Happy thoughts?

adventureisoutthere · October 2012

Hey Ladies,

My mom just called me at work.... my grandma's in the hospital She's almost 86, and since my dad passed away last december, she's gone downhill fast. She hasn't taken really good care of herself for the last few years, but after dad passed that aged her about 5 years, and she seemed to take even worse care of herself. She pretty much lives on black coffee and cigarettes, and doesn't eat much of anything. I never met my grandpa, he passed when my dad was 16, so she's been on her own and independent for the last 40 years, therefore you can't tell her anything, help her with anything. We've tried suggesting home care for her, but she wouldn't go for it. She's about 4'6'' and last my mom told me she weighed less than 80lbs.

She was supposed to go for thanksgiving to my aunt and uncles and didn't, said she didn't feel well. Then, my other uncle was going to take her grocery shopping, and when he showed up, she could hardly move, and hadn't eaten the food they bough for her the week before. So they called an ambulance. They're going to keep her for a few days and run some tests, and she IF she can even go home. I doubt they'll let her go back to her place by herself. I don't think she'll make it out of the hospital. She HATES hospitals, because before my grandpa passed they spent a lot of time there. I have this sneaking suspicion she's going to give up on life.

We've kind of been expecting this, after my dad passed we all said we'd be surprised if she made it another year, but that doesn't make it any easier. She's my last living grandparent.

Anyway... i'm a little sad at work now. Needed to talk to someone.... called H, and talked to him quick... and since they've like "outlawed" cell phones at work I cant text my best friend, so you guys are the next best thing!

I'm pretty sure the not being able to smoke like a pack a day in the hospital is also going to do her in... she's been smoking for a million years, and pretty much chain smokes in her apartment. (She's lived there for 25 years, it's never been painted, the walls are YELLOW... H and I can't spend more than about half an hour in there with her because it's hard to breathe) I'm sure that's going to throw her body into shock... and she won't get as much coffee as she normally drinks either....

My mom and dad were living in the same place as my aunts/uncles and grandma, but mom moved about 3 months ago. Luckily, this week, she's gone back to visit, so she's going to be able to go see her. However, my dad's family kinda sucks, because they knew my mom was in town, but no one called her to tell her grandma was in the hospital. Mom called my aunt, because she hadn't been able to get a hold of grandma and was going to go visit. Then my aunt was like oh yeah, we took her to the hospital... frick...

Anyway, sorry this has rambled on.... thanks for reading ladies!!

littleshrink · October 2012

Very sorry to hear about your Grandma. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

mancila60 · October 2012

This is so sad to hear. Praying for you and your grandma. I know this is hard to hear but maybe she would be better off. You don't want her to live and be miserable but at the same time you don''t want her to suffer either.

We went through something similar with my grandmother about 6 years ago. She had quit eating and just stopped trying granted she is blind but still. We ended up putting her in a nursing home thinking she would only last a few months and 6 years later she is still living.

Don't give up on her yet. And if you need anything remember we are all here for you! Keep us updated. Prayers and good vibes being sent today.