First thing to do is abandon the guilt. Do NOT tear yourself up over this. Death comes to us all and to all we know and love. None of us knows how it's going to go. In your case, maybe you'll be there at the end or maybe you won't. Maybe she'll still know you're there or maybe she won't. Can't plan these things out. All you -- or anyone else -- can do is the best you can. Life does go on...and it deserves priority. You and your family deserve priority.

I do encourage you to do as much as you can on your mother's behalf. Just don't pretend that you can do everything you think "should" be done or everything your mother thinks you should do. It is possible to strike a balance but it's never perfect. Preserve yourself and your family. You must give them priority. If your mom's still thinking straight, I have little doubt she would agree.

It's a painful time. But it is a common circumstance. Sounds a little careless to say "lighten up"... but you really need to. You can manage this. And your family will still be there when its over.

My heart really goes out to you and your family. I can't imagine the stress you've been under, not to mention the grief and the guilt. You are only one person and it sounds like you've been doing the job of many. I think you've made good decisions concerning your mother as difficult as they may be. Watching someone you love so dearly fade away is so difficult.
Don't feel guilty, as much as you love your mother, you have you and your family to consider and it sounds like you are doing the absolute best you can. Thats all you can do. I really wish you and your family the best. Hang in there and "vent" here anytime you need to.

I agree, the first thing to do is to abandon the guilt. You have to think of yourself, as well as your mother. If you don't take care of the Caregiver, you can't take care of the patient. Trust me on that one. I've been in your shoes. I had a full life when my mother became terminally ill. I couldn't leave my family, my job, my life for what would have been 6 months just to care for her, especially since she lived in a different state. At first, I was just there as often as possible. As she worsened, I arranged to go down to part-time, and I literally flew out to her on a Saturday, took 24/7 care of her for a week, left the following Sunday (and hospice took over, along with close friends) and flew back, worked a full time week and spent time with my family, and flew back the following Saturday. It was hell. I kept it up for just over 3 months, except during the last 3 weeks, she was so bad I didn't go back home because they didn't know when she would die. I would do it all over again, as hard as it was. But I WOULDN'T have given up the times I went home. I just needed to "touch base" with my family, my job, my friends -- my "normal" life, just so I knew it was there, I guess. What I was dealing with in terms of my Mom was so much like being out of touch with reality, that I needed that touch with reality to stay balanced. So listen to yourself. If that's what you need to do to get through this, THEN DO IT! You won't be sorry. My mother passed 11 years ago, and I'm still not sorry I did it the way I did. MacThayer

Thank you so much for your responses. What has kept me going was the thought that I have my whole life ahead of me, and I can afford to give up a little slice for my mother. But, it is just so emotionally draining. I don't think this would be so hard if I had my family to go home to everyday, or night. But, I am so far away from them, it just makes this journey harder. I talked to homecare about respite, and they will make arrangements for mom to be admitted into one of the nursing homes for three weeks. We will try this out at least once and see what happens. I am trying very hard to let go of the guilt. I just need to "touch base" as Macthayer stated. Regroup, refresh, and recharge!

Is taking her to your home a possibility? Maybe put a hospital bed in your living room for her?
I agree you NEED to be with your family. Just trying to figure out a way for you to have the best of both worlds.
Hang in there and thanks for sharing. Please keep in touch. There really isn't anything we can do, but give some moral support. Venting really does help some.

MacThayer, what a blessing you were to your Mom. And there is nothing like advice from someone that has already walked the road that we have ahead of us.
Betty

I talked to my mother about moving her back home with me about 2 months ago. We entered a dark period after that discussion. She is so stubborn, she does not want to move. We both felt resentment, and when your mother is dying, it is not a good place to be. So I left it alone and vowed never to bring it up again. BUT, now things have changed. Our caregiver has resigned, and if we don't find someone willing and capable to care for my FIL and my children, which will not be an easy task, then I will have to find alternate arrangements. Today I talked to mom again. She still does not want to move away, so I told her that our only option would be a nursing home here. I could always drive back and forth with the kids to see her over the summer. I even suggested a nursing home back home, but she would not have it...apparently they would not be able to change her dressings.

Even if mom did agree to come home with me, I believe it would be too much for everyone. We still have our 94yr old FIL at home needing more and more care as he ages. I would go absolutely banana's. I also think it would be too difficult for the children, to see grandma so ill, and also the thought of them losing grandma and grandpa...oh the pain they would suffer. It will be hard enough on them to lose their grandpa when it's his time, they have grown so close to him.

I am just taking it day by day. Looking forward to my respite for now. We will see what will happen after that. Before I go home, I will inquire about the nursing home situation here, just to be prepared if it comes down to that.

This is a great forum...so glad I found you guys.

I think you are doing the best you can with the situation and looking into a nursing facility is very wise. You would be taking on so much trying to handle both your mother and FIL. Good luck and please enjoy your respite the best you can. Let us know how its going.

Please check into Hospice in your area
I know that many people find that this is a great help
Type in Hospice in Google and that will lead you to your area.
Good Luck
Connie