Well, the news wasn't so great. There was a mass in Gram's abdomen that has been identified as cancerous. She's 93, so there aren't a lot of options here. Surgery is almost a 0% possibility and of course chemotherapy at this stage would do more harm than good. Gram's doctor, obviously, has given us this information, and she feels that hospice care is the best option.
Gram seems pretty at-peace with the whole situation, and is examining all her choices for said Hospice care. It's just so sad, though, because she really, really enjoys life and it's always (and I honestly mean always) been a pleasure to live it with her. Being philosophical is fine and all, but still, there's just that little bit of, you know?
The family has promised to honor her every wish. She hasn't lost a step in her mind, and she is sharp as a tack (even if you should happen to wake her from napping, she's right on her game). So this is not a case of deciding what's best for someone, but rather, doing our very best to see that she gets what she decides is best for herself.
I'll be by to update again on this. Just please ask God to keep her pain at a minimum. Oddly enough, she doesn't seem to be in much at all, at least for the moment. But let's ask that it stays that way, ok?
So sorry for the unpleasant news. I hope your grandma is able to figure out what she wants and does not experience too much pain. She's lucky to have you make things easier and more pleasant.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like she has led a full and happy life. 93 is quite an accomplishment.
((((Hugs))))
2008 has been a tough year. You have been so blessed to have been apart of this amazing lady's life. Hold on to that Jimmy. HUG
ReplyDeleteHow nice that Gram is still of good mind and able to decide how and what she wants in the sunset of her life. I pray for the same grace, when I am older! She's in my thoughts and prayers! You are a jewel to be so loving and kind! Blessings, Lisa
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear of the sad news, but it's good that your grandma is accepting and at peace.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Gram. Glad she is full of life and loves every second. She has lived a wonderful life from what I am getting from you and her being at peace will keep you all that way too. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Luv ya JP!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the sad news today. : (
ReplyDeleteI don't even know what to say. Really.
ReplyDeleteThis just sucks. It isn't fair and sometimes nothing can make us feel better at all.
Hopefully, knowing how many friends you have that do care about you (myself included) will ease the pain.
Nance
I'm so sorry! I'll keep her in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteJimmy, I hope you can take comfort in the fact that she has lived such an active life right up until now. It would be so hard on someone like her to be sick for a very long time or to have lived her last 5 or 10 years NOT being active. I hope I get to go out that way...active right up until the end. Although it makes it hard on her family to see her stopped so suddenly in her tracks, how wonderful for her that she got to play it out that way. Know what I mean? I see so many patients much younger than your Gram who have no quality of life and are just miserable and waiting to die. She hasn't done it that way. That's a powerful testiment to her. If her family allows her to do it her way, well, that would be an even greater gift for her. Enjoy every ninute you have with her, let her know how you feel about her and don't hold back on saying allll the things you want and need to say to her. We've talked about this before' so many times family memebers are afraid to say those things until it's too late. Give her that gift....and in so doing, you'll give yourself the biggest gift of all. No regrets.
ReplyDeleteYou're all in my prayers and I'm so glad that Gram has a grandson named Jimmy.
Hugs,
Melissa
I am so sorry for you that you will soon kiss somebody you love goodbye.....but on the other hand, your Grandmother is still teaching you HOW to live with dignity. You are often in my prayers Jimmy. Hugs to you. Anne
ReplyDeleteAlthough I obviously would rather she recovered, I do like the idea of a 93-year-old dying while she still really loves life. People who don't have had a long, sad time getting to that point and it's wonderful she isn't in that place.
ReplyDeletesending lots of hugs and good thoughts
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother's news. Sending you all my best wishes & thoughts.
ReplyDeleteJimmy, I am very sorry to hear that the news was not good news. I will make sure to keep her in my prayers. Linda
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about Gram. You and your family will be in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteYou know, my granddad passed away from stomach and esophageal cancer in 2002. While he should have been in enormous amounts of pain...he never was. Not once.
ReplyDeleteThe doctors were dumbfounded.
Perhaps it will be the same for your dear grandma.
I'm keeping you all in my thoughts.
XOXO
Sorry to hear the news. I pray that she will remain pain free.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry your Gram has this evil disease. My mother died of cancer but she had hardly any pain, just felt sick all the time. I hope your Gram decides what's best for her and can go peacefully when her time comes. My prayers are with you, her and the whole family at this sad time. Jeannette xx
ReplyDeleteOh I'm definitely praying the requests you've asked of. She sounds like a fabulous woman! If we could all strive to be more like her it sounds like, this world would be a much better place.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless and praying for no pain.