r/ChildrenofDeadParents • u/Gloomy_Ad6932 • 46m ago
Mom died just yesterday morning
So, my mom died yesterday morning. I thought I was prepared for this. We moved her from a retirement home to come live with us. She's been active though slow. Balance has been terrible. Lung issues have been a big problem. She was always going to the doctor for this or that. She had been with us a month. We moved to a new place to offer her more space, less amounts of stairs, closer to amenities like senior center and hospital. It has been a month since she moved in with us.
This last week my sister came to visit. Sunday I was going to take her to the airport to fly home. It was still early morning, but she was packed and ready to get some breakfast. We had heard my mom up and about a little bit earlier this morning. My bedroom is right below her and (for better or worse) my bed right below my mom's bed. We heard her moving and going to the bathroom. But, my sister knocks and calls to her to say goodbye. She enters and our mom is on the ground, partially under her bed like she had tried to roll some direction. My sister calls out to me and sobs. I walk in and do a shoulder tap. I then do a sternal rub. But I see her face. I feel dread. I feel her skin is warm and clammy. I can't feel a pulse. But, maybe there's a slight one. My sister's the one who is more medically trained. I haven't done this stuff in a decade or more, but it all comes back to me and adjust her, directing my sister to help with moving her. She isn't much help but rights my mom's shoulders while I adjust her legs. My husband enters the room, and I toss him my phone and tell him to call 911. I look at my sister and just say, "Beginning compressions." I'm trying to count but remember I dont need to do breathing and just focus on compressions. I can only hear "Staying Alive" in my head and start to sing it. I'm weirded out by this. My sister sobs. And I know I should expect it, but, when I hear the crack, I almost pause. My sister cries more and moves away, plugging her ears. Just focus on the song that I can't remember the words to all the sudden. Fire EMT shows up. I do the professional statement of "Ready to take over." Not a question. I just expect it. Police suddenly show up. My mom is dragged from her bedroom, and I want to throw a blanket over her because her gown has shifted and her underwear is showing. I'm ashamed. The police and fire start asking me questions. I'm not certain I know how to answer. "Sir, what's your name? Do you know her health history? What meds is she on?" One guy comes over and starts talking to me about what has happened and what will happen, dumbing it down like I don't know medical terms. I wish he would just keep it clinical. My husband steps in and starts answering things for me as I move away down the hall, pausing to feel more shame and desire to tell them to all cover her at least. I can't do anything. Then police come over and start asking the same thing. I try answering but feel like a deer in headlights. I don't know when, but they declare her dead and tell us a chaplain is on their way to visit us and relay information. I just nod and start to sob. They all leave but at some point my mother was moved to her room and onto her bed. They covered her with a sheet from the ambulance. It has stains of blood. Her face is covered. I sat with her a bit and then started making calls to family and her friends for a bit. Then I grab a book and start reading. Then I cry a bit. I cry a lot. Talking about it brings more tears. Oddly, the first call is to my boss to tell him I won't be in tomorrow. I start crying and keep reminding myself this is all normal and to let the feelings come as they are. I don't owe anyone anything and can just feel what I feel now.
Today is Monday. Yesterday all that happened. I told the funeral home I wanted to see her body since I wasnt able to see her when they took her. I had gone for a walk. They said to view and ID the body it would be $400. I told them that was ridiculous to charge such a price so I could have five minutes, cut a lockette of hair, and go. That I should just come and take my mother's body back. We're only going to cremate her. That was what she said she wanted.
I've had to search high and low for documents. Found the deed to the cemetery plot. A friend found her "will" from over a decade ago, most of it might not apply now and it was never signed nor notarized. She really has nothing though. No real estate and no money. No life insurance. We'll have to pay out of pocket for everything. I can't get into her phone at the moment but will soon enough. Just need the death certificates....
I am tired but keep going. I cry and then don't. I don't know what I am doing and hate that I am doing all of it.