Dignified farewell

hoW I feel for the lady having to sit and watch her sister die slowly, strapped to a hospital bed (Letters). It is so different to my experience at my mother’s deathbed in April.

At the age of almost 89, she had a massive stroke while having dinner with us all. Up until then, she had been singing and talking, and in good health, running her own home and enjoying a good life.

She was transferred to the local specialist stroke unit, but it soon became evident that she would not recover. My mother had often said that if she was ever in that situation, they should just give her an injection, and that animals are treated better than humans. But, of course, that is not possible. The family told the doctors we supported a Dignity In Dying approach to her treatment, so unnecessary medication was withdrawn and for a week until her death, she was made comfortable, her mouth kept moist, and she was given morphine and some other drugs.

The family had a chance to say goodbye and she was allowed to die peacefully and quietly. KrYstYNa rabiN, timperley, Cheshire.