'Parting is such sweet sorrow.'

Dulcie is leaving us.The last few days have been amazing, horrible, wonderful, distressing and comforting She has been surrounded by her wonderful family and showered with love and kisses. So many lovely things have been said and it has been an emotional rollercoaster."I always thought I had a lovely family but you have all proved it," she said from her bed.As I knelt beside her in bed over the weekend and held her left hand she lifted her right arm with the little strength she had left and put it round my shoulders and said "I love you Nick.""I love you too" I said failing miserably not to cry.The house was filled with music as Will and Tracy played on harp, guitar and mandolin.Dulcie listened from her bed and loved it. Will had played the harp when they scattered his father's ashes up at Yabba, the place where Dulcie and her husband first lived together."Do you remember at Yabba?" She asked him. He nodded. "I'l be up there soon," she said."Do you want to go to Yabba?" I asked to make sure and in typical Dulcie style she replied."I don't give a bugger where you put me."Yesterday a palliative care doctor, Liz and a nurse, Amber came to our rescue and gave us the support and help we had needed all weekend.Liz knelt by Dulcie's bed and took her hand and talked to her. She asked her what Dulcie wanted and Dulcie was able to say that she didn't want to go to hospital. Liz asked how she felt and Dulcie said that she was 'going downhill'."Yes" said Liz, " I don't think you have very much longer to live Dulcie. Are you scared?"She shook her head.Dulcie was able to tell her herself that she didn't want to go to hospital."Well, it's a deal Dulcie. You are not going to hospital."Amber said the house had a lovely presence about it as she got the medications ready.They fitted her up to a pump that slowly releases medication to make her more comfortable and Amber showed me how to administer extra doses of medication to help her combat pain, nausea or breathlessness as needed and Dulcie went to sleep.It is now 9.00 am and Dulcie has been asleep since yesterday lunchtime but she is peaceful, calm and quiet and her 92 (though she would say 93) year old heart and lungs will not give up just yet. I think she is catching up on all the sleep she has missed over the last months. She is breathing steadily and every now and again exhales loudly and makes our hearts skip a beat before she takes another breath again.A nurse is coming later to see her.......and wouldn't you just know it.........after all that, it turns out that the best people in these situations are from Blue Care..........Doh!