JuniorxMyxLove
03-22-2012, 05:26 PM
These past few weeks have been quite the emotional roller coaster.
Two weeks ago, my grandma was admitted to the hospital with stomach pains. A few days later, she was diagnosed with Pancreatitis and assured that within a week, she'd be home. One week after that, her pancreas began shutting down. Four days ago, she slipped into a coma and the doctors stopped treating her medically. Currently, she's in hospice care and medicated just enough to stay comfortable and pain-free. At this point, we're just waiting for her to pass (doctors don't think she has more than a few days).
My family is amazing and I don't think she's been alone in the room since she was moved to CCU last week. They've been taking shifts so there are always a few people in the room with her. I've been up whenever I can after school.
After we were told that there was basically no hope for recovery, I was kind of a mess. She's the grandparent I've always been the closest to, and the one I never guessed would leave me. Two years ago she was diagnosed with cancer in her throat that required the removal of her vocal cords, but she fought it and recovered. I guess this time around, she just couldn't do it anymore.
Today, I think I finally came to peace with the fact that I'm about to loser her. My aunt was kind enough to step out and give me a few minutes alone with her. We had a good (albeit one-sided) conversation about life and the future. She definitely squeezed my hand a few times, so I know she was listening. I'm pretty sure we agreed that she's gonna keep the creeps away from me next year at college and I promised to force my grandpa to come to my grad party (or, maybe she was just jealous of my Double Chocolaty Chip Frappucino, haha)
I refuse to remember her like this, though. Three days before she was admitted to the hospital, I went out to dinner with her (which I am SO glad I did). She was sassy and lively, just like she's always been. I keep thinking back to the time that she nailed my cousin in the head with a towel for insinuating that she was old (:p) THAT'S the grandma I want to remember.
Also, the hospital staff has been absolutely incredible this entire time. They put up with having 10+ people in her room every day, are always willing to fetch coffee for those staying into the wee hours of the morning, and have done a great job at keeping my grandpa from shutting down completely. In fact, they even got him to tell the story of how he met my grandma the other day :) They've been married since 1956...amazing.
My other grandpa and his crazy Irish brothers are probably already getting her a beer up in heaven, hehe. She'll certainly have lots of company up there!
I'm still incredibly gutted at the knowledge that this time next week, I will probably have lost my grandmother, but I think that a lot of acceptance happened from me and the rest of my family last night and this morning. It gets easier every day to go to the hospital and see her (today, my grandpa even laughed and ate a little, which is exciting). I'm so grateful that I have such a supportive, tight-knit family. I know we're making it a lot easier on each other.
Two weeks ago, my grandma was admitted to the hospital with stomach pains. A few days later, she was diagnosed with Pancreatitis and assured that within a week, she'd be home. One week after that, her pancreas began shutting down. Four days ago, she slipped into a coma and the doctors stopped treating her medically. Currently, she's in hospice care and medicated just enough to stay comfortable and pain-free. At this point, we're just waiting for her to pass (doctors don't think she has more than a few days).
My family is amazing and I don't think she's been alone in the room since she was moved to CCU last week. They've been taking shifts so there are always a few people in the room with her. I've been up whenever I can after school.
After we were told that there was basically no hope for recovery, I was kind of a mess. She's the grandparent I've always been the closest to, and the one I never guessed would leave me. Two years ago she was diagnosed with cancer in her throat that required the removal of her vocal cords, but she fought it and recovered. I guess this time around, she just couldn't do it anymore.
Today, I think I finally came to peace with the fact that I'm about to loser her. My aunt was kind enough to step out and give me a few minutes alone with her. We had a good (albeit one-sided) conversation about life and the future. She definitely squeezed my hand a few times, so I know she was listening. I'm pretty sure we agreed that she's gonna keep the creeps away from me next year at college and I promised to force my grandpa to come to my grad party (or, maybe she was just jealous of my Double Chocolaty Chip Frappucino, haha)
I refuse to remember her like this, though. Three days before she was admitted to the hospital, I went out to dinner with her (which I am SO glad I did). She was sassy and lively, just like she's always been. I keep thinking back to the time that she nailed my cousin in the head with a towel for insinuating that she was old (:p) THAT'S the grandma I want to remember.
Also, the hospital staff has been absolutely incredible this entire time. They put up with having 10+ people in her room every day, are always willing to fetch coffee for those staying into the wee hours of the morning, and have done a great job at keeping my grandpa from shutting down completely. In fact, they even got him to tell the story of how he met my grandma the other day :) They've been married since 1956...amazing.
My other grandpa and his crazy Irish brothers are probably already getting her a beer up in heaven, hehe. She'll certainly have lots of company up there!
I'm still incredibly gutted at the knowledge that this time next week, I will probably have lost my grandmother, but I think that a lot of acceptance happened from me and the rest of my family last night and this morning. It gets easier every day to go to the hospital and see her (today, my grandpa even laughed and ate a little, which is exciting). I'm so grateful that I have such a supportive, tight-knit family. I know we're making it a lot easier on each other.