My mom had a stroke in July 2021 and has been in a care home since due to the stroke impairing her speech and use of her right side. We don’t know exactly how much she remembers of who we are or how much she’s following current events. My dad was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis about 10-years ago and we were all aware it was not going to get better, just worse. Beginning of last month, he made the decision to move into the same care home as my mom. They got to spend their 50th wedding anniversary together under the same roof. The Friday before Father’s Day, he sent a text saying he was experiencing pain and asked me to contact the care home. I did and left a message but then called his phone to see if I could talk to staff that way. That was the last conversation I had with him. I was eventually able to speak with a nurse caring for him and was given an update on how he was doing. He was given medication to help with the pain but was pretty much gone at that point. I was able to see him via FaceTime and wish him happy father’s day. My dad passed away on the 21st - he was 75 years old; the 21st is also my brother’s birthday. We all knew it was a possibility but it still doesn’t stop the sudden moments of pain and loss. I haven’t lived with my parents for at least a decade but would talk with both of them at least weekly and not being able to reach out and talk to either of them hurts so much. It’s been 2 weeks and it feels like yesterday and months ago.

Posted by taqara at 2022-07-06 05:58:06 UTC