prairiecrow Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 On Sunday June 3rd at 12:25 am, my mother passed away from complications of lung cancer. We will never know exactly what led to her death. Was it the bowel blockage caused by narcotics use (even though the doctors were pretty sure they'd gotten that cleaned out)? Was it chemotherapy, which had an impact on her kidneys and led to their failure? Was it the cancer leapfrogging ahead of us and attacking more of her body's systems? What I do know is that she lived the way she wanted to live -- independently -- almost to the end. She spent one week in hospital while they tried to get her pain under control (with only partial success) before being transferred to Riverview Health Centre's palliative care ward, where she quickly lapsed into a coma and died almost exactly a week later, passing away peacefully between one breath and the next. It was how she wanted to die, in the place where she wanted to be at the end. Insofar as anyone can be satisfied with the outcome of a situation like this, I am content. It was much, much sooner than any of us had anticipated. She had just gotten a "six months or less" diagnosis from her oncologist about three weeks previously. We thought we had more time... it was a terrible shock. The irony of it is, we were planning to get together on May 24th to put together her obituary and go over parts of the family history that she wanted us to know and remember. She went into hospital on May 21st, and was soon so doped up with pain medication that any such conversation would have been impossible. We are immensely grateful to the staff at Riverview, http://www.riverviewhealthcentre.com/index.cfm?pageID=1 who were nothing short of amazing in keeping my mother pain-free and providing support and comfort to us during her dying process. They even sent out a bereavement package afterwards, inviting us to take part in grief seminars if we desire to do so. I'd also like to thank all the kind people here at LCCC for your words of support and advice. I did not post here often, but I always came away from reading your responses feeling better about a bad situation. You have my thanks and best wishes for the future. This is my mother's obituary. BARBARA LEONA SMITH May 17th 1936 - June 3rd 2007 Peacefully, after a valiant battle with lung cancer, at the Riverview Health Centre. Barbara, also known as “Lee”, was known and loved by many for her skills as a library technician and as a teacher. She established three school libraries in Winnipeg and ran several more before retiring in 2000. Barbara loved music, gardening, and animals, and faced her diagnosis of cancer with great courage. She is survived by her daughter Laurie and son-in-law George as well as by her beloved cat Mina, and by many friends and former students whose lives she touched. No one who met Barbara could forget her intelligence, willpower, and kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society in Barbara Smith’s memory and in her name, toward purchasing a plaque in her honour. Please call 982-2041 for more information. Our sincere thanks to the staff at the Riverview palliative ward for their excellent and compassionate care. An informal afternoon of memories will be held at the Thomas Sill Auditorium at Riverview Health Centre, on Wednesday June 20th, from 2:30-4:30 pm. “In the arms of the Goddess, from death to rebirth, you shall go forth.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 I am so sorry to read this. Please accept my sincere condolences and sympathies. Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 I am so sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 You have my deepest condolences on your mother's death. Your peace is a great inspiration and I wish for you continued strength and peace in knowing that you did all you could to make your mother's journey through this diease easier. ((((Hugs)))) Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lc46 Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 I'm so sorry for your loss. May you find strength, peace and comfort in the days to come. Dar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursol Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 I'm so sorry for your loss. Lilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 My sympathies to you and your family. Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 I am so very sorry for your loss. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamataca Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Wow--establishing those libraries was very cool! I wonder if your mom was like mine--wanted as much control as possible? My mom was alert and in no pain when she signed her hospice papers, and then died at home peacefully less than one week later. I think women who know their own minds may have some say over their final moments. Your mom sounds like an incredible woman. They are the ones who leave such enermous gaps in our lives when they are gone. Please take care of yourself in the upcoming days and weeks. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 My deepest condolences on the loss of your mom. I know it was just not enough time as this happened so fast. The only solice I can give you is at least it was not a long drawn out painful passing. Keep those beautiful memories of your beloved mom alive in your heart an there she will live on through all her loved ones. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharonjo Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 I am so very sorry for your loss. May God grant you peace and comfort in the days and weeks to come. I'll keep you in my prayers. Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your dear Mom. These words hardly seem adequate in light of your grief. May God hold you in his arms and comfort you now. Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 I am so sorry...your mom put up a brave fight. Eternal rest be granted unto her oh Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon her always. May she rest in peace. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 So very sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyma Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 My deepest condolances to you and your family in the loss of your mother. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 My heartfelt condolences. May your mom rest in peace. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie Q Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Deepest sympathies to you in your loss. ~Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 My sympathies to you and your family. God bless you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pammie Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 our prayers are with you in the loss of Lee, your mom. pammie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiecrow Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Thank you, everyone, for your kind words. They are greatly appreciated. My mother was indeed a very special woman -- as Kelly said, she wanted as much control as possible, and that was what she got. Blessings to all of you, Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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