End of Life Arrangements for Lorita

In November of last year, my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. This won't come as a shock to anyone who has interacted with her at all in the last 2 1/2 years or so. Her cognitive abilities have been dwindling for awhile now. This was, however, just one more thing atop an ever-growing list of medical complications she's had in the last 10 years. 

In the early hours of Friday morning, my dad woke up to find my mom convulsing uncontrollably. Paramedics were able to stop the seizures, but on the way to the hospital they started up again. Neurologists at the hospital informed my dad that she had been convulsing almost continually for over two hours. She is currently being intubated in the neurological ICU at UCI Medical Center. 

For those of you who knew my mom in her youth, you will remember her vibrance and passion for life. Before her cognitive skills started to go, she always made sure her family knew that she loved life too much to see her quality of life decline to where it is now. 

For those wondering, she's still kicking, but my dad and I made the very difficult decision to honor her wishes and suspend any further rigorous treatment. When she goes, she will be at peace.

We ask that you help us give her a peaceful rest. Family is flying out to spend final moments with her, and memorial arrangements must be made. Anything anyone can do to help Lorita helps enormously.