At Home

Yesterday was a full day of working hard to get mom home. Thankfully the doctors and nurses working with her were on top of things and tried to move the process along as quickly as possible. Once she was home in the afternoon, she had a number of people stop by to visit her (thanks to all of you!) to which she opened her eyes and smiled at each of them. Even though most were for only a quick "hello" because she was so tired, she enjoyed each moment with those she got to see. We are extremely grateful for all the sweet messages we have received for our beautiful mom, and although I haven't been able to get back to everyone to let you all know we've receive them, I've read almost all of them to her at this point. Each chance I get between her bouts of sleep, she lays with her eyes closed as I read and smiles at all the funny memories that are shared. We all know how much she loves to laugh! She's well aware of what is going on and seems to fall asleep more soundly when she hears our voices in the room. After reading a large number of messages to her this morning, I got the chance to talk to her and remind her again, as we keep doing, how much we love her, how we will miss her terribly, but that we will all be okay. Most importantly I keep reminding her that we will take great care of dad. My heart melted and at the same time soared with joy as she told me that she is at peace with all of it. We are all here with her, and my brothers and I will continue to spend the night here at the house. Sometimes I'm not sure what to think of life going on without my mom and me with all these boys but what a blessing they are! They are regularly lifting, shifting, and making her comfortable in the bed we have set up for her in the family room. She has yet to have any pain, and we pray it remains that way. With the help of hospice, we will be fully prepared to give her whatever she needs to keep her comfortable here at home until her last breath when she finally gets to go to her real home. None of us can imagine life without her, but we long for her to be where she is free, and as she would says in her silly, spunky voice, "get out of this bed!" I love her with all my heart but am thrilled for her to be where there is no more cancer and her body is healed and whole again. Feel free to continue sending messages and we will get those to her. I know the blog comments are not always working, but I'm checking email regularly and family and friends that do have our contact info have been and will continue forwarding them to me. Thanks so much for helping us surround her with love. She has loved us all so well.