It's Time

Over the past few days things have changed drastically with my mom.  Her coughing got really bad on Friday and that made her breathing extremely labored.  We have promised her all along that when she gets to the point where she feels like she is drowning or suffocating we will increase her medicine so she doesn't know its happening.  That time has come.  As of Friday afternoon hospice increased her medicine so she is heavily medicated and rarely coughs.  She spends the majority of her time sleeping.

Over the past few days she has received short visits from friends and family.  I think the visits have allowed people to have closure at a time when mom is still fairly lucid.  She has expressed her fears, some of which we could resolve simply with our reassurances that things will be fine and her children will be loved.  She seems to have a hard time when she thinks about unfinished business.  She expressed sadness that she won't be around to hold Jake and Megan's baby when it arrives, but everyone has assured her that they will be the best fill-in grandparents around.

There aren't words to explain the atmosphere in mom's house.  These walls are filled with sadness, an abundance of love, and the best caregivers a person could hope for.  Two friends have brought us food to get us through the day so nobody has to leave the house (thank you Lervick and Reid families).  We continue to search for strength at this time of need, but we are filled with hope that mom seems very much at peace with the stage she is at.

As for all of you, please know that my family is very appreciative of the kind words and loving prayers that you continue to send our way.

With love-
Amy