Mom passed away in the early hours of Friday, August 21st, at home, with loved ones by her side.
I will take comfort in knowing that we did well by her.
Fern Alberta Peterson was granted her angel wings on August 21, 2009. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that Fern had touched throughout her life. Special thanks to her sister, Thelma, for her wisdom and guidance.
Fern’s life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. Her beautiful smile and quick wit brought so much joy to our family.
Fern was predeceased by her father, Lawrence Albert, her mother, Dorothy Anne, her brother, Milton, and her sisters, May and Shirley. She is survived by her sister, Thelma, and her brother, Lloyd.
Left to carry on Fern’s loving legacy are her husband, Les, her seven children: Cherrie, Andy (Sharmon), Larry, Dan (Pearl), Rhonda (George), Donna (Barry) and James (Jocelyn). She will be lovingly remembered by so many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nieces & nephews.
Fern will be forever loved and missed by her childhood sweetheart, Joseph.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
How Did We End Up Here?!
It's four in the morning, and mom has been resting quietly for just over an hour. Boy, have things changed in the last little while.
In May, Mom was put on a chemotherapy drug called Tarceva. Despite harsh side effects, the cancer was shrinking. But, it wasn't enough, and the fight just got to be too much for Mom.
Last week she took to her bed. We got a hospital bed set up in Cherrie's dining room. Mom's happy there, she can be comfortable and be a part of everything as well.
The last few days, though, we've seen a marked decline in Mom's health. Her kidneys are failing (we've got her on 1 litre of saline fluids everyday, and a catheter because she's so immobile). She slips in and out of consciousness - I'm sure that she's scouting out her other options - and sometimes calls for her mom, who died years ago.
Amazingly enough, her lungs don't sound bad at all. With the help of oxygen, she doesn't cough at all.
She doesn't seem to be in pain or uncomfortable, just a bit scared about her next step.
So, we're all gathering around. I guess this is what a bedside vigil is all about. Laughing one minute, crying the next. Today, Mom managed to say that she loved us all. That's what I'll hold on to, and what I'll share with you.
Life is too short for anything less.
In May, Mom was put on a chemotherapy drug called Tarceva. Despite harsh side effects, the cancer was shrinking. But, it wasn't enough, and the fight just got to be too much for Mom.
Last week she took to her bed. We got a hospital bed set up in Cherrie's dining room. Mom's happy there, she can be comfortable and be a part of everything as well.
The last few days, though, we've seen a marked decline in Mom's health. Her kidneys are failing (we've got her on 1 litre of saline fluids everyday, and a catheter because she's so immobile). She slips in and out of consciousness - I'm sure that she's scouting out her other options - and sometimes calls for her mom, who died years ago.
Amazingly enough, her lungs don't sound bad at all. With the help of oxygen, she doesn't cough at all.
She doesn't seem to be in pain or uncomfortable, just a bit scared about her next step.
So, we're all gathering around. I guess this is what a bedside vigil is all about. Laughing one minute, crying the next. Today, Mom managed to say that she loved us all. That's what I'll hold on to, and what I'll share with you.
Life is too short for anything less.
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