Along with many others, I extend my heartfelt, deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time in your life.
Sincerely,
Wildcard
My sympathies also.
Good luck.
Prayers are with tou Stanford.
K-O Joe
I first posted this yesterday on our Non-gambling green-chip board. I'll repost it here in case anybody here ever has to make a decision regarding use of heroic procedures to extend the life of an elderly person who has accepted and welcomes death.
I lost my Mom this morning. She was 81.
I lost my Dad almost exactly six years ago. He and Mom had been married for 54 years. Life seemed empty to Mom after Dad passed away. Several times she stated that she wanted to join him. Every time she would tell me that, I'd answer with a chuckle: "Sorry Mom. You are too healthy to die." And she was too healthy to die; her heart was strong and she had no cancer that she new of.
Two months ago Mom saw a doctor about her left foot; she had sores that would not heal. Her doctor said the problem was poor circulation, and advised amputation lest gangrene set in. Mom decided to keep her foot and let gangrene kill her. Her exact words: "My foot is telling me it's time to go." We tried to talk her into amputation, but allowed her to have her way. We gave her whatever relief she needed to handle the pain. Gangrene set in on both feet. The pain was bad; she needed morphine the last few days. The gangrene killed her this morning.
We allowed Mom to control her own fate, and we did as she wished. We could have had her feet amputated against her will and she might have lived a few more years, but that's not what she wanted and so that's not what we did.
I was very sad whenever I lost a friend during the Vietnam War -- and I lost a lot of friends aged 19 to 24. Those friends lost their lives violently, and way too early. Losing them was a tragedy. But losing someone who had 81 years -- that's not a tragedy. Having 81 years is something to be thankful for. Nobody escapes death. Living a long time and then dying when you are ready to go and want to go is the best you can hope for. I am feeling a little sad today, but not much. Losing friends in Vietnam hit me a lot harder.
Bye Mom. Rest in peace.
nt
My deepest sympathies, Stanford. Your mother sounded like abrave and confident woman who really knew what she wanted to do. BRAVO, Mrs. wong.
