Visited a friend in the hospital this morning. Her sister had called a woman from church and asked though originally no visitors were requested, she discovered my friend did better with visitors. So, I got a call on Friday and agreed to go Saturday at 10:00. I'm glad I went. I stayed two hours, and much of that time my friend was resting. She was waiting for a nurse or doctor to do something to help her shortness of breath. I crocheted part of the time, and read for a few minutes. I asked a nurse if anything was being done for the shortness of breath (she was waiting on the doctor then). I sat and waited - in case my friend needed me for something. I helped untangle a phone cord, and when she asked I helped her with her pillow. I was glad she asked me for help - I was there to help her, whether that was to reach something or just be a "familiar presence" she was glad to have there. I stepped out to give her some privacy at one point, and the doc finally showed up and went into the room. I overheard the doctor asking her / verifying that if she had trouble breathing she did not want to have a tube in her throat (intubation) - even if it meant dying without it. Also, that she didn't want chest compressions or shocking. My friend said she did not want those things. Back at the nurses' station, the doctor told the nurse that my friend definitely was "dni." When she was ready, I went back into my friend's room for the last few minutes of my visit. We agreed it was time for me to leave when a nurse told her she was going to come in for a scan - good point for the "parting of the ways" according to my friend. When I left, I told her I'd come again. She told me I was supposed to say that I was looking forward to see her at home...so I did say that. She figured I'd not come tomorrow (Sunday) but said she'd see me next week. (I would have gone tomorrow but I did find out tonight that two others were lined up to see her tomorrow.) An aide was also going to come in with a friend and help straighten the bed and get my friend more comfortable - she wasn't very comfortable at all (not that hospital beds are very comfortable, nor hospitals good places to get rest). I'd just e-mailed my sisters, and some friends scheduled to see her tomorrow, and I got a prayer chain e-mail. It said that my friend had passed suddenly, but peacefully, into glory. To this I will add - she has finally found comfort and can breathe freely. I'm glad I had the privilege to go see her today, and I do look forward to seeing her at Home. (I am praying for her family. She had been taking care of her husband.) | 
