Losing a friend
Today we learned that Mary has won her battle to remain independant to death. She has struggled very hard and deserves her rest now. 6 months ago she had a single night in one of the most expensive nursing homes in Edinburgh, and was treated “like a sack of potatoes”, so she discharged herself the next morning. After that, despite her terrible disabilities (Parkinsons Disease) she managed to stay living in her sheltered flat with help three times a day to see to her personal needs. Another bout of a knee giving way took her to hospital on 23rd December, to her favourite ward, where we visited on 5th january. We found her less mobile than ever, but well hydrated, and sheerful and optimistic. Through all the years of her fight with this illness, Mary was always positive and cheerful. On that last Friday, she could no longer read as her eyes would not focus any more, and she could not hear the ward TV. For a lady who was used to reading The Times from cover to cover each day all her life, this was a terrible blow, but she only told us how well she was being treated, and how the rest in the hospital was doing her good. Two days later she collapsed, and was unconscious for nearly a week before dying peacefully. We saw her again during that week. Her grandchildren were there too, one little girl stroking her hair and another holding her hand. It was lovely. And now she is at peace.
