...but have to, four sake of dcs. Mum had had a failing heart condition for several years so I have watched her deteriorate for a long time now - just a gradual reduction in normal living, punctuated by the odd crisis. I thought I was doing ok tbh . Six weeks ago she went into a cardiac unit for drug management and came out with untreated cellulitis - I had her moved into a wonderful nursing home for respite care, and for 4 weeks she was doing really well, back to doing crosswords and eating again. Then the cellulitis turned into an arterial ulcer and the pain was agonising. She has been in terrible pain for the last fortnight despite drugs and I knew she was losing the battle. In addition the Gp thought she was showing signs of stomach cancer or bladder cancer but she was too weak to investigate. She deteriorated really fast over the last few days and I spent last night in her room, watching as she sat upright fighting the terrible pain and retching, losing all sense of dignity, she was fretful, stroppy, scared and just so, so ill. . I didn't sit and hold her hand and I so wish I had; instead I kept trying to make her more comfortable and deal with her which I think was wrong. I didn't use the time to tell her how I loved her, I just concentrated on trying to stop her falling over or off the bed, and I think I made things worse . It reminded me of how, in late stage labour you just go into yourself and the pain and get angry with everyone around.
Finally she got cross because I couldn't understand she wanted something, made a superhuman effort to rise from her chair and turn, and fell. I caught her before she hit the furniture and heard her death rattle. After the nurses came in and laid her out I sat with her until the dawn rose and watched her change from my mother to a corpse if that makes sense.
I can't sleep, I can't forget how she was in her final hours and I can't shake this horror that I didn't do what I should. Why didn't I hold her hand? I knew she was dying, I didn't want her to be alone, but I never knew that death was like this. Does anyone out there know what I am feeling and can share helpful thoughts? Please? Sorry this was long and tmi.....
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Bereavement
Mummy died this morning - not coping atm at all
39 replies
SalVolatile · 31/05/2009 21:13
OP posts:
herbietea ·
31/05/2009 21:40
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