Her name was Emma. She was 94.

She had a stroke around 3 am Thursday Morning. Because of a Bacterial Infection in my respiratory system (resulting in some kind of Bronchitis) I only got to go see her in hospital today.

She died around 5 pm. My brother Stephen and I were with her. She should have been at home, but that is a battle I did not have time to fight and for which I will always be sorry.

Oh, and today is Stephen's birthday. Maybe some day it can be a celebration of two lives. But right now, 2008 Sucks big time and December worst of all.

To summarize

Dec 1 - Diagnosed with bacterial bronchitis
Dec 3 - laid off from job in worldwide downsize due to market economy (by phone no less since out sick)
Dec 4 - Grandmother suffers massive stroke
Dec 5 - 58 year old friend dies of heart attack leaving behind elderly Dad he took care of (who is going to take care of him and take him to dialysis now?)
Dec 7 - Grandmother dies.


Can we bypass the next 24 days and just move on to 2009? Please!

Grandma, God bless, rest in peace, I love you.

Robi

Well, still no computer at home and now the cable is all messed up again. Did not notice it sooner since I have been practically living at my grandmothers (sleeping on a floor and 40 year old couch is not fun after 40) since August 15 when she fell. She is 92 and went from reasonably self sufficient to 24 hour care in one day. She has some mobility but needs someone around all the time.

It took three days to convince the family to actually take her to the hospital (since I was thinking mini stroke as she was no responsive and out of it a lot. She had a small fracture to her pelvis). In the joys of todays' health care, the hospital sent her home that day and ordered a follow-up nurse visit.

She was sleeping in a chair since she cannot get in/out bed. It took over a week for the VNA nurse to show and another 6 days for her sucky Doctor to fax the prescription for a hospital bed to the care agency. So basically in 3 week she has had a bed only the last 5 nights, and seen a VNA nurse 3 times plus had 2 home health aid visits. Needless to say the family (and I use that loosely, currently, as IMO my moms brothers have not stepped up to the plate at all in this regard - sorry touchy issue - venting over) has been covering most time slots. Thankfully some family friends who are nurses have lent a lot of support and guidance.

Anyway, here I work Labor day while my Mom sits another 5 hours at the house.

Roberta