Tuesday, November 18

Update 2 on Aunt May

Aunt May is still hanging on. She is failing though. The nurses didn't think she would live until this morning, but she made it. She hasn't eaten anything since I fed her some applesauce on Sunday night, nor has she drank. She is badly dehydrated, but resting comfortably most of the time.

They have taken her off the morphine, as she was having hallucinations. They are giving her a potent drug (can't remember the name) that doesn't have those types of side effects. She gets a pain shot every four hours but the nurse told us she can administer it an hour either way. So if she is in pain, it can be given every three hours and if she is asleep and comfortable, they can wait for five.

The nurses on pallative care are so sweet. They tell us what is happening with her and talk to her when they go to her bed and tell her exactly what they are going to do. When the nurse gave her the pain shot, it made her uncomfortable for a few moments, but then she drifted off to sleep.

When I picked the boys up from school on Monday, Brandon wanted to know if Aunt May had passed. I told him no, she is resting comfortably. He said, "Boy, she must be a strong lady." I told him yes, she is and she always has been. When she got knocked down, she got right back up and kept going. Then I explained that this is a great way to go through life. Never give up and when something happens, just keep on trying. A great lesson for him and he is amazed. He asked me to tell her what he said and I did. She acknowledged by a tiny smile.

She knows we are in the room and she knows when we speak to her. However, she isn't talking at all and just flutters her eyes or gives a tiny smile when we talk to her. We've all said our goodbyes and told her that it's okay for her to go. Some people need to know it's okay to pass.

What great lessons Aunt May has taught me in life. I will certainly miss her phone calls and the fun we had together, but can't wish her to stay and suffer. I told her today to shut her eye and rest easy in Jesus' arms. She gave a tiny sigh and drifted back to sleep.

My apologies to those who have sent cards. I just haven't had time to be online much. I have 25 cards now that will be forwarded to my soldier for the Christmas card shower. I have taken photos but won't be posting them until I have more time. Thank you also to those who are particpating in the Christmas book swap.


I will post about Aunt May as time permits and will get the cards off when I can. Anyone who wishes to can still send a card. I will be sending out a second mailing later.

Thank you for all the loving comments and support as our family goes through the difficult process of saying goodbye to Aunt May. Each sentiment is greatly appreciated. ~Blessings, Mary~

29 comments:

  1. Brandon -and you -are both so right about your Aunt May being a very strong lady! The process you and your family are dealing with right now is so familiar to me -sounds so much like my Dad's baby sister who just passed this past April, four days after her 91st birthday. But the family had been told back, just before Christmas, that it was unlikely she would/could last more than perhaps 3-4 days and yet, she made it four months beyond that. It is amazing how much inner strenght some people do have, isn't it?
    Prayers for all of you, especially for your Aunt May though, that the passage be as peaceful as is medically possible.

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  2. Sending you love and prayers my dear friend.

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  3. Thanks for the update on Aunt May. I like what Brandon said about her, and it is a good way to live life - just keep going! You are all in my prayers as you wait.

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  4. Your Aunt May is proving that she is a strong person,what a blessing she will be as a Guardian Angel for some one. My parayers are with you and all of your family.

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  5. Mary I just want to say that I understand what you're going through with Aunt May. My grandparents were exactly the same in their old age. It's awful to think like this but sometimes (and although I have great memories of my grnadparents) it's easier that they pass on quietly and peacefully so they aren't lingering or in pain anymore. *hugs*

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  6. How sad; it makes me think of passings that I have witnessed. it's so much like my mother -- not eating or drinking for the last few days. Sigh.

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  7. That is great that Brandon saw that in his great aunt. A good lesson!

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  8. Bless her sweet heart...... the word of God tells us that the Father rejoices at the death of a saint...... HE stands ready to rejoice!

    I pray for you sweet Mary as I know you are close to her and for your Mom......... hugs to you all......

    Jean is holding steady but as with Aunt May..... they are just keeping her comfortable !

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  9. My heart goes out to you all.
    Praying for your Aunt to be at peace and for your family as they walk through this.
    Love you girl....praying and sending hugs.
    Makes sure you are getting rest when you can.

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  10. She is indeed a very strong person. Makes you wonder how much a body can take before finally giving up. My prayers continue to be with her and the rest of you...even having accepted that she will soon be gone, it won't be easy on any of you once it does happen. Sending you a big hug. xoxo

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  11. Aunt May sounds like a lovely woman. Obviously very strong but at the same time genuine and loving. You will have many, many wonderful memories to cherish when she is gone. I pray her journey will be comfortable, peaceful, and pass quickly now. You are all in my thoughts.

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  12. I am praying for all of you as your go through this....Blessings...m..

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  13. Praying for you and your family, Mary. Hugs to you.

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  14. I'm glad that you are updating on your Aunt May as time allows you to do so Mary. This must be a grueling time for all.

    May she ever so gently fall into his arms soon and not suffer any longer.

    She is your rock. And your grandsons are learning well what life is all about.

    Take care, don't forget to breathe and watch out for yourself too, in this time.

    Prayers, hugs and deepest thoughts to you and yours.

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  15. PS....with tears, I read through what Mike posted and that is just one loving response to all this. I love that comment.

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  16. Thanks for the update. Aunt May, you, and your entire family continue to be in my prayers.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  17. I'm glad you are able to be there with her in these last days.
    Mama Bear

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  18. I pray for strength for the family as you watch and wait for your dear Aunt May to join Our Savior in Heaven...
    {{Hugs}}
    Mimi

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  19. Thank you for keeping us updated on your Aunt May. I have prayed for her for quite some time and I hope her time here is short and that she can go home to her heavenly Father. It's hard for those left behind but what joy for her to be whole and happy again in heaven. My prayers are for you too Mary as I know this has been hard for you. Having been through it myself I know what you are going through. Take care and know that we all care! xoxo

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  20. Wandering how you are and of course how you Aunt is doing.Praying for all.
    Love you girl.

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  21. Thank you for the update, and you know I will be continuing to pray for her and your family.

    Blessings and prayers to you,

    Love, Jess

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  22. This is such a hard time right now in your life!! It is so sad that this is going to happen to us all but this is one part of life that does not scare me at all because I know where I am going!! Take care Mary...

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  23. Aunt May and your family are still in my thoughts and prayers.

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  24. Mary
    Aunt May reminds me of my Mother and she too had to have someone to tell her it was okay to go ahead of us. My sister was the one who told her this and later that evening she went on her journey. When I read someone like this I always remember Emily Post's writing about "I heard a fly before I died". Peace be with you and your family.

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  25. Mary,

    This is so sorrowful - but I'm thinking of you and your Aunt May. Soon she will find peace.

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  26. I'm sorry about your aunt May. It's so hard to lose those we love and when it is long and drawn out it seems a lot harder. Like having to say good-by over and over again. I pray her passing into the Lords arms will be peaceful and the Lord will comfort all who love her.
    Gos bless

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  27. Mary,
    I'm adding Aunt May to my prayer list along with you, her family....

    God grant you strength as you minister to her...Betty

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  28. REally wondering how things are with you and Aunt May. I'm sure it's not good or easy, since you have not been here for several days. Thinking of you!

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  29. Mary, how is Aunt May doing? I've been thinking about her today.

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