Death's finality

Death is an end - a finality.

There is no running away from it as it is the only guarantee of life.

Yet, to some it is a relief to reach the end. For some, it is a relief that the suffering has ended.

My mother-in-law passed away on Friday (23 of July) after much pain and suffering. She recently broke her right femur bone due to a fall and had to undergo corrective surgery to fix it. Prior to the surgery, we were warned that she may not make it due to her swollen heart. She has a history of multiple illnesses including diabetes and heart problems. And all this has made her last leg of life a challenge for herself and her care-givers.

She came out of the 4 hour surgery a success. She was conscious and looked well at 3pm. We were all hopeful. And yet filled with trepidation. But we celebrated the success anyway and by 5,30pm, when we revisited her at the hospital she was a different person. She was agitated, nervous, even angry. She yanked out the intravenous needle on her arm and bled profusely while she eyed everyone around her suspiciously. The doctor tried to find another inlet and help her calm down. I stepped away with my traumatised sister-in-law and gave her a chance to shower and calm down. That was the last time I saw my mother-in-law alive.

Part 2 will be continued.