With me it was my mother, so I really hear your pain. Is there any way you can not live with her? Cos I know there's no way I'd go back to living with my mother. Just staying with her for a couple of weeks is bad enough. Even when she's out the house, it still reeks of her.
Yes, that's exactly it. Reeks of her and her mother also, who is here.

I feel like they are sustaining themselves through me.

There is a chance she could be gone around Christmas but I don't wish to ..... can't think of the word ... just need to take it as it comes.