Bereavement
Related: About this forumMy mom died today.
We drove down to be with her for her last 90 minutes. All we could do was stroke her hair.
She made it to 100 and one month exactly. We had a family party on Saturday despite her being jaundiced and in some pain, she really wanted us to celebrate with her.. Her health deteriorated quickly the past few months. They discovered a tumor in her Liver 2 weeks ago. She had gallbladder issues in September. Falls led to a fractured foot. And finally this week a 2nd mini stroke.
My youngest brother has been her caregiver. I feel for him. He tries to find humor in everything. This past week was hard on him and my sister, who has been staying with them. All five of her kids (I'm the oldest) were there. I finally understand what is meant by person passes peacefully with their family around them. Morphine drops made that possible. We were there for her last breath.
Tetrachloride
(8,478 posts)and friends.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)We'd hoped to have a party 1/20. But she was sick, and there was a torrential rain. We made up with a family gathering last weekend. Her last request was to have a pot luck for all her friends. I'd suggested a wake. So it'll be a combo.
calimary
(84,502 posts)Loving, supportive, and merciful. Peace to you all.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)She'd just finished getting her clean and comfy. Literally her last breath was right when she was finishing getting her just right.
❤️
forgotmylogin
(7,684 posts)I lost my mom in September of 2022. Home Hospice was an incredible resource both physically and psychologically. I'm sending all my positive vibes for you and your family during your grieving process that it will be healthy and full of love and remembrance.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)She was thoroughly prepared for this day 20 years ago. And my youngest brother will continue to live in her home.
Drum
(9,861 posts)cilla4progress
(25,968 posts)a "good death"!
May her memory be a blessing.
Rhiannon12866
(223,430 posts)I lost my mother, too (after an accident) and I stayed with her in the ICU as well. My brother was having panic attacks, so he kept coming and going, but I stuck it out and wouldn't have had it another way, hard as it was. My deepest sympathies to you, no matter the age or circumstances, this is one of the toughest losses.
CANADIANBEAVER69
(567 posts)but I would like to die like that, with family all around. I would feel lucky to go peacefully. So sorry for your loss but I hope you have some great memories to look back on as time carries on.
alwaysinasnit
(5,275 posts)console myself with the thought that she passed in her home, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. The morphine was a godsend. Don't forget to take care of yourself through all that comes next. May you find tranquility in the near future.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)💕
niyad
(120,410 posts)diva77
(7,880 posts)Amidst the deep sadness, it is definitely a gift that the family was able to gather round as she passed peacefully.
Shellback Squid
(9,110 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(28,521 posts)And morphine drips makes the end a lot more peaceful for the dying.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)"A final, or agonal, respiratory pattern is called fish out of water breathing. This is an ineffectual gasping of the mouth with little or no actual intake of air. This agonal gasping occurs very near physical death."
❤️
OAITW r.2.0
(28,521 posts)blm
(113,841 posts)🕯️
Deuxcents
(19,960 posts)Picaro
(1,834 posts)Sounds like a beautiful death.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)It's hard to know. There were some tricky days leading up to the end. But I swear. This is a very positive use of Morphine.
Strangely when the people from the mortuary drove up, it was at the same time as her next Morphine delivery.
❤️
spooky3
(36,333 posts)PlutosHeart
(1,445 posts)to your family.
The closure sounded so kind and you are all very fortunate.
Bless. Am so sorry for your loss.
Beacool
(30,329 posts)What a blessing to have had your mother for 100 years. My condolences to you and your family. May your mom rest in peace.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)We kinda thought she'd outlive us all.
❤️
TygrBright
(20,987 posts)My Mom passed in early December.
No advice, just... you're not alone.
sadly,
Bright
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)Other than stroking her hair I contributed playing classical music in the room.
First Mahler and then found Chopin which she used to play for us.
❤️
TygrBright
(20,987 posts)BigmanPigman
(52,340 posts)and she died a month before that date. She had very big 90th, 95th and 100th birthdays since she always wanted to live to be 100. I think her shear hatred for the GOP kept her alive for years.
