Elizabeth from Ohio

I'm not sure I was able to attach the picture of me and Mom waving. However, she came to live with me in 2010 and I was her caregiver until she went to heaven on Oct 1, 2012 while at home with me. We went out occasionally with my friends and I took her to doctor appointments and wherever she needed to go until she was bedridden. Friends volunteered to stay with her when I did errands and grocery shopping. I managed housework, laundry, cooking, medication giving/dr. visit records and her and my expenses/bills. I also worked full time until she needed me at home 24/7. Eventually she was on oxygen and I assisted her with her oxygen around the house, to the bathroom, bathing and hair care and dressing. Mom had severe osteoporosis and I relied on my previous 285 hours of hospital volunteer work to guide me with raising and lifting her from sitting to standing at her walker. Being petite, at this point I got a back brace to assist me. My experience was also helpful in the bathroom and at her bed. Later she had an in-house wheel chair which helped us both. Since she had third stage kidney disease and congestive heart failure when it became time, her doctor arranged for Hospice nurses to stay with us at home during the day. They were very devoted to her care and came every morning and stayed until after her dinner. They were also on-call during the night if I needed someone. Mom and I had a very close relationship. As Mother and Daughter we adjusted to being in one house together after years of living alone. We became living companions, partners and loved ones (even more so). Something that my brother suggested and was very helpful, was a baby monitor so I could hear her call me when in another room. My laundry room is off the garage. When Mom passed, my dearest friends came over to pay their respects before the funeral home driver came to pick her up. My friends never told me it was their anniversary and the funeral home driver was very respectful. Mom was placed in a royal blue velvet wrap, and once all farewells were said he asked permission to cover her face before departing. The following days were difficult in an empty home. I had to go to the funeral home the next day and finalize arrangements for her flight east for memorial service. Everyone was very helpful, but the silence of her voice and absence of her visual presence was missing. I had no family with me. I flew east for the service. It's a long journey without her, but I have pictures, memories, and she is close at hand when I need her. Especially when remembering special events or trying to find my glasses(something I did for her). Love you Mom thanks for everything.