week long at different times her body would twitch and tremble. By Friday her lungs were so full of fluid that when she breathed it sounded like she was drowning. 11 August, Saturday morning, there was no nurse to replace the night nurse, Setha, so she stayed, not wanting us to be alone with no nurse. My sister had gone home to shower, my brother too and my other sister was in the room with my mom. I fell asleep in a chair when the nurse woke me and told me to hurry into her room. My mom was taking her last few breathes and my sister and I were holding her hands as she passed. I loved her very much and always wanted to be with her when she died.The nurse held me while I cried. Then I had to call my other sister and tell her mom was gone. She and my brother where there in minutes and there was lots of crying and hugging. The nurse took care of everything and we were so grateful she had stayed. My sister, niece, Angela and the nurse dressed her in some of her pretty clothes and she looked very peaceful.That last week she was surrounded by so much love. Even though it was hard I felt like she had a good death. There was great sadness and also a feeling of relief that her suffering was over. I rode back to Dallas a few days later with my brother. We had some good talks on the way. It felt so good to be home... Everyday I want to pick up the phone and call my mother to tell her something. I'm doing pretty well but as soon as I start thinking or talking about her I cry. She was my mother as well as my best friend. I'm going to miss her forever....