How was your experience with someone taking their last breath?

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, about a month ago my father in law died in hospital, and as it was unexpected, and late in the evening, none of his family were there at his side at the time.

Some 20 years ago I lost my father, and I was with my mother, sister and brother at his bedside at the time.

He was only 80, and had gone into hospital for a routine operation. He suffered a reaction to the anaesthetic, which triggered a cardiac arrest.

Immediately after the surgery he was moved into the intensive care unit, and a few hours later his immediate family, my mother, sister, brother and myself, were all at his side.

During the following 5 weeks I took my mother to see him at least once every day, usually twice or more. My sister and brother, who lived further away, attended as often as they could. During that time we only ever saw each other in the hospital.

The only times that we were all together at his bedside at the same time were immediately after the surgery, and five weeks later at the time when the doctors told us that he had passed away. It was almost as if he waited for us all to be there with him.

I remember feeling on the very first day that I would never be able to talk with my father again, and that he would never wake up from his coma.

I have never been able to tell anyone about this feeling I had, it was just like a premonition about what was going to happen.

The one redeeming factor is that when he passed away, his wife and his children were all with him.

I then had to tell my children what had happened to their grandfather, and this was their first experience of death, so in some ways that was the hardest part for me.

My father had developed Alzheimer's, which was a huge burden for my mother, so at least we had the relief that she was spared having to cope with his illness.

My mother is 96 next month, and she is still living on her own, and coping admirably.

Sorry if I've gone on a bit, but I do still remember my father fondly, and the moment of his death is still one of the moments in my life that I will never forget.

Take care.

EDIT:- Of course we look after our mother, I see her 2 or 3 times a week, and so does my sister.

My brother , who lives further away, sees her whenever he can.

I live about a mile away from her, so I can get to her quickly if I need to, and she also has a device that will contact emergency assistance if she needs it.

Bornfreemalaysian...I know how you feel,I lost my mom. You have to know she's paid her dues she's with God. Anytime someone I know leaves this world,I say right on. You are entering a new world with no more suffering or pain,they will live forever. May God forgive me, this world was screwed up when this world began. Just hold your head up and know she's alright.She's watching over you now and

Always. May God bless you,and keep the faith.

CPR?