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catscradle Apr. 18th, 2005 10:09 am)
catscradle Apr. 18th, 2005 10:09 am)I got a voicemail message from my sister to call her first thing in the morning. I knew immediately it wouldn't be good, she'd never asks me to call her in the morning unless it were for something like a family emergency. I called this morning and as I suspected, grandma has pneumonia and isn't expected to last more than a few days at best. This happened once before a few years ago, but they say she's much weaker now and has more complications than before. They've called in hospice. My mom is with her in Florida with my aunt and uncle. They're beginning to make the arrangements now for the funeral back in Ohio.
Grandma has been in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's for the past 7 years. She hasn't recognize her three children for 5 of those years. She's been in pain from other complications for several years now. As sad as it is that she's dying, I'd rather see her set free and at peace. My sister and I were remembering how losing control of her mind and faculties was her worst fear. If she had realized what was happening to her, she'd most likely would have killed herself. But as with Alzheimer's it tends to sneak up. You think "Okay, another good day." But eventually, you don't remember you're keeping track of them.
As for the rest of my family, they're ready to say goodbye. The past few years has been hell on my mother, flying between Ohio and Florida only to see the vacant stare of my grandma, not quite understanding who this lady was visiting her. She'd nod and smile at my mother, then inquire with the nurse who that person was while my mother was sitting there. My mother would call me in tears and actually tell me she was thankful she had a heart disease that would take her fast so she'd never linger like this.
My sister and I talked about the funeral as a celebration rather than in the dour tone of funeral lingo. A celebration of her life, of her being with grandpa again, and of the family as we gather together for the first time in about 12 years.
I have many wonderful memories of her as I was growing up. She watched us every day after school until my mom or dad would pick us up after work. She'd make us her special hot cocoa brew, which I found out later was just Quick with milk made on the stove rather than with water in the microwave. We'd play War with cards and my sister would get pissed when she lost. We'd sled down the hill in her backyard in the winter and make fun of our Floridian relatives that bought sucky sleds when they visted. She made the best. Stuffing. Ever. For all the holiday meals. She will be missed. She has been missed for a long time now.
I hope it's fast.... I hope her suffering ends soon.
Love you, grandma.
Grandma has been in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's for the past 7 years. She hasn't recognize her three children for 5 of those years. She's been in pain from other complications for several years now. As sad as it is that she's dying, I'd rather see her set free and at peace. My sister and I were remembering how losing control of her mind and faculties was her worst fear. If she had realized what was happening to her, she'd most likely would have killed herself. But as with Alzheimer's it tends to sneak up. You think "Okay, another good day." But eventually, you don't remember you're keeping track of them.
As for the rest of my family, they're ready to say goodbye. The past few years has been hell on my mother, flying between Ohio and Florida only to see the vacant stare of my grandma, not quite understanding who this lady was visiting her. She'd nod and smile at my mother, then inquire with the nurse who that person was while my mother was sitting there. My mother would call me in tears and actually tell me she was thankful she had a heart disease that would take her fast so she'd never linger like this.
My sister and I talked about the funeral as a celebration rather than in the dour tone of funeral lingo. A celebration of her life, of her being with grandpa again, and of the family as we gather together for the first time in about 12 years.
I have many wonderful memories of her as I was growing up. She watched us every day after school until my mom or dad would pick us up after work. She'd make us her special hot cocoa brew, which I found out later was just Quick with milk made on the stove rather than with water in the microwave. We'd play War with cards and my sister would get pissed when she lost. We'd sled down the hill in her backyard in the winter and make fun of our Floridian relatives that bought sucky sleds when they visted. She made the best. Stuffing. Ever. For all the holiday meals. She will be missed. She has been missed for a long time now.
I hope it's fast.... I hope her suffering ends soon.
Love you, grandma.
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I'm lost my only living grandparent when I was 8 but the impact she made on me is something I feel every single day.
Best wishes to you and your family as you deal with this.
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Thanks, I appreciate the wishes :)
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She's been dead 2 years and my heart still aches.
I'll keep you in my prayers, sweetie.
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My other grandma (Bubba) was like that. She was the one everyone loved and wanted as their own grandma. Funny thing, both of my grandmas were good friends when my parents were kids. They lived on the same street. So cookies, treats, and stern talking-tos were always shared between the households. My grandma used to tell me that Bubba was a saint, the most loving and good person she's ever met. Likewise, my grandma is beloved in my father's family.
I miss them both so much =(
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;_;
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