We went to the hospital yesterday, and were joined by one of her longtime girlfriends. At about 2:30 PM, we had a respiratory therapist come into the room and remove her breathing tube. I stood at her bedside for a while, holding her hand. At about 3:05 PM, a nurse came in and told us that her heart had stopped beating.
After a few minutes of tears, we made arrangements to have her body looked after and picked up, Then went off to get some dinner. Kayla gathered some of her close college friends around her, while I went home and followed up with a few phone calls about how we’re going to manage to find a new home for Oliver. I’m happy to report that I was able to make arrangements for a highly respected rescue organization to come and pick him up on Monday morning (one of Kayla’s desires was that Oliver not leave the household before she returns to New York).
I want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, all of the Dopers who have shown us such compassion and concern (to say nothing of the contributions that you have made to the gofundme campaign, which, in addition to covering the costs of Kayla’s emergency travel, have permitted us to successfully arrange for a small memorial service for Lorita).
I know that this ordeal is not really over yet (if it can ever truly be over), but I also know that I will be continually returning to the Dope to help me get through it. So, on balance, I guess I can say that the 20 years I have invested in being a Doper have paid off handsomely. I love and treasure you all.
So do I. But UCI Medical Center is a teaching hospital. Perhaps her remains will be used to model the techniques used in hip replacement or reconstructive joint surgery.
Anyway, yeah, we do feel pretty good about that decision.
I’m so sorry. Your love for her was apparent through your posts. Hugs to you and your daughter.
My mother left her body to science. Mom was a teacher, and she liked the idea that others could learn from her body once she no longer had use for it. My sister attended the service the teaching institution held the following summer for the families of those whose bodies were donated. She said it was really nice, and the med students spoke with gratitude. It led me to decide to leave my body to science as well.
Hugs to you and family. *(Copied from your other thread.) *