Mammaw

[mountainspring]

Hi All,

Mammaw is dying, I’m almost sure.  She’s taken several dives in the past 2 weeks.  She hasn’t eaten since Thursday morning and today she was refusing even water.  I was able to get her to take a couple sips every now and then, but each time she hiccup very deeply then refuse anymore.  She’s doing that now in her sleep.  She’s refused all of her morning meds this week.  I was able crush them and sneak them in some applesauce or pudding early in the week, but even that isn’t working now.   

We are under Hospice care and there are some wonderful people that work for hospice.  They’ve been helpful and supportive through all of this.  We’ve had nurses, social workers, and a chaplain working with us.  They gave me a box of liquid medications and showed me how to administer them.  We decided it’s best to keep her comfortable here at home rather than call rescue or take her to the hospital.  One of the nurses came out tonight and said it was possible that she would come out of this for a little while, but she thought the dying process had started and would continue for hours or days. 

Please pray for her and for me.   Pray that whatever is best for her will happen and that when it is her time that she will go peacefully and pain free.  And pray that I will know the right times to give her the meds she needs to keep her comfortable and pain free. 

I’m very thankful that Mammaw has lived for so long.  I feel extremely fortunate to have had her for a grandmother, and although I’m very sad right now, I refuse to be bitter because this is one area in my life where I have been very very blessed.  I'm hoping that she will wake in the morning and ask for her oatmeal,  but I think its unlikely.  I think her time is near.

[JanetLG]

Mountainspring,

I'm thinking of you, and the difficult time you are facing. I hope your grandmother is comfortable, and that you are aware you have done (and are doing) all you can for her.

Janet

[CB123]

Mountainspring,

I have thought of you so often in the last weeks and known that you had your hands full with Mammaw.  I am so very glad that you have had her for these weeks.  You and Mammaw have always reminded me of me and my grandmother, and I feel very close to you right now as you wait with her. 

Thank you for letting us know.  Thank you, thank you.  I wish I could be there to hold your hand--but know that I am holding it in spirit from far away.  I will be praying for Mammaw, and for you.  You have been so blessed to have had her.  So blessed. 

When you can, write and let us know how you are. 

Much love, MS,

CB

[Certain Hope]

((((((((((((Mountainspring)))))))))))

I am praying for you and Mammaw and for all of your household there, that God will just make His presence known amongst you and fill you all with such great peace.
I'm so glad you shared this with us here... and I hope you're taking good care of yourself. You're a very special woman, Mountainspring, and as always I admire you so very much. Please write here when you're able.

With love,
Carolyn

[Ami]

Dear MS,
  You have been so blessed to have had a wonderful Grandmother. It means so much more to us( with N parents) than the 'normal" person,I  think.
  When you took her home,I thought that you are "paying her back" for  the love and kindness she gave to you .
  I am inserting my precious grandmother in to your picture. She gave me everything  good and strong that I have ,today. She made me feel special. Also, with her , I could just be a "crazy kid" and it was  O.K.
  She gave me unconditional love. I don't remember ONE painful experience with her .It was all love, kindness and fun,too.
  MS, you gave back such a wonderful and unselfish gift to your grandmother. I am so proud of you and  glad  did  the "right' thing,even though it is hard and burdensome.
  My Grandmother died in her sleep. However, a week before, she called me-- just to talk. She never did this b/c her generation did not call long distance(2000 mile away) just to talk. She told me precious things like she knew exactly what my "hands" looked like.She said that she always noticed people's hands  I thought that it was 'strange" that she called to talk about "little sentiments". She died a week later. She was saying good -bye.. I did not realize it. I was having a fight with my H and said that I had to go. The next time I heard( a week later) she had died .
  MS, it is the circle of life. She gave you a grandmother's love and you gave back a grand daughters love.it Is so beautiful that she is there in a home-- with people who love her.You and she  are in my prayers. (((((((((((MS and Meemaw))))))))))))))
                                                                                   Love  Ami

[Hopalong]

Dear Moutainspring,

Thoughts, and love, and gentle touches to you and to dear Mamaw as she rests now.
I know how much those final chances to comfort mean...may they comfort you and her.

Love and sweet sleep to Mamaw, the lovely source of water, the clear spring, in MS' life...

Much much love and understanding to you MS as this sadness flows too, simple and clear.

(((((((Mountainspring)))))), eternal.

Hops

[teartracks]

Dearest Mountainspring,

I too have thought of you and Mammaw these last weeks.   I visualize bands of angels ministering to her as she passes and to you and your precious family as you let her go.  Thank goodness for Hospice.  They are a wonderful organization.   

My dear, you are wonderful.

teartracks

[finding peace]

((((((Mountainspring and Mawmmaw))))))

You have given Mawmmaw a truly wonderful gift.  She is in a place of comfort and peace with you. 

You are both in my prayers.

Much love,
Peace

[mountainspring]

Thank you all for keeping Mammaw in your thoughts.  She’s been in a deep sleep since my last post.  I’m not sure how much of that has to do with the process and how much has to do with the hospice meds, but she seems very comfortable.   I was playing Gaither music quietly yesterday and as this song was playing it gave me such peace.  She’s asked for her Papa and Mama so much this past month.

They say Heaven’s pretty
living here is too
but if they said I would have to choose between the two
I’d go home, going home
where I belong

Sometimes when I’m dreaming
It comes as no surprise
that if you look you’ll see that homesick feeling in my eyes
I’m going home, going home
where I belong

While I’m here I’ll serve Him gladly and sing Him all these songs
I’m here, but not for long

When I’m feeling lonely, when I’m feeling blue
it’s such a joy to know that I am only passing through
I’m headed home, going home
Where I belong

One day I’ll be sleeping
when death knocks on my door
and I’ll awake and find that I’m not homesick anymore
I’ll be home, I’ll finally be home
Where I belong

[Sela]

Hiya MS,

I will keep you and your Mammaw and family in my prayers.  The hard part is letting go, I so wish I could send you strength and light.   Please take care of you inbetween times.

That's a lovely poem and such a nice way to put it.  Going home. 

A safe and loving home awaits your Mammaw.
May her journey there be easy, if it is her time to go.

((((((((((((Mountainspring)))))))))

Sela

[lighter]

So sorry to hear you're so sad.

Your Mamaw's been a lovely person in your life and now you're giving her the gift of love and comfort in her final, years....days.....moments.

Talk to her and tell her everything you want her to know..... 

Hospice are very helpful, glad they're there for you.

Cold hands and feet will tell you her body's begun the process of shutting down.

Tell her about your days and keep sharing with her.

It'll be ok.... ((mountainspring)

[teartracks]

Dearest MS,

Pray that whatever is best for her will happen and that when it is her time that she will go peacefully and pain free.  And pray that I will know the right times to give her the meds she needs to keep her comfortable and pain free.

Just a note to say, I'm remembering you and Mammaw today.  I'm praying also, for love, strength, calm, harmony between you and all family members.

Prayers for your dad's physical needs too.

Love,
tt

 

[lighter]

I wonder how Mamaw and MS are doing: /

[changing]

Mountainspring-

I know that you are very busy and involved in a sacred time with MawMaw. Please know that I am sending love and hugs to you both.

Love,

Changing

[mountainspring]

Mammaw died this morning at 8:40.  I can't really talk right now but I am okay.