My dad died suddenly in his sleep 5 years ago at the age of 85 and he was in great health. I am still in shock and grieving. I am glad he died peacefully in his sleep which is what we all want.
I hope you recover from your enormous loss better than I have. I have 100% empathy. I also hope she is able to visit you in your dreams. My dad did right after he died. It wasn't creepy at all and was comforting instead.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)Last summer she was talking about 110 being her new goal.
It took me 20 years to truly grieve my father's death in 1969. He was only 52.
My mom had been co-opted by FNC until she got on Buspar. A blessing to us all.
yardwork
(64,638 posts)OldSWODog
(74 posts)SleeplessSC, you have my deepest condolences...your post is deeply moving to me. I was with my own mother for several years and when she made her final exit here in Oregon. I'm still unable to put much into words and can well imagine your loss. Best wishes to you, my unmet friend, and to the rest of your family. OSD
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)That is what this place is all about.
I thought twice about sharing, but felt it beneficial.
❤️
OldSWODog
(74 posts)Thank you, SSC...may you find compassionate support here in your thread...cheers, OSD
DemocraticPatriot
(5,410 posts)My mother suffered from leukemia and alzheimers for ten years, and died at 79 years old.
Due to my economic circumstances, I was fortunate to end up living with her and my father,
in my childhood home, for the last six months of her life.
So I was with her when she died, holding her hand.... I have always been glad about that.
I was the only person in the room with her then, father was on telephone business when I yelled for him to come....
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)Please forgive my errant ways.
❤️
Ocelot II
(121,236 posts)Dem2theMax
(10,365 posts)And I am glad you were able to be there with her at the end. I was present at the death of my mom and of my dad. Held their hands as they took their last breaths.
I know how much that has meant to me over the years. I have a feeling that for all of you to be there with your mom will bring you a lot of peace, as it did for me.
For your Mom
vercetti2021
(10,403 posts)cate94
(2,892 posts)May she rest in peace.
dlk
(12,459 posts)Sending thoughts for peace and comfort for you, and your family.
keopeli
(3,579 posts)herding cats
(19,619 posts)This is such a painful and difficult path to go down. It sounds like your family is a strong unit which helps so much in times like these.
I will have you and yours in my thoughts. My sincere condolences.
lucca18
(1,322 posts)You were all able to be there for your mother, with love and support.❤️
Please take care.
TruthAlwaysWins
(43 posts)I am very, very sorry for your loss, Lucca18. My heart hurts for you. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I feel your pain, but I also sense the blessing that you and your family must have felt, having been there with her, and for her, through her final journey. May she rest in peace, and may you always carry her in your heart. Her love for you lives on.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says, There, she is gone!
there are other eyes watching her coming,
and there are other voices ready to take up the glad shout, Here she comes!
And that is dying. Rev. Luther F. Beecher
riverbendviewgal
(4,323 posts)It is hard when your loved ones pass on. The good memories will help you in your grief. Sending hugs.
2naSalit
(93,115 posts)stage left
(3,022 posts)for the loss of your mom.
Karadeniz
(23,466 posts)Lonestarblue
(11,932 posts)gademocrat7
(11,195 posts)On the loss of your beloved mother.
AllyCat
(17,165 posts)Peace to you
underpants
(186,997 posts)MOMFUDSKI
(7,080 posts)Take care of yourself.
mercuryblues
(15,166 posts)Find comfort in your memories
ms liberty
(9,857 posts)ProudMNDemocrat
(19,129 posts)May you find comfort knowing that your mother's love ❤️ continues to live on.
sinkingfeeling
(53,138 posts)marked50
(1,446 posts)XanaDUer2
(14,346 posts)babylonsister
(171,659 posts)To me, moms seem especially tough to lose. Hug your remaining loved ones tight, and hopefully you can draw strength from each other.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)Our mom wasn't a hugger. I learned that in psychotherapy in 1979. But the rest of us are. And we hugged each other yesterday. That part was truly beautiful. She would be so happy to see that.
onecaliberal
(36,209 posts)pandr32
(12,238 posts)It is hard to say goodbye to someone so close and dear.
