My Grandma Esther passed away on July 9. My sister and I had our flights booked to go see her on July 11. Obviously, plans changed...
My grandma was 87 years old and doing alright considering her age. On June 30, my aunt Amanda took Grandma to the doctor for a regular check up. Grandma had been experiencing circulation problems and blisters were forming on her legs and feet due to fluid build up. The doctor decided that he wanted to do some testing to see where some stints could be inserted to help circulate the blood in her legs and feet. The doctor decided that since it was a holiday weekend, that it would be a waste of time to admit Grandma for the testing until after July 4.
On July 5, Aunt Amanda took Grandma to the hospital to be admitted for the testing. While they were waiting for the room, I spoke to Grandma on the phone. She seemed happy and a little tired of waiting. They got in her room around 5:00 PM and ordered dinner and got Grandma settled in for the night. She was a little confused and somewhat dizzy. Grandma fell while trying to get to the bathroom that night. The nurses set up a little portable toilet next to the bed and instructed her to call for assistance if she needed to get up.
On July 6, the doctor decided that Grandma's kidneys weren't functioning well enough to do the testing. They decided that they would change some medications and add some fluids to increase the kidney functioning for testing on Thursday, July 7. That evening, her kidneys were functioning well enough for testing and it was decided it would begin the next morning.
On July 7, the nurses woke Grandma for breakfast. She was dizzy and began throwing up blood. The doctors weren't sure what was going on and thought maybe it was a stomach ulcer or another GI problem. They began a fluid that would coat her stomach to make her more comfortable. That night, they also gave Grandma a blood transfusion.
On July 8, the vomiting stopped but Grandma was just not feeling right. She was sleeping alot and having pain. The doctors began morphine.
On July 9, Grandma was still on the morphine and an anti-anxiety medication as well to help her relax and sleep. My aunts Amanda and Emilie began looking at health care places that Grandma could stay at following the testing and possible stint surgeries. They also met a really nice hospice nurse. The nurse met Grandma as well. The doctors and nurses helped my aunts to realize that Grandma was not in any condition to undergo any testing or surgery. She was still on the morphine and needing it much more often than the hospital allows. The decision was made to take Grandma to hospice. Aunt Emilie rode with Grandma in the ambulance to the hospice and told her they were going home.
At the hospice, a nurse was talking to my aunts telling them about the services they offer and explaining that they could stay the night if they wanted to. Another nurse was tucking Grandma into bed. The nurses caught each others' eyes and told my aunts it was time to say good bye. Amanda and Emilie stood by Grandma and held her hand as she took her last breaths. Grandma passed away less than an hour after being admitted to hospice. My aunts said it was the most peaceful they have seen Grandma in a long time and they are so thankful to the wonderful nurses at the hospice.
Nobody is really sure why Grandma had such a decline in health so quickly after being admitted to the hospital for routine testing. My aunts believe that Grandma felt comfortable and safe in the hospital and hospice and felt it was ok to let go. Grandma had been falling down a couple times a week and she was losing weight. She was also having a hard time getting up in the morning and taking her medications. She had lots of nurses and helpers coming to her house during the day while Aunt Emilie went to work.
I love my Grandma so much and I miss her. I hate that my sister and I missed seeing her by less than 48 hours, but I think it was for the best. We can remember her in her own home and healthy. I don't think I would have wanted to see her in pain or in the hospital. I am thankful for the times we got to spend with her and I know she is in Heaven now.
When my mom died in 1998, my Grandma kept saying that she wished it was her because she had already lived a long life. Grandma got 13 more years here on Earth and I cherish those times with her. I hope she is with her husband and my mom and that she is happy.
