Hi everyone.
I haven't shown any photos of my trip to Yellowstone for a few weeks now, so let me share a few today. Today's theme is water.
Update on my Mom: I am writing this post Saturday morning. The MRI showed that she did have a stroke, in fact she's had several as of late. The strokes have caused her to lose her ability to talk and to swallow (among other things), and those abilities will not come back. Friday my brother and I made the tough decision to not give her any food through a feeding tube, which is what she would have wanted. Mom has always made her feelings perfectly clear. Feeding her would not return her quality of life. When I saw her Friday afternoon she was completely unresponsive but sleeping and snoring peacefully, as she was on Thursday when my brother was there. Thankfully I saw her Wednesday when she was still responding to my voice. The medical team agreed with our decision, and Mom will get comfort care, but really now it is a waiting game until she passes.
Just as an FYI, this morning I am writing a few posts because it keeps my head focused, but I can't guarantee that they aren't full of mistakes or that I will be able to reply to them in a timely manner because I am not sure what the next few days, or maybe even the next week, will bring.
Meanwhile I'll be doing some well needed cleaning or splashing some paint around because those are always things that are soothing when my head isn't quite there.
17 comments:
W0nderful pics - I love water!
I am very sorry for your loss.
I have "DIPAT" where I made the same mandatory. In Germany you have to be super-clear, otherwise no one can decide.
Ingo refuses to do that which leaves me helpless for in case.
My Thomas´s girlfriend could move but her left eye for months. Every touch hurt her.
A pain for all who loved her and herself.
I am glad you and your Brother agreed to spare your Mom this.
Big, big hugs, it´s a hard, sad time, I know this. My Mum passed when I was not there. My Brother was with her, it was winter, a long way to drive, dangerous and he told me to stay in Braunschweig, she does not respond anymore.
He called me when Mum left. I was not able to eat but then I got so hungry.
I hope you go through this as good as possible. Believe me, I cry.
I wish you strength. Big hugs...
Your water pictures are amazing capturing all the various moods of weather. So very sorry to hear about your mother, the difficult decisions you had to make, and the waiting. You're a good daughter.
This is almost certainly a redundant and gratuitous comment, Erika, since I don't know you personally, but may I say that I think you made the only decision a person of conscience could make. Life is not just about breathing and excreting and the end comes to all of us. Let it be with dignity and natural, not after a few more days or weeks of being sustained by machines. The extra time would have gained nothing for the patient and at best may have falsely assuaged the conscience of those having to make the choice. Celebrate your mom's life and remember it well, knowing that you did everything right by her. With my profound sympathy and deep respect - David
The photos of Yellowstone are beautiful. Sorry for the difficult decision you had to make for your Mom, I know how hard that is. Sending you BIG hugs, Valerie
Very sorry to hear about your mom, Erika. (((HUG)))
Excellent shots, Erika. The fog, cloud and rain..nature is beautiful.
I loved your collection of water photos in Yellowstone-had never thought about it in this way before-as there are so many different and stunning forms of water there.
So sorry Erika, you made the right but difficult choice-hugs My heart and love go out to you and your family
Hugs Kathy
Oh, that gorgeous scenery!
My heart goes out to you during the time as you and your family deal with your mom's situation. {hug}
Your photos are simply stunning. Thank you for sharing them.
Oh Erika, this is not an easy time for you and I wish you strength. You and your brother made the choice that she would have wanted and thus treat her with respect and dignity. You are in my thoughts.
I was amazed at hoiw many ways water could be defined. It could be stunning to see the photos and read the narrative of your experience with various forms of water at Yellowstone.
Like those before me, I am saddened by the news of your mother. It is good that both you and your brother are on the same page where it comes to her end of life care. If she is unable to swallow and the hospital isn't giving her any fluids, her body is going to shut down very, very soon. A person can go weeks without food, but, as a rule, less than three days without fluids. My heart goes out to you, dear Erika. You and your mother are in my heart and prayers.
Stunning photos
Oh wow.. so magnificent.
So sorry about your mom
So beautiful. I love it.
Erika these are gorgeous photos. I'm keeping you in my prayers. My dad went pretty quick in hospice after they gave him their strong meds, he was ready to go at 92 after his stroke. I pray your mom is able to let go quickly because I do know the limbo you are in. Hugs, xoxo
I am so so sorry to hear about your mother, Erika. Know that I am thinking about you and your brother. Staying busy is a really good idea. I am so glad you shared this beautiful photos with us. I absolutely love them.
Take care,
-Soma
Yellowstone looks amazing, I know I will never see it for myself so these photos are greatly appreciated!
Your mother will have appreciated your closeness to her in her last days. I never had that chance with either of my parents, who both died on the same date four years apart.
Hope you can take some time for yourself, hugs, Chrisx
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