Thursday, July 15, 2021

Right at Home

 


In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you. ~John 14:2

What a long and arduous journey this has been for our family as we've strived over the last several weeks to secure a place for Mom where she can heal, and recover from her fall.  Our overarching hope is to eventually be able to bring her back to her house, assisted by round-the-clock care.

When Mom is discharged from the hospital, the assisted living home where we'd signed her up won't take her back due to the bed sores having gotten worse.  Once again, Danny and I are scrambling to find an interim place that will meet her needs.  Fortunately, we locate one close to Mom's home in Oxford and for a while, she seems to be holding her own and even improving with the attentive care she is getting.

This move makes us even more determined, though, to bring her back to her house.  We jump through countless hoops to make arrangements for the company, Right as Home, to do the job.  Both Danny and I are so impressed with their competence, their solid connections with medical PT and wound care teams, and medical supply companies.  The date is set to bring Mom home to the house a week ago Friday.

I visit with Mom at the rehab place the day before.  She doesn't seem to be herself.  I hold her hand and repeatedly tell her that she will be coming home tomorrow, that she'll finally see her house again.  She nods as if she understands, but even then, I'm not sure she does, at least not fully.  After all, this poor woman has gone from pillar to post over these last weeks.  I'd be confused, too.

Then, the unthinkable happens.  Mom is rushed back to the hospital that Thursday evening in breathing distress.  Once again, ICU places on bipap on her to help her lungs function.  But when the doctor and nurses remove it in the morning so she can eat, her oxygen plummets so fast, they have no choice but to put it right back on her.

The doctor calls me.  He is compassionate, but realistic about the situation.  It's obvious that Mom cannot be off a bipap.  Her status is DNR (Do Not Resuscitate).  It's decide to make her as comfortable as possible, and leave it all in God's hands.

Mom passes peacefully on Monday, July 12, just weeks shy of what would have been her 93rd birthday.

We're all grieving, as you can imagine, but we take comfort in knowing that she's with the Lord.

Mom is finally right at home.

Amen.

46 comments:

  1. Oh dear Martha.. so sad for you all, sending giant loving prayer hugs from Downunder .. God gets it and it was His time for darling mum to pass over to her Forever home.. praise His glorious Name above all names.
    "As for God His way is PERFECT."
    "He maketh my way PERFECT."
    " He will PERFECT that which concerneth you."
    Thanks for sharing, and may God bless, comfort you all in this time. My mum and dad are in heaven waiting too.
    Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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    1. Thank you, Shaz, for your heartfelt condolences at this time. Yes, Mom is in her forever home, and we can rest in that knowledge.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. I am so sorry to hear about your Mom passing away. Please accept my sincerest condolences and prayers.

    God bless.

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    1. Thank you, Victor. Knowing you have been praying for us has been such a comfort.
      Love and blessings!

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  3. Martha. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. We'll be praying for you and your family.

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    1. The continued prayers are so appreciated, Glynn, as we all can use them. Thank you!
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Holding you and your dear family up to the Comforter of our souls, the Holy One who numbers our days. You have loved well, dear friend.
    xo

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    1. Oh, I pray I have loved well in Mom's last days, Linda. Looking back, I know we did everything humanly possible for her, but it was her time to go home to the Lord.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Finally at home. can any better words be said? Sorry for you but happy for her. Maybe my mother, who did not know a stranger here on earth, greeted her and said, "Hi! My name is Betty Lou. Welcome home." Who knows? But I can dream. :) Blessings and peace to you and Danny and your brother,

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    1. Wouldn't that be something, Bill? You put a smile on my face just imagining that, and a smile is just what is needed right now.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. I'm so sorry Martha, my deepest condolences to you and your family.

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    1. Thank you, Martha, for your condolences.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. Oh Martha, what a bitter pill! I know this wasn't the outcome you and Danny had hoped for; but I'm comforted knowing you're at peace with God's will. Facing life without the presence of the person who first loved us may be difficult at first. Please know, we're holding you up in our prayers.

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    1. Thanks so much for your prayers, Myra. Yes, Mom will be missed, but we know she's in the arms of Jesus.
      Love and blessings!

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  8. Dearest Martha Jane,
    So very sorry to read this ending of a very hectic summer in regard to caring for your ailing Mom.
    She lived a good life till age 93 and it would have been almost impossible for finding the care and attention she'd needed and deserved... while being home.
    You are right about that; she now IS home and no doubt smiling happily down at her loved ones!
    May you, Danny and the children and all loved ones feel strongly embraced by many that appreciate and love you.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Thank you, Mariette, for you kind and comforting words at this time. I do pray that Mom is absolutely healed in heaven, reuniting with my Dad and others she loved, and simply reveling in God's presence.
      And yes, we do feel the embrace and prayers of so many caring people like you.
      Love and blessings!

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    2. And know that our souls never die! She is watching over her loved ones like she did during her best years... One more Angel you know by name! 💞

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    3. One more angel . . . what a great thought, Mariette!
      Blessings!

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  9. I too am SO sorry the outcome after your mother's fall was not what we'd all hoped and prayed for. May you sense God's comforting arms around you as you grieve yet celebrate the wonderful person she was and the many lives she impacted over the years. May the blessings shine a little brighter in the coming weeks, providing balm to your pain.

