It has been a very turbulent 3 weeks. I arrived in Nebraska April 14th to see my grandmother in a coma but with a glimmer of hope when she opened her eyes. Of course not speaking due to a ventilator. The entire family had shown up from all corners of the United States to be with her during this time. We were all able to to say our hello’s , I love you’s, and whispers of encouragement for her to wake up and get back on the road to recovery.
The previous day the Nurses attempted to remove the ventilator but my grandmother only lasted 60 seconds with out it. And the morning before I arrived she last about 30 seconds.
The night was closing in and I had been there a better part of 8 hours. I whispered my own little encouragement in her ear hoping to be a beacon of strength for her even though it seemed she was unable to comprehend anything that was going on. With that and a kiss on her cheek I retired to get some much needed Z’s.
And also gave each saint statute I saw inside the hospital a touch and silent prayer for them to wake my grandmother up or walk her peacefully to heaven to be with my grandfather and other family members waiting for her.
I got up early and of course sped to the hospital to see if my words and prayers had any effect over the night.
As I walked in I was FLOORED. My spunky grandmother was AWAKE and needed to use my BlackBerry phone no doubt. Bitching and cussing as she usually did! Man seems my words and prayers may have had an effect with the guys running the show in the heavens. But it was great,. The doctors were shocked as were the nurses. There were now good talks of her going into a rehab place and getting prepped for a return home. Granted that was a good 40-60 days away to make sure her body could handle such after a traumatic event such as this. ( but the prognosis was still 20% of her heart and kidneys were active and working) not great but livable.
This rally was a great one. But as all people in the medical field know, rallies such as this only last but so long. We all had a GREAT time with her for the next 3 days. shooting the shit, I continually made her laugh and chuckle. But we could see her slight decline hour after hour. Friday we started noticing her breathing becoming labored and her strength diminishing. We were called back to the hospital late friday night and the trouble signs were back. My grandmothers lungs filled with fluid due to her heart beat fluctuation. The nurses got that under control. And we visited bright and early Saturday morning and we could see that the rally she had was definitely the last, but hoped that she would once again pull through it.
My grandmother passed peacefully Saturday April 18th at 8:40PM with us at her bedside. We are terribly saddened by this loss. But we believe she is now at peace with her husband, mother and other family members in heaven. The hospital was great at this grief ridden event. They hung a rose on her ICU window, supplied an patron saint fleece throw for her bed, and had a pastor on site for any prayers or 1 on 1 talk.
The funeral had its bumps and knocks, but overall my grandmother went in style. She had a VERY nice turnout from family,friends,neighbors and others who just knew her.
The flowers we received were beautiful. I was honored to be selected as a Pall Bearer along with my brother and cousins.
My grandmother has a GREAT view on the family hill.
And one last shot that sums the trip up . My grandmother’s close friend Alberta at the reception after the funeral, shows no matter what age you are live life to the fullest.
My grandmother WAS that motto and she will be missed, from sparky actions to cussing at me over the phone about money.
RIP GRAM! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!
Thank you all for shooting me blog comments,emails, and messages about my previous post. I appreciate them all! And you prayers obviously were felt above to allow the family one last quality time to spend with my grandmother!
