difficult time for all concerneddivaflipDecember 13 2005, 02:14:09 UTC
so sorry to hear about your grandmother. Mine died about a year ago. She had been fine at my brother's farewell when he went overseas, walking around and chatting to everyone. 3 weeks later she went into acute renal failure. It was a few days after her 91st birthday when she passed away. Mum and her sister took it badly, but they also said it was something of a relief as for the last week she was in a lot of pain
( ... )
on a slightly different note, if you ever would like me to do a card making workshop with Lilly, let me know. I can do a kids level tutorial for her, just some basic techniques that she can repeat when she is with you (ie no specialist tools involved). I have a portable kit, so I could come to you, or else you can trek over for a visit and also see the cats ;-)
Don't worry about confronting me :) I'm somewhat robust...
My parents had a close friend who died of a tumour about 6 months after I was diagnosed, they introduced me to him. He was a very nice guy... it was actually almost comforting to watch him deteriorate; it gave me a much better idea of what to expect and look out for in myself. Exhaustion, aphasia, dyslexia, twitches, repeating himself, "absence", other short term memory problems... towards the end he mostly slept, dosed up on painkillers.
That aside, my sympathies for your grandma's situation. You know the drill so I won't labor the point, but remember to care not just for her but for your Mum and aunt as well - they may well take it harder than your Grandma and it's important you support them too.
When I was young, my mohter's good boss died of a brain tumor. She said that he never seemed to be in pain, but instead basically went "senile" before he also was given medications.
A book that I read years ago is called Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther, Sr. It describes what his 19(?) year old son went through. It is actually quite uplifting and John Jr. was very strong through the whole thing. He managed to graduate school, enter college and even wrote a letter and received a response from Albert Einstein. By their description, he was a biology/science genius. I recommend it as a good read.
"A book that I read years ago is called Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther, Sr."
I'll check it out - the only one like that I've read was Lance Armstrong's book; which was OK. More of an insight into the mind of a great sportsman than on cancer...
This one gives a glimpse of the courage of John while he dealt with multiple surgeries, daily bandage dressings, etc. He never let the cancer get him down despite the odds that he faced. I don't remember exactly how long his ordeal was, but it was a few years at least.
If you like, I'll be happy to send you my copy of it. Let me know. If so then I'll get the address from smokedamage. That way you won't have to search around for it.
I'm sorry to hear about your grand mother. I hope she is comfortable and will be with loved ones when she dies. At 89 its enevitable, as you said, but death is still difficult to deal with.
Grandma Olive always seemed frailer to me than Grandma Dortha. I know you will do the best thing, in all respects. I am sorry that this is happening. Send them all my best. I was never part of your family, but they always seemed to be strong for each other.
have a good christmas mate, i'll be working, as i work for jews who asked me if "Christmas is the last thursday of the month right? Fuck, what do i know, i'm a jew!" :)
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My parents had a close friend who died of a tumour about 6 months after I was diagnosed, they introduced me to him. He was a very nice guy... it was actually almost comforting to watch him deteriorate; it gave me a much better idea of what to expect and look out for in myself. Exhaustion, aphasia, dyslexia, twitches, repeating himself, "absence", other short term memory problems... towards the end he mostly slept, dosed up on painkillers.
That aside, my sympathies for your grandma's situation. You know the drill so I won't labor the point, but remember to care not just for her but for your Mum and aunt as well - they may well take it harder than your Grandma and it's important you support them too.
But you already knew that...
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A book that I read years ago is called Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther, Sr. It describes what his 19(?) year old son went through. It is actually quite uplifting and John Jr. was very strong through the whole thing. He managed to graduate school, enter college and even wrote a letter and received a response from Albert Einstein. By their description, he was a biology/science genius. I recommend it as a good read.
Reply
I'll check it out - the only one like that I've read was Lance Armstrong's book; which was OK. More of an insight into the mind of a great sportsman than on cancer...
Reply
If you like, I'll be happy to send you my copy of it. Let me know. If so then I'll get the address from smokedamage. That way you won't have to search around for it.
Reply
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have a good christmas mate, i'll be working, as i work for jews who asked me if "Christmas is the last thursday of the month right? Fuck, what do i know, i'm a jew!" :)
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