Page 400 - She's One Crazy Lady!

increasing, and to have the radiotherapy which, sadly made little difference – the cancer aggressively on the move. She was to have a few more stays at Leicester.
Once back at home she now had to have carers in to help her wash and dress and any kind of travel became out of the question. Her mobility was rapidly reducing and she was very tired.
However, she was so excited and so very happy when her daughter, Sarah, in New Zealand told her she was on her way with her two children, to come and stay with her. Two nights before they arrived we had to have Marilyn’s surviving cat, ‘Lily’ (she’d had five at any one time!), put to sleep which was hugely upsetting. Lily, a beautiful petite black cat that had brought Marilyn, and everyone, so much comfort was old and had been struggling so, as hard as it was, it was the kindest and the right thing to do.
What happened next was just – unbelievable and totally distressing.
Marilyn’s health had quickly deteriorated and doctors decided she needed to be in hospital. No sooner had Sarah and her grandchildren arrived, literally only a couple of hours afterwards, Marilyn was taken by ambulance to Kettering General Hospital. How awful for Sarah! How awful for Marilyn! How awful for everyone.
Marilyn never came home.
As you will appreciate, writing about what came next is painful. Marilyn spent a couple of weeks at KGH where they monitored her
medication and keep her ‘comfortable’. It wasn’t ideal. Visits from Sarah and all her family always cheered her and she was in reasonable spirits – outwardly. She knew what the prognosis was; we all knew what the prognosis was, but she didn’t talk about it. Only when she was transferred to Cransley Hospice did she voice any concerns – and these were few and far between. She became disorientated and would get agitated and upset when it was time for anyone to leave. Her physical health, alongside her mental health further deteriorated.
Her family, her friends and I, of course, all have our own special and private thoughts and memories of those dark days spent with her but one I will always treasure was when Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth died. This really upset Marilyn and she asked if I would sit with her when the funeral was televised – having first asked if we were going to the funeral! Armed with another picnic (although she was only eating the likes of jelly and ice cream at this stage) and all set for a long vigil, I sat by her side for over eight hours. We sang the hymns, joined in with some of the readings and prayers, had a few tears and talked about the Royal Family. Those hours together were very precious and a memorable day
“Those hours together
were very precious and a memorable day in more ways than one.
”
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