The oxygen has helped Aunt Pat feel better. She is resting comfortably. Lori the Hospice Angel put her on a schedule for the meds. She'll get Ondansetron (8mg), Morphine (5mg) and Haloperidol (0.5mg) every eight hours starting at 8 am, 4 pm and Midnight.
The meds will make her very sleepy and fuzzy. She'll probably have hallucinations. Lori explained in the Hospice world they call it "visioning". The dying will report visions of deceased loved ones in the room with them. Lori said the visions typically lessen the fear of dying and make passing an easier transition. Aunt Pat told us she felt someone in the room with her earlier. She opened her eyes but no one was there. I'm sure it's someone she knows inviting her to 4 o'clock coffee.
When I visited her briefly last night we looked out the window to watch the stars. She told me one of her favorite poems is Lord Tennyson's Crossing the Bar. She started reciting it. I thought it was very fitting to share.
Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Betsy xo
Yep that poem was fitting for aunt pat.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she'll met her pilot soon.
Yes, very approprliate. Her father Eric had that very sonnet spoke at his funeral. "Let there be no moaning of the bar, when I put off to sea...."
ReplyDeleteI have thought of that many times as I put off of the Columia Bar as I was in persuit of salmon.
May Pat cross the bar, peasfully with so many in sorrow behind.
God Bless you, Betsy. What you are doing for Pat is wonderful. Your presence gives her much comfort, I am sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Betsy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Betsy. Please post soon to update us. I have this picture of Pat, pushing an old but steady boat out across the bar, black coffee steaming from a mug and the smiling pilot right next to her.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you Betsy. May she rest peacefully until the end. God bless you, my lifelong friend as you cross the bar into a better place.
ReplyDeleteBrett, Callie and I are thinking of Pat. We spoke this evening about the last time we were at the beach with her.
ReplyDelete