Hospice is amazing

This morning we have been reflecting on the difference between when dad passed away 16 years ago and now as mom is preparing.  I don't know if it was the regiment of medicine or if I just wasn't involved in the management but I think Hospice had gotten this process down to ... as dad would say "down to the brass tacks".  They know how much of what med and what combination to give and the people....In our case Laura and Shannon are just the nicest, sweetest and most professional medical people you coud imagine.  Dad's last day was a day of thrashing, pain and discomfort and I can remember practically wrestling with him for 8 hours straight before he passed away.  In Mom's case she is comfortable without being "drugged" and is able to communicate with us.

 This morning she has had some very lucid moments and the theme of her discussions have been if each of us is ok.  She's asked every one of us if we've gotten a good night sleep and worried about Carrie's back, asking if it is feeling better.  She has woken up and talked to each one of us as we sat with her in her room.  She loves the flavored ice chips we have started using instead of trying to have her drink through a straw.  And Laura brought some little soaker sticks that we were able to dip in her coffee and have her suck off the little sponge on the end of the stick.

She asked Doug if this was real and if she is dying and he reassured her that she is but are here to take care of her.  She also said that soon she will be "off to the wild blue yonder".  She even told Katy that she thought she would be gone "lickity split".  All great Bonnieisms that we will forever remember.

Thanks to all who have commented on this blog and via email - we read them all to her.  Also, thanks for all of the memories.