Shutting Down

In the last day or so, I don’t think Mom has eaten more than a few spoonfuls of food. She rarely will take a drink. I think this is because she is afraid she will choke and she is just not very hungry.

She rarely wants to get out of bed now and can only do so if I lift her into her roll-a-tor and wheel her into the living room. Other than when she uses profanity (which is getting rarer and rarer), it’s nearly impossible to understand anything she says. She spends a lot of time talking unintelligibly and occasionally dozing off. If you respond to her chattering, she doesn’t appear to hear or understand what you are saying.

The last day or so, she has been opening her eyes wide and staring up toward the ceiling. This is often accompanied by reaching up with both hands. It’s funny. Normally, her eyes appear cloudy and unfocused. When she does this, her eyes appear clear and it looks like she is looking at something specific.

My cousin Richard stopped by this afternoon and Mom held his hand in both of hers, rubbing his hand and arm affectionately. After he told her he loved her as he was leaving, she said she loved him too. Richard was one of the last people Mom seemed to recognize whenever he came over or when, during her better days, we went over there. I am so blessed to have such a close and loving family. Those who cannot be here have been keeping in touch and letting me know they are praying for us.

My brother Jeff and sister-in-law Kathy are arriving tomorrow. It will be comforting to have someone else here, since it looks like Mom’s body is shutting down and her journey to heaven will be soon.

Until next time…