Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

My mother is dying

(69 Posts)
LaCrepescule Sun 30-Jul-23 15:00:22

My 92 year old mother has just had a massive stroke and the outlook isn’t good. I know it’s inevitable but you’re never prepared are you? We had quite a difficult relationship but I’ve stayed close and can’t imagine life without her. I know I’m very lucky to have had her this long but I just feel numb. Any tips on how to cope would be much appreciated.

Philippa111 Sun 06-Aug-23 13:25:07

Can you get in touch with Cruse, which is set up to help people get through in your situation. There is also a Carers association.

I know its not any help but your Mother has had a long life and a lot longer than many.

And yes you need to go through the letting go process... we all have to do this at some point. It's a painful process and grieving can affect different people in different ways. Just keep reaching out and saying and expressing how you are feeling... try not to bottle things up.

It does get easier with time but I know that is difficult to imagine when you are right in the middle of it .

Sending you big hugs.

Summerfly Sun 06-Aug-23 13:25:32

Lovely helpful post GrandtanteJE65

crazyH Sun 06-Aug-23 13:35:44

I lost my Mum 30 years ago and I still miss her 💔

Serendipity22 Sun 06-Aug-23 13:57:20

Thoughts with you LaCrepescule flowers

LaCrepescule Wed 09-Aug-23 06:16:00

Awake early, thinking about mum. I’ve come back here and continue to find great comfort in all your lovely posts. ❤️

Hetty58 Wed 09-Aug-23 06:41:01

LaCrepescule, just take each day as it comes - and make sure that you look after yourself really well. Losing someone close is always a big shock to the system, whatever their age.

Have the doctors told you that she's 'end of life' and are there plans in place for her care?

Chocolatelovinggran Wed 09-Aug-23 07:36:56

Don't forget to eat well, take a walk in the sunshine or enjoy a warm bath with bubbles. Please take care of yourself as it will give you strength for the days to come. Sending you a virtual hug.

Lovetopaint037 Wed 09-Aug-23 10:33:36

LaCrepescule

I went to see her today. She’s bed-bound and paralysed on the left side. Can hardly talk but recognises her loved ones.Is it tine to let her go? She’s suffering and I hate it. The clinicians are great but lack understanding xx

Of course you feel like this and you are right now is the time to let her go. I felt like that when my parents died, both were suffering and when it happened I felt a mixture of enormous loss but also relief. I was on a train a couple of weeks or so later and I started to cry and I couldn’t stop. Passengers were looking at me so tried not to wipe my eyes and I was grateful they didn’t ask me if I was alright. That was 17 years ago and as I write this the tears are again streaming. The Queen was right when she said that grief was the price we pay for love.

maddyone Wed 09-Aug-23 10:44:02

Just sending you a virtual hug ❤️

OurKid1 Wed 09-Aug-23 10:56:33

Thinking of you. It's not going to be easy, but I'd say to continue to do what you are doing. Don't forget to be kind to yourself though, will you? Take some time out for a walk/coffee, just looking at nature, listening to birds - whatever helps. From experience, when it does happen you do get through - there's arrangements to be made, people to inform etc., etc. Again, take time for yourself during that period. xx

OurKid1 Wed 09-Aug-23 10:59:07

eddiecat78

Just to say my MIL was in this situation 9 months ago. She's still here!

My 99 year old friend has been in that situation too - several times over the past few years. She's still here.

LaCrepescule Wed 09-Aug-23 15:03:27

Ah, thank you again. Yes am trying to eat and sleep well and being in nature is a wonderful balm. Hetty, they haven’t said she’s EoL yet but we’re waiting for the consultant to come back from holiday and they’ll have a meeting with us then.

shoppinggirl Wed 09-Aug-23 15:07:46

flowers Thinking of you x

Dinahmo Wed 09-Aug-23 15:22:51

My father died of cancer aged 55. To all intents and purchases I started to lose my mother at that age as she was diagnosed with pre senile dementia and later with Alzheimers.

I was in my 30s at the time and often felt envious of women my age having a day out with their mums.

My mother lived for a few years in a care home, which was very good. One day I was phoned and told that she had pneumonia and wouldn't last very long. My sister and I sat by her bedside for a week talking to her and each other about our lives. She died a week later. As I left the care home I felt a great weight being lifted from me. It was strange because it was not something that I was thinking.

It is time to start letting go and, if you can cope with it, to spend time with her and talk to her. She many not be able to respond but she will hear you.

Hetty58 Wed 09-Aug-23 15:23:08

LaCrepescule, a stay in an acute stroke ward can be just seven to ten days - so I'm wondering what follows. Maybe she'll transfer to a general ward or even be discharged with a care plan in place.

If she does rally round and improve, she's entitled to six weeks of 'free 'reablement care' either in hospital, at home or in a care home. Do bear that in mind and stay strong.

LaCrepescule Wed 09-Aug-23 15:29:07

How sad for you Dinahmo but you’d mother’s ending sounds very peaceful. Hetty, she has been moved to a general ward and the info about reablemeng care is most helpful.

Sielha Mon 14-Aug-23 22:56:35

Ah bless, you’re doing all the right things but there’s no easy path. Talking about it helps and maybe just go with the sadness and grief you feel at the moment. You know you will eventually come to terms with it but you need to go through this now. Take care x

LaCrepescule Tue 15-Aug-23 22:37:11

Thank you Sielha 🙏