Where I've Been...
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| Taken at our wedding in June 2004. |
Many of you know I've not been around this past week. My family flew down to the New Orleans area to visit with my husband's family. His grandmother was diagnosed with leukemia shortly before Christmas, and her health had been declining ever since.
My husband was hoping and praying to get to see her one more time, but he knew he would not be able to travel until school was out for Spring Break. It seemed like every week, the doctors and nurses suspected she wouldn't last the night, but she kept hanging on for week's longer than anyone expected. She's a very strong woman like that. =)
We flew in late last Monday, and were able to "visit" with her on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for a few hours. I say "visit" because by this point she was in a very non-responsive state. She could hear us, but could not communicate. She did lightly squeeze my husband's hand the first visit.
It was very hard seeing her in that condition, but the nice thing was sitting around listening to my husband chat with his Aunt's (there was a different one there sitting with her each day....she had 9 children!). They talked and reminisced and laughed about good times, and I think it was very therapeutic for everyone.
We flew back to Dallas very late Friday night, and my husband got a call that she had passed away very late on Saturday night. While it is very sad, I believe that we were all relieved in a way to see her suffering come to an end.
I'd like to ask for your thoughts, and prayers if you are so inclined, for his entire family as they work on funeral arrangements, and special thoughts for the youngest daughter Amy, who has Down's Syndrome. She is going to be living with her oldest sister now, and it will take some getting used to her new routines in a new home.
It is never easy losing a loved one, and certainly not easy seeing loved one's suffer. I just pray that everyone can remember her as she once was, as they sat around discussing at her bedside.
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4 comments:
You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. We lost my dad last summer and he hung on long enough for my brother to return from his vacation and for my uncle to arrive from Colorado. They both got into town on Tue night and my dad passed on Wed. It was hard, but we knew it was time. He had a heart attack, bypass, etc. but nothing helped. Bad thing is he had his heart attack on father's day and died 3 days later.
I hope and wish for your sister in law to adjust accordingly as it will be difficult for her to understand at first and transition. I'm sure your family will give her much love and support.
Just remember, she's always watching down on you! :)
Thank you, Debbie. =)
I'm so glad that you were able to be with her for that short amount of time. I know that it will be hard on him not going back for the funeral, but the time he was there beforehand and the years before is way more important anyway!
I am so sorry for yours and your family's loss Amanda. I am glad to hear that you were all able to visit with her though, I know this meant a lot to everyone in your family.
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