These are quotations from my mother during the last two months of her life. She spent the majority of this time on phenomenal amounts of opiates, opioids and antidepressants and was subject to hallucinations and paranoia.


"I don't understand what I did ... how I got to be here."

"The nights are the worst. I don't know why they are so bad, but I get scared."

"How many letters make up a shirt?"

"It's time for John to come home."

"I'm clearly on some sort of level system. You can tell by the quality of the food."

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

"I don't know why the doctors are so angry with me."

"I think we should talk to someone about the benefits of just letting go."

"Enough is enough. I think I'm ready."


The last intelligible words she uttered, minutes before dying:

"I Love you."