My Mum Passed Away

After being diagnosed with advanced cancer in January, my Mum sadly passed away on Monday 29th February at 9.15pm

I had been caring for her full time since early December as her health had deteriorated. She went into hospital on 21st December where she stayed for a month. Her cancer was diagnosed during this stay in hospital.
Once back at home, she was under the care of MacMillan then Marie Curie, as well as the oncology team in hospital.
She was too frail to be considered for chemotherapy, so all we could do was keep her as comfortable as possible.
She had wanted to stay at home rather than go into hospital or a hospice, so we had the support we needed to fulfill her wish.
She passed away peacefully and pain free...the district nurse was here with us and had given her a morphine injection, anti sickness injection and a sedative to help her to sleep.
While we were tucking her up in bed, she was trying to say something but couldn't get the words out. I stayed by her side, holding her hand and comforting and reassuring her. Her breathing was becoming weaker.
She took her very last breath with my sister and I at her side and the district nurse stayed with us too.
After she hadn't taken a breath for over a minute, the district nurse checked for a pulse but couldn't find anything. She then called for a doctor to come out to verify Mum's death.
Although I have cried a few times since, it hasn't really hit me yet. I know that will happen at some point though. I suppose it is because I'm dealing with the arrangements and everything else I need to do.

On Mother's Day, this Sunday coming, I am going to plant out the tray of primroses that I bought for my Mum's birthday on 10th February.
My front garden will now be a memorial garden for my Mum.

 

My most sincere condolences to you and all who are touched by your Mother's passing
How wonderful that you and your sister were with her; I'm sure that will bring comfort to you both.
The primroses sound like a lovely idea.
Be gentle with yourself; the next weeks will be very busy with much to sort out.

 

Deepest condolences to you and your family.

 

My deepest condolences to you and your family, CreakyJoints.

 

My condolences to you and your family. Your mum's situation sounds very similar to how I lost my husband in July 2014. My love and thoughts go out to you xxxx

 

Thoughts and sympathies go out to you and your family. Take care of yourself throughout this tough time. Your garden will look beautiful for your mam but don't pressurise yourself to do it on whats going to be a difficult day xx

 

My condolences to you and your family. Please try to take comfort from the fact that you Mum had her loved ones around her at the end and didn't pass alone.

 

In my prayers God bless
​

 

Dear @CreakyJoints,

I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your mum.

She was a very lucky lady to have both you & your sister with her at the end.

She was obviously a very lovely lady & had past this strength into you. What a wonderful person you are to have looked after your mum throughout her illness, from experience in the weeks & months to come all the care you gave her will give you great comfort.

Please please look after yourself, give yourself time to grieve, to cry or even shout, you will deal with this in your own way.

Treasure all the lovely memories you have.

You know where we are should you need us.

Much love & sympathy to you, your sister & all around you.

Xx

 

My condolences to you and your family at this sad time.

 

so sorry for your loss. thinking of you and your family at this time. many people are with you at this sad time. god bless wrinkly 1 and family.

 

Dear @CreakyJoints

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mum, my thoughts and prayers are with you, your sister and family at this very sad time.

I am sure that your Mum will have been so comforted knowing that you and your sister where there holding her hand on her journey.

May wonderful memories help to give you strength and should you need comfort we are all here to give you a big hug

 

Thank you all.
Planting my Mum's primroses is something that I want to do, so although it will be hard, I'll do it even if I cry while planting them. I told my Mum that I'd plant them for her on Mother's Day while I was comforting her in the moments before she passed away.
It hasn't really hit me properly yet, although I know it will at some point.

On Saturday 27th Feb, I had received a phone call asking if I could foster an 8 month old Staffie pup who urgently needed a safe place to go to. I agreed and Maya was brought to me by a volunteer from the rescue.
Over the short space of time that Maya knew my Mum, she spent a lot of time just sitting or lying at my Mum's feet. It was as if she knew my Mum needed to be protected.
Because of the way this pup was with my Mum, despite her own troubles, I decided to ask the rescue if I could formally adopt Maya.
I am just waiting for the adoption paperwork to come through now, but everyone involved with the rescue is delighted that Maya will be staying here with me.

Maya is cheeky, boisterous and very playful, but she is also very gentle and loving. She is very fearful in certain situations (she has been hit, possibly with her harness and'or lead, and she was kept confined to a dog crate for a lot of the time). She is also behind in her mental age so has to be treated like a much younger puppy. She can be destructive if she wants attention and is also showing signs of separation anxiety.

BUT, my Mum really liked her and Maya really liked my Mum. So, although things are hard for me just now, I have this bundle of fun to keep me busy.

My other dog, Missy (12 yr old Staffie), has gone to stay with my sister to give Maya time to settle in and have some one to one training.

This is Maya, lying at my Mum's feet on Monday afternoon.