Monday, July 25, 2011

Just before Slipping into a Coma (昏睡)

This is Mari's account of Maria just before slipping into a coma.

Maria slipped into a coma in the early evening Monday. I visited her around 3 o'clock that day. Though Maria was barely able to speak, she could communicate her intent. I could see Maria's playful smile.

I left the hospice around 5 o'clock. Before I left I kissed on her cheek and Maria still tried to be funny. Then in a voiceless voice, she said, "This is the last time to see you, Mari." I said, "No, it isn't. I will come to see you again tomorrow. See you tomorrow." I left her room, nodding in affirmation and waving a hand. I had no doubt that I would see her again the next day.

After I left, Maria called for Yuri and said, "Tell Mr. Sasamoto, Mr. Kojima and Sayaka that I won't be able to see them anymore. I'm sorry."

Knowing that it was her time, Maria cared about her friends to the last minutes.

Then Maria talked with the physician a little. The doctor asked her, "Do you want to eat dinner?" Maria said, "I would like to."

While preparing her for the last meal, she got tired and fell asleep. She kept on sleeping for the next 4 days.

by Mari


昏睡

まりあちゃんが、眠り始めたのは月曜日の夕方、私はその日の3時くらいにお見舞いに行き、ずいぶん話せなくはなっていたけれど、それでも十分に意志の疎通ができ、茶目っ気たっぷりなまりあちゃんの笑顔に触れることができた。

私が帰ったのは夕方5時くらい。帰りぎわに頬にキスしたら、おどけて見せてくれた。その後、声にならない声で「まりちゃんとは、これで最後ね」と言った。私は「そんなことないわよ!また明日も来るから、明日ね!」うんうんと頷いて手を振ってお部屋を出た。明日もまた会えると信じていた。

私が帰ったあと、ゆりさんを呼んで「笹本さんと小島さんとさやかちゃんに伝えて。ごめんなさい、お見舞いはもう無理です。と」
もう、悟っていたまりあちゃんの最後の最後の気遣い。

そのあとドクターと少し話し、「夕飯をたべますか? 」と聞くと「食べたい」と答えた。

ベットを起こしたり、準備をする間に疲れ切って眠り始め、それからずっとずっと4日間、眠り続けた。

by Mari

No comments:

Post a Comment