Saying Good-bye

Many months ago I posted my thoughts about my mother's ongoing struggle with mouth cancer here: fav.me/d4p54go

Last Tuesday I learend that this is a struggle she is going to lose.  The doctors have told her she won't live beyond this summer or fall.  My mother will or would be sixty in late June.  She was born in 1952, the Year of the Dragon, the same as myself (76).  And now I am trying to figure out how to say good-bye, even as I keep hoping for some miracle, for some mistake discovered or new treatment or second chance.  And I have no idea how to say good-bye.  I suppose we all have to learn.

5-5 UPDATE:  So my sister called.  I've found out that my mother is in a great deal of pain, that the cancer was spreading rapidly even with the chemo... that she's already being fed through tubes and the cancer is in her brain.  That there really is nothing that can be done except see her while I can.

5-10 UPDATE: So, things might not be as bad as I believed.  No, my mother is still dying I am afraid, but my sister might have been wrong about how badly off she is at this stage due to her own fears.  I'll just have to keep a watch and hope.

5-17 UPDATE: So... my sister was right after all, at least on some things.  My mother is not doing well.  The cancer has reached her brain, though to what extent we're uncertain.  I have no idea how long she has left, but I am going to try to see her every moment I can.  It's difficult, because doing much of anything takes a lot out of her.