Bruce in West Oz
New member
I just had a phone call from the nursing home where my Nanna is.
She's just slipped into unconsciousness and they feel, unless something drastic happens, she only has 48 hours left. She had a stroke about a month ago and never really recovered. We've made a conscious decision not to let her have "invasive" treatment. You'll understand why if you keep reading.
People, I'm asking for a prayer for her. But strangely enough, not for her to pull through. I just want her to go gently and without any pain or fear.
You see, she's 99 years old -- blind, deaf and suffering some senility. Grandad died in 1965, and all she's ever wanted since then has been to be with him again. I'd like that for her, too.
She's the last of the brothers and sisters who came out from England in the 1920s. They went straight from the UK to work in the wheatbelt in Western Australia, living in a tent, humping wheat in bags in the heat and dust. It must have seemed hell to them. The others all became dairy farmers -- successfully, too. But Grandad was a tradesman -- he had his own shop repairing and repainting cars, until he got thrombosis in his right arm. It eventually killed him, when the blood clot shifted suddenly and went to his brain. He was one of the kindest, gentlest people anyone could ever hope to meet.
I dreamt about him the other night -- and he was so angry with me for ever letting Nanna get so bad. I tried to explain, but he couldn't or wouldn't listen. It upset me deeply.
My Dad is in his 70s now, and not able to cope with the situation, so it falls to me as the oldest son to be strong and take the load. But I'm finding it very hard, fellas. It hurts like hell.
Sorry, this is OT, I know -- but you're like part of my family. If I can't talk to you about it, who can I talk to?
Just let her go peacefully, please.
B
She's just slipped into unconsciousness and they feel, unless something drastic happens, she only has 48 hours left. She had a stroke about a month ago and never really recovered. We've made a conscious decision not to let her have "invasive" treatment. You'll understand why if you keep reading.
People, I'm asking for a prayer for her. But strangely enough, not for her to pull through. I just want her to go gently and without any pain or fear.
You see, she's 99 years old -- blind, deaf and suffering some senility. Grandad died in 1965, and all she's ever wanted since then has been to be with him again. I'd like that for her, too.
She's the last of the brothers and sisters who came out from England in the 1920s. They went straight from the UK to work in the wheatbelt in Western Australia, living in a tent, humping wheat in bags in the heat and dust. It must have seemed hell to them. The others all became dairy farmers -- successfully, too. But Grandad was a tradesman -- he had his own shop repairing and repainting cars, until he got thrombosis in his right arm. It eventually killed him, when the blood clot shifted suddenly and went to his brain. He was one of the kindest, gentlest people anyone could ever hope to meet.
I dreamt about him the other night -- and he was so angry with me for ever letting Nanna get so bad. I tried to explain, but he couldn't or wouldn't listen. It upset me deeply.
My Dad is in his 70s now, and not able to cope with the situation, so it falls to me as the oldest son to be strong and take the load. But I'm finding it very hard, fellas. It hurts like hell.
Sorry, this is OT, I know -- but you're like part of my family. If I can't talk to you about it, who can I talk to?
Just let her go peacefully, please.
B