Barbara’s Story

Site created on September 20, 2018

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Cathy Busick

Hi! We had a wonderful day yesterday on and off with family, friends, facetiming with nieces and nephews, and mom was even able to talk with a special friend from Nepal through Facebook. Later she (the friend from Nepal) even had her aunt and uncle bring a long note and flowers to mom since she (the friend in Nepal)had been asleep when mom called and wanted to say more to her than she did. We cried, laughed, told old stories mom never knew about us growing up (while she was asleep), and took turns getting something to eat, etc.

I was frustrated with how long it took to get Hospice going, especially when the Hospice nurse was coming and they took the nose vetilator off and put the oxygen at 2. When the two hours of morphine were completed, she would get restless. She also woke up at one point and kept saying she was sorry. She did end up getting me, my great-aunt, and friend wet as she had said earlier in the day that she could do what she wanted, didn't care, and was "going swimming." She also said she was going to water the flowers on the way to heaven. 

They finally got her relaxed again around Midnight, and I was debating whether or not to go back to mom's house to sleep so that my great-aunt could sleep in a bed instead of a chair. Our friend said she would stay until about 2 or 3 and then take an Uber to get her car. I wrote my cell number on the board and asked them to call when we needed to get there.

We got to bed by 1 and then our friend called at 7:30 to say that we needed to get to the hospital. I woke my great-aunt up, helped her get her things together, and we raced out the door. Our friend called a little later to say that mom had passed.

I was frustrated when I realized that there is no valet parking at the hospital during the weekends, so I dropped my great-aunt off, parked her car, and rushed up to the room. They said we could stay in the room as long as we wanted, but I said it wasn't mom that her soul was in Heaven. Our friend said they pronounced mom at 7:45 AM. I started taking off her jewelry, and I couldn't take off her rings. It was too difficult for me to see her hands and do it. A doctor or nurse said he would do it for us. We got the rest of mom's things together, and I gave Eleanor two flowers that mom had gotten and gave our friend two roses and told her that can remind her of their special friendship.

We went to get my car and had to call the hospital to call security to get my keys. I drove my friend to her company to get her car and headed back to mom.

Mom's body will go to Palmer's Funeral Home on the South side of South Bend and then hopefully her wishes will be granted and IU will take her body for scientific research.

We are planning on having a memorial service on Monday, October 15th at 11 AM at The Sanctuary of St. Paul's chapel and then have a luncheon following in the main diningroom.

I will put out a reminder as the time gets closer.

I want to thank everyone so much for your prayers, calls, visits, and concern! Our whole family and, I know, mom appreciates it as well.

Love and hugs!!❤

Cathy
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Barbara Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Barbara's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Comments Hide comments

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top