Day by Day

i have been caring for my 85 year old mother for 10 years now. Two and a half years ago she developed cancer on one of her vocal chords which was treated by radiation. after treatment was complete she went for check up and they found cancer in one of her lungs which they also treated with radiation. After that treatment was complete that did a CT scan and found cancer in her pancreas. They gave her chemo to slow the cancer down. That treatment was complete by end of summer last year. There have been several trips to ER whereas she was admitted. Towards the latter part of February she noticed lumps on one side of her throat. Scheduled appointment with ENT doctor, had biopsy done and was told it is cancer and she would need to have surgery. Went to see surgeon who stated she would not survive the surgery. Mom now in hospice care in my home. Last weekend she was walking and eating. She hasn’t eaten or walked since that time. As of today I have been asked to give her morphine every two hours to keep her pain free. I know what this means as I lost my father 31 years ago to cancer and he also was cared for by my wonderful step mother until the end. I believe my mom maybe has a week left if that. This is really hard but when we see our loved ones suffering our Only hope and wish is to relieve there suffering. We want them to be at peace. Mom knows she’s dying. She is mostly incoherent. By morning I do not believe she will wake up again. This is really hard for me but she told me she would just like to die in her sleep. 

I also have a husband who was diagnosed with rectal cancer August last year. He had chemo then surgery to have his rectum removed January this year. Currently going through mop up chemo with temporary ileostomy with surgery scheduled for August to hook him back up and remove ileostomy. He has a long road ahead of him. 

We are truly resilient individuals. 

Kate