Loss of my mum on 31 October 2025

I have just faced loss of my mum at aged of 69..She just kept living her life, and never once complained about anything at all with the body.

Having read through last few end of life symptoms on the site, this is exactly what I had to see. I felt helpless. It was a transition across last week that is making sense now, from my mum wanting to fulfill last wishes in hospital, making friends in the ward, taking photos with relatives and eventually no speech to taking every breath with difficulty in last 1-2 days before succumbing to final breath.

I had no idea this transition is so quick and I couldn't even join the dots properly even from moments when her eating and drinking became a struggle and non-existent. It only registered as a phase that can be fixed by hospital staff.

I wish I had been knowledgeable on all this, but we never see end of a loved one especially if there are no complaints at all. I kept on going on with my life, maybe there was something creating a boundary and separating me from pain that my mum was silently experiencing as she prepared journey alone.

I do not think it all has registered fully since emotions have felt subdued. I have held together too strongly. Perhaps being right at the bedside to last second has allowed me to accept reality as it is for my mum and become exempt from suffering.

  • Dear Amit

    I saw the same symptoms with my husband when he passed away 2 weeks ago. I wish I had known about them, maybe it would have prepared me, maybe not. Loss of speech, breathing difficulties and not eating. The feeling of helplessness is huge. As you say this happens so quickly. My husband had terminal agitation, It was very hard to see.

    Processing seeing this in my mind and the loss of my husband is immense. I'm trying so very hard not to dwell on these memories and remember better times instead.

    One thought that does bring me comfort is that as hard and heart-breaking as it was to see this I was with my husband when he passed. I've been told that the sense of hearing is the last thing to go so I'm sure your mum will have heard you and felt you there. Your mum will have known how much you love her.

    As you say your mum is now exempt from her suffering. 

    Processing everything is beyond hard, please be gentle with yourself. Waves of emotions come to me, but with great love comes great pain of loss. I'm so grateful for the emotions in many ways as I loved my husband so much. The pain is a tribute to our love. I hope this makes sense.

    I wish you peace

    Waves x

  • I think it has changed my whole purpose in life.

    We have gone through vigorous 13 day ceremony in our Hindu religion to bring my mum's presence back into our house and then unite my mum away again with her late ancestors (including her parents) where the journey starts afresh from birth. Perhaps it's a sign she has regained real happiness immediately in best hands, which I am certain was in her final thoughts and I can imagine this warmth will come flooding any day soon in my life, showing the starting journey in stress free life from Inception.

    I appreciate you have written and managed to also rationalise that your loved one transitioned to equal place full of love

    Thank you for being brave in  writing and also letting me find my voice.

    Amit

  • Thank you for your reply Amit. I think the Hindu religion sounds like a lovely process to reunite your mum with your loved ones who have passed. Knowing your mum has completed her journey will bring you a huge amount of peace I am sure.

    I am also very spiritual and really believe our loved ones are in a peaceful place, free from pain and illness. I also believe they are around us in spirit which I find a great comfort. 

    It is hugely reassuring to find comfort here, when we feel we are in such a dark empty place with our grief. 

    Take care

    Waves