[DanL]

I am really sorry to hear about your mother's low point. I recently read a passage from a book by Viktor Frankl that speaks about our ability to deal with and overcome hardship, especially when there is not a pre-defined end in sight. The people that survive seeming impossible situations tend to have one thing in common - they have a reason why they must succeed - whether it is to complete the next day's job, to go on the trip of a lifetime, to see the children or grandchildren grow and get married, or simply to feel better and challenge themselves toward that goal.

I know that this focus has really helped me - I have three younger daughters and a wife that I love dearly. I could not bear the thought of not waking up to them and seeing them grow up and grow old. I have to survive each and every day, get better each day so that I can live a happy and fulfilled life and to some extent, even enjoy the difficult times, like after a terrible fight, or a bad day with the teenage daughters - I always want to see what will happen next, and find these negative events fun, and a chance to be introspective and view life from an entirely different point of view. Teenage behavior becomes amusing instead of challenging. It brightens my day even when things are at the worst (from an outsider's perspective)

I hope that you will be able to help her find her why - gently - but definitively. If she has a purpose, she will come out of the negative mindset and will succeed.

The other piece -keep moving. Don't let pain or discomfort slow her down. Acknowledge the challenge, give it wide berth, but do not let it win. Refocus on the goal, even if it is only to walk up and down the hallway a few times.

I wish you and your mother strength, luck, and fortune.