the call

Yesterday I spent the day with my Blomgren family at my Dad's bedside at St. Mary's in Rochester. He was so well cared for by all the staff--the many doctors, residents, therapists and especially nurses. He was in room 7-512 from early morning on Friday until late evening Sunday.

On Thursday night, he fell from his bed and broke his right arm, two right ribs and his pelvis. He was airlifted to St. Mary's and was put onto a respirator and many lines of IVs to help keep his heart going strong. He thankfully had written an advanced directive stating that he didn't want to have his life extended beyond what God intended. Our family kept him on his life-saving  devices (ventilator, IVs, his internal defibrillator) until his five children all had a chance to come and see him and say goodbye. At about 2:15pm yesterday, Kurt, Mom and I were there when the ventilator and IVs were removed and his internal defibrillator was turned off. 

He spent several hours breathing and beating on his own. I heard him whisper a few words including saying a"yes" to my questions if he was in pain. He was given several doses of pain meds including morphine and he slept beautifully. There were a few times he woke and seemed to have some struggles with breathing, but his nurses, Carrie, Ariel and Stephanie really advocated for the liberal use of pain meds. After a heaven affirming sunset, at 9:45pm, Mom, Kurt and I opted to head back to our hotel to settle in for the night knowing we could get a call from nurse Stephanie at any time. At 10:47, Stephanie called to let us know she thought Dad was taking his last breaths. She was right and reported that she held his hand as he passed from this life onto the next. Kurt arrived in the room about 2 minutes after he had passed with Mom and I not far behind. He looked so peaceful and like he was in no pain on is way "home". 

To the nurses, Carrie, Ariel and Stephanie. We will never forget you and your amazing ability to connect with our family and give our Dad the most incredible journey to the other side. We felt that you listened to us and advocated for our Dad. Carrie gave us a hug as she left her shift and said that we were "the best family ever". It meant so much to us. Stephanie, congratulations on your news and may your growing baby be as beautiful and strong as her Momma.