Imogene Monahan Death: Imogene Monahan, who was 78 years old, passed away. On October 3, she underwent a back surgery for which we had all been anticipating for more than a year. The surgery was elective and was designed to alleviate her severe back and leg discomfort, as well as to assist her in standing upright. She was scheduled to remain in the infirmary for a period of one to three days. However, her physiology had other ideas. A severe complication occurred during her recuperation, which was unrelated to her back. Subsequently, she has encountered setback after setback for the past two and a half weeks. She was visibly suffering and was unable to communicate meaningfully due to being intubated, and she was scarcely conscious for the majority of that time.
Krista and I convened with the trauma team on Monday to deliberate on her condition. We were sure that she would not want this for herself, based on her own wishes in a circumstance like this, the difficulty of her recovery at this point, and the bleak best-case scenario quality of life that she would experience. This was based on a new, very serious setback she had experienced that morning. Therefore, my sister and I were compelled to make the difficult decision to relinquish her.
Krista, Zoe, and I arrived at the hospital at 10 a.m. yesterday. We expressed our deepest sorrow and bid our final farewells. At approximately 11:30 a.m., she was extubated and her respirator was turned off. All of her intravenous lines were shut off. She was only subsequently administered medication for anxiety and discomfort. After that, she was completely unresponsive.
We anticipated that she would depart within minutes. She persisted for nearly 16 hours. It was unbearable for us. Her back surgeon, who was acquainted with her, was not taken aback by the extent of her resistance. We urged her to rest, as her conflict and suffering had concluded, and it was now acceptable for her to depart. She expired at approximately 3 a.m. Krista and I were both present. She merely desired the ability to remain upright in order to resume her workouts at the gym. Throughout the entirety of this ordeal, Krista and I were unable to refrain from uttering the phrase, “This was not intended to occur.” You were the most exceptional mother I have ever known. You fulfilled every obligation on our behalf. Mom, we will always adore you.
