Our Eternal Family

 Theresa Hyde 

March 10, 1963-January 10, 2012

  On Friday, January 6, 2012 our mother was admitted to the hospital.  She had completed two chemo treatments and it had really taken a toll on her.  She was very weak and tired and was having a harder time breathing.  My dad took her to the hospital with the intention of getting her fluids, rest, and maybe a blood transfusion.  When they arrived her heart rate was very high and they couldn't get it to come down.  They ordered scans and tests.  The doctor came in with the results and had taken the time to look over 8 years of mom's cancer history.  He told her that she was a miracle. He said there was mass around her heart and that the tumors had taken over her lungs to the point that it was hard to see healthy lung tissue in the scans.  He told her that they could take heroic measures- meaning pounding her chest and putting a breathing tube in- if she wanted them to, but he told her that he wouldn't feel right doing this.  He said that she had fought heroically and deserved to rest. Our mother accepted this and was at peace with her decision.
The doctors made sure that she had lots of morphine and that she was comfortable.  The morphine helped to take away the "air hunger" that she was experiencing because of the tumors. As friends and family started to find out what was going on, visitors started showing up.  It was an amazing thing to watch.  Even though she was weak, and talking and breathing at the same time took effort and energy, she called each visitor to her bedside and shared a special memory she had with them. She expressed her love and admiration for each person that came to see her.  She was so strong.  She didn't cry.  When people came in saying, "I'm so sorry" or "This shouldn't be happening to you", she assured them that all was well.  She knew where she was going and that she would be happy there.  Many people expressed that they felt they were on hallowed ground when visiting with her.  In the three days that she was hospitalized before she passed she had over 60 visitors! On top of those visitors she was able to Skype with her parents in Idaho, her brother and his family, and her son, Elder Hyde, who is serving in the Australia Adelaide mission.  What a blessing modern technology is!  As my mom talked with Alden they expressed their love to each other.  My mom told him how proud she was of him and that she wanted him to stay there.  She told him that the mission is where the Lord and his mother wanted him to be.  She told him that he will be able to bear an undeniable testimony of the Plan of Salvation.  She said that he will touch people that no one else could because of his experience.  He expressed excitement that she will not have to wait for an email every Sunday to hear how he is doing and what he is up to because she will be there watching over him.  She promised him that she would be there.
Over the three days in the hospital my mom declined rapidly.  Each day her talking became more difficult. She slept more and talked less.  We feel so blessed to have spent three days with an angel.  We were able to listen to her as she gave us advice, we were able to express our love, and remind each other of the many memories that we have and will never forget. At 12:30a.m. on Tuesday morning, January 10, 2012 my mother passed away peacefully. She was able to gather us around her and say goodbye a final time. We held her hands as she left this mortal life.  We will  miss her immensely but we are so happy for her.  She is having a grand reunion with many loved ones and is free from any pain and suffering.  We are so grateful for the knowledge that ours is an eternal family.  We will see our sweet mother again and that knowledge provides comfort and peace. 
Theresa Hyde Obituary