My mum, my beautiful mum had a devastating stroke whist I was on holiday in Cyprus – the longest flight in my life. She had vascular dementia, was 71 years old and in a care home. I stayed with her for 10 days. Day and night holding her hand, sleeping in her bed, singing songs, massaging her hands with essential oils, playing her favourite music. She was never alone, family came and went to say their goodbyes, the priest blessed her but she clung to life. My youngest daughter said her goodbyes but my son and other daughter were away and did not know she was dying. She needed to hear their voice so I rang them and they spoke to her. She heard, and that night she died holding my hand while I was sleeping. It was maybe the longest 10 days of my life but so precious.
