Happy Easter everyone. On my way to visit Mom. Last visit I was sure she would not make it another week. Yesterday the nurse called to let me know she couldn't swallow and doctor prescribed an antibiotic for a lymph node infection in her neck. She told me Mom still has her periods of being awake and active and still trying to undo the safety belt and get out of the chair or bed. They call her the Energizer Bunny and never saw anyone like her. Half the time she is out of it, but then they can't understand how someone so completely skeletal and frail can still be alive and active and fighting other times. One minute she is sweet and complimentary to the nurses. But yesterday, when the nurse gave her a shot of antibiotic - she flipped her off! Never ever have I known Mom to do that - I didn't know she knew how!
Yep my Mom was also in denial of her age, and she feared death. And heaven forbid any doctor tell her an ailment was due to her advanced age... once in the car to go home my Mom would say "they don't know what they are talking about".
When Mom was finally in long-term-care, the nurses couldn't keep the safety belt on Mom for very long while she was in her geri-recliner... Mom would unclick that belt in an instant and try to climb out of that chair. One time I heard a nurse say "Lord, give me strength", she had a dozen of patients just like my Mom.
And my Mom didn't want the neighbors or anyone else to know she was aging. She refused to use a walker, and even didn't want my Dad to use his walker outside [Dad eventually stopped listening to Mom and used his walker outside to go down the driveway to get their mail]. I am sure the neighbors were all giving a sigh of relief to see him with that walker "finally".
You often hear stories of people who say they are ready to go... and they do! I wish I had some answers for you :(