Remembering my C is for Cancer post at the beginning of June. Since then, C has been for Compassion, Caring, and Community. C is also for Completion and Closure. Janes fight is finished. She developed a rapidly debilitating pneumonia which sent her to the hospital Sunday evening. She chose not to have heroic measures to maintain life here; she was ready to go to the life ahead. We had discussed all of these matters years ago and reviewed them more than once over recent weeks. She was fully conscious when she told Rich and the doctors on Sunday evening that she was ready to die. She asked for pain medication and to be allowed to rest. With morphine and oxygen, that was possible. I wasnt able to speak with the priest on call at nearly midnight, but I went online to the Book of Common Prayer. (I am so grateful to have a friend who showed me that a few years back!) A little later, Rich and I and all the children were with Jane as Rich read aloud the Litany at the Time of Death. Even young Elizabeth was very brave and overcame her own discomfort to stand in the room with us. After he finished, Elizabeth and I left the room. Rich noticed that Janes breathing had stopped and realized she had left us. Even though Jane was not conscious due to the morphine, it seemed to us as if she had been waiting to hear the blessing and prayers, then she was ready to go. When I returned to the room (without Elizabeth), I read aloud the Commendation at the Time of Death and the Commendatory Prayer. Thank you all so much for your prayers during Janes illness.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 19:21:29 +0000
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