Complications of breast cancer which metastasized to her lungs, along with pneumonia and blood clots.
She was fine in September.
In and out of area hospitals, draining fluid from the pleura, transfusions, antibiotics.
An oxygen concentrator set at 2 liters of oxygen, then 4, then 6.
Discharged a few days ago to go on hospice care, with me taking leave from work to take care of her at home.
She died overnight…not in some strange hospital room hooked up to wires and tubes, nor warehoused in some nursing home.
She died in her own home, in her own room, in her own bed.
My condolences on one of the crappier events in anyone’s life.
You’ve done well for her. Which will be small comfort when the real grief hits. Which it will. But will be something you can carry with you later when grief has abated and wistful sadness is all that remains.
It took me one and a half years to cry when my mom died. I was too stunned and shocked to cry before, but it hit me all at once out of nowhere and I sobbed uncontrollably for a long time. Grief is weird.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you made her final days more comfortable than could have been possible in a hospital, and I’m certain it made a difference to her. Go well.
Hugs to you. Losing a parent is always difficult, sudden or not. So glad she was at home and not in an impersonal setting. When it hits you, allow yourself to grieve, then remember all the best of times.
