Mary continues to breath and her heart beats. Otherwise, she is in a coma like state with no acknowledgement of the world around her and virtually no reaction to stimulation--touch, cold, hot whatever. Her breathing is labored but not inconsistent with her situation. Today's nurse just checked in and said it is as if she is in a very deep sleep. But we know it is more than a sleep, it is soon the end.
She spent a quiet night last night because the drugs are keeping her comfortable.
If there was one thing Mary never wanted was to linger by being kept artificially alive by our latest medical technologies. And, Stanford has done a great job following her advanced directive that clearly states that intention. For me, these last couple of days have been extremely difficult as Mary's own body continues to linger without medical technology assistance long after her cognitive functions have quit. And, long after the projections from the various doctors. Mary continues to surprise us, even as she dies.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
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1 comment:
Pat, thank you for allowing us to be close to both you and Mary at this difficult time. Your love for, and devotion to, your beloved Mary is deeply inspiring to me.
Mary has lived a very full and caring life. She has enriched the lives all she has encountered, and that is her lasting legacy. In the end, who can ask for any more than that?
She may be leaving us much earlier than we might want, but her courage and dignity in leaving makes us all stronger and better people.
For that I thank you, Mary.
TR
April 9, 2010
Majuro, Marshall Islands
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