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Friday, November 12, 2010

The Time Draws Nigh

UPDATE: Eleanor passed away at 6:18pm Pacific Time tonight Friday November 12, 2010. Finally, at peace.


The time draws nigh for my Mother in Law. She lived in her brand new assisted living facility for around six weeks. And struggled the entire time. Last Saturday, we were packing and prepping for our week-long vacation with my family in Boise. We stopped by to see her and, clearly, things were not well. The nurse was with her and had already arranged for her to be moved immediately to a nursing facility to receive medical care that could not be provided at the assisted living home. That was a week ago tomorrow. The first few days were filled with anger, yelling out, calling 9-1-1- from the nursing home bed, and threatening to walk out of the place. The folks at Providence Elder Place in Portland have been nothing short of amazing and responsive. They have arranged for an overnight care person to sit with her. She hasn't eaten in five days. Her veins have collapsed and they are unable to get an IV into her arm for nutrition or medication. As of today, she is incoherent and at peace.

It is difficult, to say the least, to have thoughts of pending death of one's mother in law knowing all of the trouble she has caused us over the years. The woven pattern of each of our lives is made up of so many things. Life, and death, stir up a long list of thought patterns. Tomorrow we drive from Boise back home to Portland. We're hoping we get there in time.

16 comments:

LSL said...

Oh, Lewis. There are no good words to say. I'm sorry for this really, really difficult situation. I'll say a prayer for everyone involved. xo

Unknown said...

My heart goes out to you and Blair and all who are touched by these painful end of life events. It was the beginning of this year that my father in law was nearing the end of his life. The end is never easy. It almost seems there are as many labor pains in the leaving of this earth as there were in the coming into this world.
Love to you all.
Wendy

Stacey said...

I'll be thinking of you all.

Greg said...

My thoughts are with you and Blair. ((((HUGS))))

Jim said...

I am so sorry to hear this! Will be thinking of you both and your MIL.

Give each other a hug from me and your many friends out here!

{{HUGZ}}

anne marie in philly said...

my sympathies, dear, to you and blair. MIL and FIL are together again and both are at peace.

anne marie in philly said...

my sympathies, dear, to you and blair. MIL and FIL are together again and both are at peace.

Victor said...

My condolences.

wcs said...

Thinking of you both.

Wayne said...

Another chapter of your life ends...and another begins...
Peace for you both.

Lemuel said...

My condolences to Blair and to you.
May good memories overwhelm and grant peace to you.

Anonymous said...

My prayers are with you, too.

FFB

BosGuy said...

Very sorry my friend and my thoughts are w/ you and the BF. No matter what the age or the relationship, I would think losing your mother (or in your case MIL) is emotional to say the least.

Perhaps the two of you can heal and comfort each other.

cb said...

I'm really sorry to hear this. I hope you are doing ok!

Rick Bettencourt said...

I'm sorry to hear.

tornwordo said...

Both good and bad news at the same time. May she live on in your hearts and be at peace. Hugs.