We are a safe community here at DU, and anytime you need to hear a word of encouragement you can count on us.
Hugs to you and a heart, too, because yours must be broken.
Bluethroughu
(5,854 posts)100 years old, wow she has seen it all.
Saoirse9
(3,820 posts)But glad that you were there with her.
Wicked Blue
(6,725 posts)My condolences to you and all of your family
Demnh2fl
(28 posts)Your mom had a long life. I glad you got to be with her in her last minutes. Most of us are not so blessed to be with our parents in their finally moments. ❤️😢
MLAA
(18,654 posts)My dad passed 2 years ago at 92 of liver cancer. He said hed had a wonderful live and wanted to focus on quality of life not quantity so no treatments. He was actually upbeat and cheerful till the end. Sounds like your mom was in a similar frame of mind wanting to plan a pot luck. Still, losing a parent can be a real punch in the gut until you remember that it is the best for them, a gentle passing. 💗. Your mom was so fortunate to have all her children with her and I bet she let you know that.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)She was more and more aware of others and her own limitations. It's been difficult to mourn because in the end it was what we all prayed for. No more pain.
GAJMac
(232 posts)I am so sorry to hear this. It's very hard to lose someone you love, but I'm glad you were able to be there for her final moments. Please take time to heal as best you can, and don't expect too much from yourself.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)I'm going to share some photos of our mom. She was a beauty. She'd been a model. She dated actors and hung out with the golden era of Hollywood's movie stars.
This was mom on her 90th birthday...
This was her just this past Saturday at her 100th bday party...
I'll dig out some glamor shots later.
ancianita
(38,786 posts)Since I lost my mother (right after 9/11) I've learned that you'll always carry the best of her with you. And there's some peace in that. Hold those you love close, share memories of her and make so many more.
Quakerfriend
(5,660 posts)So sorry for your loss but, sounds as though
you all gave her a very peaceful transition.
All six of us were able to be there with our mom when she passed over. I know that youll always be thankful that you could all be together then.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)Being together there was so important. Baby brother sent out the bat signal and we came. And as you say we'll always be thankful for that.
Evolve Dammit
(18,965 posts)crickets
(26,148 posts)Glad that you were able to be with her in her last moments.
mountain grammy
(27,343 posts)Hospice is amazing.
twodogsbarking
(12,230 posts)paleotn
(19,376 posts)badhair77
(4,645 posts)But what a gift that you could be there and have family with you. I wish you peace.
mia
(8,420 posts)Thank you for sharing your experience of your mother's peaceful passing.
Grumpy Old Guy
(3,576 posts)AltairIV
(676 posts)My deepest condolences for your loss.
sheshe2
(87,879 posts)Love and hugs to you and yours, SSC.💙
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,603 posts)as you recall a wonderful life with gratitude, joy and some tears.
Walk and talk with her every day in your mind, as I often do with my Mom who I lost in the '90s. I'm 76 now and she's still reminding me of my responsibilities!.....
Thank you for sharing.......
1WorldHope
(915 posts)Your mom was beautiful both young and old. She kind of looked like the actress on the Titanic movie. It makes death less scary when you are with someone on hospice. If the right supports are in place. I'm happy for you and your family. ❤️
shenmue
(38,538 posts)lonely bird
(1,933 posts)It was good for you to be there. We said good-bye to my mother-in-law and told her we loved her. She passed 10 minutes after we left the hospital. She was 93.
I lost my mother when she was 58 on Christmas Eve 1983. My brothers and I were there but my sister was on her way from Kentucky.
Christmas has sucked every year since.
Again, peace to you and your family.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)Christmas Eve? That has to be hard.
❤️
area51
(12,169 posts)SleeplessinSoCal
(9,714 posts)Last edited Mon Feb 19, 2024, 12:13 AM - Edit history (1)
When she was 62...
And when she was about 22...
21 I think...