The Bad and the Good

[asphaltgambler]

Well..................................... after 5 years of battling Alzheimers, Dementia and finally a massive stroke I lost my mom Thursday evening. Her mental health had detiorated to the point that she sometimes did not recognize me, my older bros and sis and even my dad who was her caretaker. She was 83.

Her phyiscal health had been well for the most part through-out her life. She was an amazing women. As a matter of fact my parents just celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary last month!!

The funeral is Monday. I'm the youngest of 4 (age 46) and there was a time I really thought they would outlive me!. I'm at the end of the boomer generation and in many ways grew up in a semi-rural area not too far from a "Leave it to Beaver" childhood.

In one way I feel that a huge part of who I am is gone never to re-surface. Another way............... a new beginning sort of.


The good part is I'm picking my newly-built 3.4 engine today from my machinst/builder Micheal Mount (MD). This too (seems) like a forever deal. Bought car, car broke, I'm broke, rebuilt engine and trans, 1+ year later. The end for that project is somewhat near now. I can at least see the end of the tunnel!

When I get the thing on the stand and dressed I'll post pics and the story soon.

[oldE]

Sorry to hear about your Mom's long struggle. That sort of end is hard. As are they all, I guess. Give your Dad lots of love and support. He'll miss her terribly.
Getting the 3.4 back in should help ease some pain. As you said: new beginnings.
Les

[Seahawk]

Originally posted by oldE
Sorry to hear about your Mom's long struggle. That sort of end is hard. As are they all, I guess. Give your Dad lots of love and support. He'll miss her terribly.

Mothers like yours are the best thing about being a son...Les is right, your father will need your love and support. My father did when my mother passed.
All the best in this difficult time.

Paul

[scottmandue]

Sorry to hear of your loss...

And yes it is a new begining... we cannot live in the past, just make the best of today and the future.

I'm the youngest and just turned 49, mom and dad are in good health but know that I'm going to have to deal with this same situation sooner rather than later.

[TerryH]

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss, AG. Remember all the good times and be consoled that she is in a better place. My folks both passed 5 years ago and the void is still there and always will be.

Funny, with my older brother, we too, have related to a "Leave it to Beaver" childhood. Lots of fun, but even more mischief.

[johnco]

My father died 2 weeks ago with Alzshiemers after 8-10 years of a mostly vegetative state. we were relieved to see him go. A once vibrant, hard working man, he had to be restrained in chairs and bed to keep from hurting himself. A terrible disease!. Sorry for your loss, I know exactly what your family had to go through caring for someone with Alzsheimers. Not an easy thing to deal with.

[asphaltgambler]

The end was one of the toughest things I've ever witnessed. After a few days in the hospital for relatively minor stuff she suffered a massive stroke. Basically the left side of her brain was done as well as the right side oif her body. Docs say that was it. No hope of 'recovery'

Both mom and dad have a living will stating clearly that if anything like this were to have happen they wish NOT to sustain life. So with thatthey removed all support, made her comforatble and then waited for her to expire. In simple word all nourishment was removed. It took 8 days.

I swear to God that sometimes she responded and understood what we where saying. For me it was more painful because the actual process didn't just end it took 8 days. My dad couldn't bear to be there so in the last few days it was just the kids.

[bigchillcar]

condolences from me as well..thursday must have been a tough day for mom's - my ex's mother also died that day, same age..
ryan