Friday, April 23, 2010

Our Beautiful Mother


Here I sit in Mom's Hospice room for the fifth day.  Let me take you back to last Sunday.  Last Sunday, we got a call that we needed to come immediately, and to contact all family members.  I had just been with Mom over the weekend, as did my sister and nieces.  She wasn't doing real well, but all of her stats were good.  Over the phone came the sweet voice of Mom's nurse saying words that I never wanted to hear, "Honey, your mother is not doing well at all.  She has given up and wants to let go."  This was particularly hard because we had been receiving good reports and making arrangements for her to enter a hospital to wean her from the ventilator.


Mom had been fighting the trach, and didn't want it in anymore.  All night, she tried to rip it from her throat.  As it breathed for her, she fought it by trying to breath herself, and became panicked.  Once the family was together, we met with the doctors.  She was bleeding internally and there was nothing they could do.  They had tried giving her blood but they couldn't keep up with the bleeding.  The hardest task would come that night, when we returned home to our Daddy to give him this news.  Our pastor and his wife came over our house, to be with us while my sister and I, with our husbands, broke this news to our Daddy.  Heartbreaking!!!


Mom has had numerous surgeries and illnesses over the years, and always fought through it!  We knew this was bad, but we had hope she would make it just like she always did.  Unfortunately, this is too grave an issue, so we have been sent to Hospice care which is also within this hospital.  Everyone has been so wonderful to us.  We could not ask for better care here than we have gotten.  Mom's doctors have been on top of everything!  They have been a blessing.


It's hard sitting here, waiting for her to pass, but we know she will be with the Lord soon.   Mom hasn't been able to talk since the trach, but before they heavily sedated her, she could communicate by motions and mouthing words.  Now with the heavy sedation, we haven't been able to communicate with her.  


However, on our second day in Hospice, God gave me the most special gift.  My mom was awake off and on that day and motioned about pain often.  During the afternoon, I was able to have some alone time with her.  She had her eyes open but she wasn't in pain at this time.  Even though she couldn't talk, we had the BEST conversation EVER!  We talked about how she would be walking with Jesus soon, pain free forever!  I told her that because she taught my sister and me about Jesus, we had accepted Him, and we had married men who know and love Jesus, and we have taught our children and they have accepted Jesus.  Everytime I would say something like, "Won't that be wonderful to be together in Heaven!" she gave a happy gasp as she had eye contact with me.  Tears streamed down her face, and she tried her best to smile.  Oh what a special gift HE has given me.  I will hold that moment close to my heart and cherish it forever!
Please continue to pray for us for the difficult days ahead, as we say good-bye to our precious Mother/Grandmother, and my Daddy lets go of his loving wife of 58 years.
Be sure to hug your loved ones and let them know how much you love them.  Cherish each precious moment God gives you with them.


Love and Blessings,
Rebecca

9 comments:

Blondie's Journal said...

Rebecca,

It is so very difficult to keep my emotions in. You are going through exactly what we did with my mother several years ago...just sitting there, waiting for her last heartbeat. I think it is good that you are recording the events and your feelings because when I look back it is all just a blur of commotion and then silence.

I am saying prayers big time for all of you. I hope your mom passes gently and is with Jesus as she so wishes to be.

xoxo
Jane

Unknown said...

Rebecca, my prayers for you and your family. Such consolation on the fact that your mom will be soon in the presence of the Lord. I will pray for the Holy Spirit to give you all the strength that comes from the heart of God. Blessings, Marta.

Vicki said...

Hello, sweet Rebecca,
My prayers are with you and your family tonight. I am glad you have been able to be with your mother and talk about times past. How wonderful to know that when she passes, you all will be together in heaven one of these days. Thinking of you and sending love your way! Vicki

Debby said...

Dear Rebecca,
I will hold you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry to hear this sad news, but happy you are getting to spend precious moments with your dear Mother.
Debby

thasnifty said...

i don't know what to say except we'll be praying for you and your family and ofcourse your mother and father.

blessings
-Karina

wholarmor said...

Must be so difficult. The conversation you had with your mother was so sweet! I'm happy that she will be with Jesus soon!
Prayers for you and your family during this difficult time!

Cottage Rose said...

Dear Rebbecca; The hardest thing is to sit and watch a loved one pass as you are,,, I went through the same thing with my Daddy four yrs ago,,, and now he is with my Mom in Heaven... your story has touched me deeply,,, my Prayers for you and your wonderful family are with you..... God Bless;
Hugs;
Alaura

Nancy said...

Rebecca, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Although this has been so difficult, I'm sure you will treasure the memory of these very special moments. Please take care of you, too.

My Flea Market Style magazine is in my tote at all times and I will always think of your mother and her special daughter who remembered me when I read it. (Yes, I go back over and over the pictures because I find something "new" each time.)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Rebecca, I just happened to see this as I haven't been blogging lately, but I'm so glad I did. My heart aches for you, but like you said, we celebrate with you that your mother has eternal life through the Savior. I have been there with my own mother and father, and Mr. Magpie's sweet dad, too. I know how you feel. It's SO hard to give up the person you love so much, but we will be together with them thanks to Jesus' sacrifice. Hallelujah!

I'm more convinced than ever that the Lord is coming back soon, and even if he were to tarry, life truly is fleeting. It is a blink, and then it's gone. And every day that passes is one step closer to the goal of being in Heaven with those we love and forever with Jesus. What a miracle.

I'm thinking of you and your family and just prayed for all of you. Please know I send my love across the miles.

In Him,

Sheila

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