Crossing to the Other Side

Last night we had some hope that my husband’s 101-year-old Aunt Zelda had not had a stroke after all.  His cousin, who is a doctor living in Chicago, went to see her and reported perfect symmetry in her body, unlike what one would expect in a stroke victim.  But she remained unconscious. 

Today they removed the ventilator and she continued to breathe.  But the neurologist who saw her confirmed that she had indeed suffered a massive stroke.  He said she has a herniated brain, as a result of the stroke, usually a fatal condition.

She currently hovers between life and death, which may come in 2 hours or 4 days.

After recently reading about the Belgian man who had been in a coma for 23 years and had been able to hear everything going on around him for all that time, I wonder just what is going on in Zelda’s herniated brain, which was sharp as a tack as recently as 3 days ago. 

She’s always hated the medical profession.  So if she could speak, I’m sure she would have a few choice words for those caring for her.

But in many ways, it’s the best way for her to go.  She never wanted to be totally incapacitated or dependent on others.  This brief period of transition will not last long.

I so wish I could know what this in-betweenness is like.  I wonder if you actually spend time in both worlds as death gradually approaches.

The question of the day is what Zelda’s Hebrew name is.  She has no immediate family since she never married.  She managed to outlive anyone who might know.  I suppose the rabbi who conducts her funeral will simply give her a name to take away if that question remains unanswered.