The old lady [see previous post] was admitted to the hospital yesterday, and yes, she has pneumonia. She’s also tried twice to “escape” and almost succeeded last night in ripping the IV out of her arm and making it to the hallway. Urk.
So it’s come to this.
The next step is “chemical restraint,” i.e. sedation, and I think I know what comes next: she either eats or doesn’t, and then they ask us if we want to keep her going. She’s going to “escape,” all right, one way or the other, but I don’t think she’ll be coming home again.
Full circle in Tucson, AZ coming up, maybe. My oh my.
Comment by K.J. Webb
1 August 7, 2008, 1:38 pm o'clock |
I remember meeting your mother once, John. She was very nice to me and seemed genuinely interested in what I was about to do - leave Texas for college in the North. She thought that was a great idea when almost nobody else I knew (including my own parents) did. I thought maybe she had an adventurous streak in her or a streak that wanted to bust out and take off. I don’t doubt any of your depictions of other aspects of her character, just saying I liked her on that long ago occasion. I’m sorry to hear this about her.
Comment by Rebecca
2 August 7, 2008, 3:46 pm o'clock |
Such a complex experience, watching our parents change. The evolution of what is already a complex relationship.
K.J.’s eloquent words on dignity struck a chord with me this morning, hard enough to achieve in living, let alone in dying. I am thinking of you and the myriad and mercurial feelings that will visit you. I do believe that this life is in practice for the next experience, but no matter what you believe, this part is not fun. Here’s hoping that your mother eases into the next phase with as little wreckage as possible. Wishing you both some peace, love and understanding…