Kuya's mother died Sunday night. When he moved her here instead of putting her into a nursing home in the USA it was to care for her with family: stage 4 cancer and renal failure.
But actually the terminal event was the virus going around:(Influenza?)
It put me into bed for four days, and everyone had it. so despite using gloves and masks, she started with the fever and flu symptoms and just got weaker and weaker. We kept her hydrated but she would only take fluids (ensure and clear liquids) so we didn't hospitalize her. But the last two days she just became weaker and she slipped away Sunday evening while I was watching her so her son, who was sitting with her could get a meal.
it is usually cool this time of the year, but with El Nino it has been as hot as the hot season that usually starts in January. And so there have been a lot of deaths of the elderly in the area, maybe from the heat making their diabetes and high blood pressure worse, or maybe from this virus going around Asia (Our granddaughter had it in Thailand where many are also sick).
well, anyway, it means setting up the viewing in our meeting room where the Baptist church meets.
The pastor moved his stuff out for the casket and seats and tables so visitors can eat. We also have to clean up the guest rooms upstairs for family that is visiting.
Usually people visit and eat and talk until the formal service and burial.
Since she was Baptist, the usual outside tent where the men play cards and drink beer so they can stay awake all night keeping watch is not being done. So last night I was alone on the night shift from midnight to 4 pm to keep watch.
some of the family arrived today and will arrive tomorrow. Burial is Saturday if the funeral association can arrange her internment.
So anyway, blogging will remain slow for the next few days.
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this video is from a Yank who blogged about the customs here:
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