Followers

Monday, February 28, 2011

Time with Leoni




Leoni





We were each able to spend time with our dear friend in her last few days with us. Time that we would have never traded for anything else










Son Ruud
Grandson DidierNephew PatrickLisette and Toyke

Leoni's room was on the 8th floor of the Lung disorders wing of the hospital
She had a private room with a small waiting area. In the waiting area they rolled a bed in for her son Ruud. He was at the hospital 24/7
Leoni's room had a view of the city of Haarlem with a canal just below.
Leoni had many visits of friends and family during her last days. They came from all over.
One of the things that Leoni was able to do was to keep in touch with family....family we have never met until this trip.
as Leoni was getting ready during her final hours Lisette did the nail polish thing on the toes and hands. It was touching to see the interaction between the two of them.
For those of you reading this Leoni had Lung cancer and there was noting that could be done anymore. She was confined to the hospital due to the fact that her lungs were not functioning properly anymore. Leoni would be Euthanized, it may sound horrible and not right, but I have changed my mind on that issue. Just because it is legal in the Netherlands doesn't mean that anyone can go thru with it. They have strict guidelines and must have the approval of several Doctors. There must not be any avaiable treatments left.
As we neared the hour when Leoni would leave us the Doctor came in, we left the room and the Doctor visited with Leoni. He made she that she was still OK with her dicision, which she was.
We were all invited back into the room. After a few minutes Ruud sat by his mother and Didier sat on the other side of the bed and held her hand. Leoni would spend her last minutes looking into the eyes of her son. A medicine was administered that would put Leoni into a deep sleep. This process took about 20 minutes, Once Leoni was in a deep sleep the doctor checked her pulse, looked into her eyes and determines that the 2nd and final phase of the process could begin. A 2nd medicine was administered. This medicine would relax all the muscles and her heart would stop. The process started at 6 pm on the 14th of February and at 6:45 pm Leoni was pronouced dead. A second doctor would come in to confirm that she had indeed passed away.
The atmosmosphere during all this was sombre, silent and very touching. The connection between mother and son, stronger than I had ever seen. Tears were shed. We were given time to be with Leoni. There were many flowers in the room from people who had visited, Patrick took a few Roses and placed them in her hand laying them accross her body.
We had to leave for a few minutes while the nurses did their job in positioning Leoni and then we were allowed back into the room for another short visit.
As we parted with Ruud and Didier that evening it was hard for us because we knew what emotions they would be having and knew that there was nothing we could do.
Our job now as family was to be there as support for Ruud and Didier. To help them thru the next week and a half.

No comments: