what to do?

It's hard to say. We all want to do the best thing. We are all in shock and there have been many phone conversations since we all got this unexpected news this morning. Carol was cooking up a storm just last week, sounding perky and confident, and eating good-n-plenty's. This all has happened so fast.

I have spoken with Don and he reported that we should definitely come out in spite of Aunt June's wishes for people to stay put. We love and respect Aunt June and her wishes and want to do the right thing. However Don told me, and then he called my mother, and told her, that Carol needs as many people right now as can come out. He said that Carol wants to see us, that she could die at any time, and that she wants her family with her at this time, which makes sense knowing Carol. She is, after all, all about family.

When I spoke to Don, he was out of Carol's room at the hospital so that he could use his cell phone. While we were talking, Justin came to tell Don that Carol wanted him to come back to the room because she was scared. Her lungs are filling up with fluid, but she is comfortable and her pain is being managed. She will be leaving the hospital today and going home where the room is being set up to better accomodate her needs. Hospice will be coming in to her home.

I am hoping that Aunt June will be comforted by our presence. We will be there to be of service, not to create commotion. Even if we are just sitting quietly outside Carol's bedroom, I know that Carol will be comforted by having people who love her close by. I am so grateful that Don is giving us clear direction, directly from Carol.

It looks as though my mother and I will be leaving to go there tomorrow. She is checking into getting airline tickets and I'm waiting to hear from her. more soon- love, leslie