Still a long way to Tipperary, but the addition of fleshtone to the faces makes 'em come alive just a bit more, eh?
A difficult day here at Stollen Central, but an hour or so in the painting chair early during the afternoon kept my mind off things for a little while.
Ol' Mom decided this morning to share the results of a scan she had last week, and the results are not good if you'll excuse my oversharing. Basically, cancer throughout her body, and from what she related, it sounds we are looking at palliative care sooner rather than later. She does not want to go through radiation and/or chemo therapy given the extent of her illness at this point.
A life-long smoker, Mom had a small stroke about a year and a half ago and came back after almost 20 years in Mexico to her house in North Carolina to see specialists in Raleigh-Durham. She has been actually pretty good since then, but she, my sister, and I visited her attorney in March of last year, where she drew up a living will and gave us power of attorney should anything happen subsequently. Strict orders not to resuscitate, and we have been told not to call if we are going to be maudlin. That's not what she wants. Mom is a tough old gal, but she said it is hard enough to keep herself together right now without all of us going to pieces around her.
So, we wait until she meets with her doctor this week to discuss a few final points. My step-father is there handling things, making sure Mom is comfortable at home, and has what she needs. She has her dogs around her, including her yellow lab Miss Daisy, and can watch the golfers play through on Pinehurst Course #3 about 50 yards from the house as she surfs on her iPad and keeps up with the news such as it is these days.
Mom has exchanged a couple of e-mails with me today, and I spoke with her yesterday before the bad news, and she sounds like she always has. However, all of this is, needless to say, extremely difficult. My mother has always lived her life according to her own principles and standards, and I suppose she will continue doing so until the very end.
What a day it has been.
-- Stokes
Comments
Jim
I am sorry to hear about your mum but she does sound like a special woman. Enjoy the time you have with her.
Marvin
And, as we all know, we have to obey mothers' orders, so no being maudlin! Take good care. Phil
My father was not the most tactile of people and was hugely embarrassed when my brother always said he was not hugged enough as a child and would insist on giving him a bear hug in every public social situation. Of course we all cheered him on.
When he popped his clogs a couple of years ago it was all v quick. He was in his mid 80's and still living independently and enjoying a couple of glasses of red wine a day but he was going downhill. He went out for a short walk with his dog, fell over was taken to hospital, fell asleep and died 3 days later. It was a shock/surprise to us all but not a bad way to go. I still miss him greatly. Conversely Lindsay's dad who was always super fit, eat well, looked after himself etc unfortunately had cancer and fought it for ages and this caused huge upset for the family.
I suppose my view is that so long as they are not suffering and in pain, your mother's instructions are spot on.
Regards,
Guy
I'm so sorry to hear that.
Evan.