My heart goes out to you my darling, because I have been where you are now. Only my mum died from cancer and was 10 years younger than your mum. Your mum is still far too young!!
We were pretty much in denial when mum was in her final days. I was still working FT when a family friend who had been her carer rang me and told me that I needed to be with her. I came out of work a mere week before she died, and that's a regret I will always carry.
Do you have children, and will they have a chance to say goodbye? My children were 9, 7 and 2. We brought the elder two to say goodbye on what turned out to be 2 days before she died, and she knew they were there because a tear rolled out from both eyes - I'm crying now too because it was the saddest moment ever of my life.
Be guided by your instinct. The nurses were turning mum and moistening her mouth etc, so we had gone to the canteen, but neither my sister or I felt like eating. I suddenly had a feeling, and said to her that we should go back.
When we got back, it was obvious she was dying. We called a nurse in a panic, and she said that the end was very near, which it was.
I hope this isn't adding to your pain, just trying to explain how it can be.
The syringe driver will ensure she's not in pain. My mum had it too.
Unfortunately you never will know what a week may bring. My mum got her terminal diagnosis, and my dad died in his sleep 9 days later. She survived him by 5 months.
Just tell her everything that you want her to know. They say hearing is the last thing to go, and I know my mum heard my children 2 days before she died, from her reaction, although she couldn't communicate in any way.
Sending love xx