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    1. Thank you, Nancy, for your words of comfort and encouragement. By the way, my Mom's name was Nancy! We will celebrate her life as we remember all the good times in the weeks to come. And I do feel God's presence as we embark on this new journey without her being here.
      Love and blessings!

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  10. ooo Martha, I am so sorry and wish I could just sit and listen and hug you. Be assured lots of prayers and love are holding you up during this rough time.

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    1. Thank you, Jean. Yes, I would love to be able to just sit with you and share some hugs right now, but I do feel the love and care from dear friends like you.
      Love and blessings!

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  11. Praying for your family's peace and comfort sweet friend. We know we'll see your mama again, but the grief must last for a season ma'am. I'll be praying you through it ma'am.

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    1. Yes, J. D., I'm well acquainted with the seasons of grief, having lost my grandparents, a husband (many years ago), my Dad, and now my Mom. As God tells us, there is a time for everything under heaven. Thank you so much for your continued prayers.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. I have been praying for your family, Martha. I am so very sad and sorry for the loss of your dear mother. Praising God for His grace and mercy. Feel the love being sent your way, dear friend. Prayers continue.

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    1. I am feeling your love and prayers, Terri, and you know I'm still praying for you, too, and for Helen. This has been an exhausting journey, but now that it's come to close, I know God will help us take the necessary steps going forward. I'm placing my trust in Him.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. My dear Martha, You have been in my thoughts and prayers so much these past days and weeks. I know this has been a very hard journey, both for you and for your mother. But now she is finally "home", completely at rest, and rejoicing in the presence Of Jesus and her loved ones who had gone on before. You will miss her for sure, oh how I know how much having been on this journey before with my dear mother and father. But I know you wouldn't want her back in this old world again. For her, she is in the much better place. You will see her again someday. Until then, cherish her memory. May the Lord comfort and keep you always.

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    1. Thank you, Pamela, for your kind and comforting words. I do take so much comfort in knowing Mom is in a better place. Seeing her lack of progress and recovery over the past several weeks convinced all of us that the Lord was preparing her for her eternal home. We can give thanks for her life, so well lived, and for the length of years God saw fit to give her.
      Love and blessings!

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  14. OH, Martha, praying your sweet memories soothe you as you grieve. I am praying for you and yours as you remember your dear mother. We never forget--they always are in our hearts.
    Bless You, Dear Friend.

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    1. Yes, Lulu, our parents are always in our hearts and will never be forgotten. Thanks so very much for your prayers.
      Love and blessings!

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  15. Oh, Martha. I'm so sorry to hear your mom passed away. Yet, grateful she is now right at home with her Creator. Praying for you and your family as you walk through this new season and time of grief.

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    1. Thank you, Karen. Yes, it seems as though losing Mom has opened the door to all kinds of plans and legalities, which will take lots of our time and energy. Just so blessed that my brother has stepped forward and taken care of so much of it. We will meet up this coming week to make things even more definitive.
      Yes, the grieving continues, and your prayers are most appreciated.
      Love and blessings!

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  16. Awww... :-(
    Sad for your and your family, Martha, but happy for your mother. She's in the best place of all.

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    1. Yes, she is, Frank. We will miss her, of course, but knowing she's in heaven helps us.
      Love and blessings!

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  17. What a tough experience you've had with your dear mother's health. You truly did all you could to make her comfortable. I am sorry for your loss. May the Lord's peace envelope you and your family deeply.

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    1. Thanks so much, Barbara. Yes, it's been a tough journey, but a necessary one. Thanks for your prayers!
      Love and blessings!

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  18. Much sympathy with you: 12 July was the date when the Lord took my own mother (in 2013). I wrote here: https://dcbverse.blogspot.com/2013/07/mother_19.html :it may be that there will be some comfort in it for you too.

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    1. I can't believe our mothers passed on the same day, David, just years apart. Yes, I will definitely check out your blog about it. Thanks so much for sharing and caring!
      Love and blessings!

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  19. I am so sorry for your loss, but at the same time I am glad you write so positive about your mom, you must have many good memories. May the Holy Spirit be your comforter in the time to come.

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    1. Thank you, Marja. And yes, there are plenty of good memories that will linger on.
      Love and blessings!

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  20. Oh Martha....my heartfelt prayers of comfort are being sent to you. May your steadfast Faith bring you comfort in your time of grief and may wonderful memories sustain you. With Deepest Sympathy.

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    1. Thanks for your prayers and words of comfort Pam. They are much appreciated as we navigate these uncharted waters.
      Love and blessings!

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  21. Martha, I am so sorry to read of your unexpected loss of your mother. So thankful that you had made the effort to bring her back home, even though that was not what the Lord had planned for her, He brought her home to Him. Praying for the Lord to help you navigate these dark and difficult days with all the things that are necessary afterwards. My heart hurts for you, and I will be praying for you!

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  22. Oh, no! I've been behind on my blog reading and didn't know of your mother's passing. I'm so sorry, Martha. I know you're glad she's no longer in a state of confusion or pain, but it's still always hard to lose our mothers. My prayers are with you all.

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