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No one should have to linger on

Well, the inevitable occurred last night at 8:48 PM Pacific Time. Sylvia passed away.

It all started just before Thanksgiving, when I had to call the paramedics for what I thought was a stroke. Miraculously, she made what seemingly was a very quick recovery, and she was able to return home in just over a week. That unfortunately didn't last very long, and she spent the next 3½ months going back and forth between home, the nursing home, and the hospital, each time making what appeared to be a good recovery.

Then a week ago on Monday, just after I had visited with her, and thought she was doing better (I even took her for a short walk earlier in the day), she again had to be rushed to the hospital that same evening, because she had difficulty breathing, and had become unresponsive.

This time was different though, and she never really got any better. She was trying, even sitting up in a chair on Sunday, but I guess that was just too much for her frail body to endure any longer.

It's hard to believe now, that up until this all started, just before Thanksgiving, she was easily getting around the house, making her own breakfast and lunch, feeding the cats, and even playing bridge once a week at the senior center.

We could have insisted on "heroic measures", as the hospital staff referred to them, but that's not what Sylvia wanted, and I don't think it would have been right, even if she hadn't made her wishes known beforehand. No one should be forced to linger on with little or no hope of getting better.

Chloe and Morris will miss you Sylvia, as we all will.
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Becky said…
Both John and I are very saddend for your's and Edie's loss. But you should both know that you not only added time to her life by bringing her into your home (which in today's self centered society is almost unheard of), but you brought joy, as well.
12:41 AM
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