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I guess it is true...

I guess people can mourn themselves to death. My father passed away back in November just after Thanksgiving (as most people know from my post then)...my Mother passed last night only roughly two months after my dad. Mom just gave up, she had dementia and dad was her main guide, help, and support. After he passed she was just lost, she stopped eating, stopped taking her medications, and we did all we could do but in the end it overtook her. She had severe medical issues and infection because of it that damaged her liver and gall bladder (among other complications). They did emergency gall bladder surgery yesterday, but she never recovered because it was just too late (they didn't even think she'd survive the surgery but she did). Last night I got the call...she had instructions not to resuscitate...she and dad both did, but because of her dementia my brother and I were allowed to over ride that decision to have her on life support. We decided to just follow her wishes and let her go. I have never in my life ever had to make a decision as to whether someone lives or dies before. I know we decided the right thing because when they turned off the equipment she was already gone, but it still feels surreal to me.
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Wraithorn · 51-55, M
Wow, that is quite intense. None of us could know what that feels like unless we also experience it. I'm guessing that I would have decided the same thing for her own good.
indyjoe · 56-60, M
@Wraithorn Of course she was already gone but we didn't know that for sure at the time...so it is the strangest feeling to think I had her life in my hands and had to decide whether she lived or died. I definitely wouldn't want to be faced with that choice again.
Wraithorn · 51-55, M
@indyjoe I can only imagine. It must have been extremely surreal. That's the kind of purely adult experience that adds to your character in a big way. Even if you are not religious that kind of thing would surely cause one to contemplate spirituality and all kinds of philosophical things. It's one of those times in life when one reaches a fork in the path and one's mind has no choice but to choose the left or the right path because going back is not an option.

Namaste.
indyjoe · 56-60, M
@Wraithorn Those are things I have contemplated often before, but only through observation of others and not first-hand experience.