Oh God, I'm so sorry!!!! <P>My Nana just got all the tests this week... bladder problems... 90 in November...<P>We're waiting... and I understand...<P>(((((Mitzi and Grandma))))) with prayers going up!!<P>------------------<BR>~Sheryl<BR>(a bit worse for the wear, but hanging in there)<P><B>Life <I>is</I> difficult</B>.<BR><I>The Road Less Traveled</I><BR>~M. Scott Peck

Thanks Sheryl,<P>I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna spend enough time with her before she dies. How do I let her know how much I love her? I really hate this. <P>Mitzi

I know Sweetie...<P>I tell Nana EVERY TIME I talk to her how much I love her... I guess that's what we need to do... maybe share memories... my Nana loves that!... things that make her feel good, since her memory (short-term) is not too good. But man, she remembers how we ate lunch at Buffums when I was 10 and it makes me feel good to see her face light up or hear her voice get stronger.<P>Love, Sheryl

Sheryl,<P>Me and my Gran talk about the past all the time. I'm a big genealogy "expert"! LOL She has a great memory and shares stories with me about when she was growing up. I love listening to her. Since she's still doing basically ok, I thought about maybe video taping her telling about her childhood and stories about her parents and grandparents that I never knew. It would be something great for me and my children. She remembers so much, like the Flu Epidemic of 1918, most of the wars, my great-great grandmother. So much that needs to be shared. <P>And she definately knows how much I love her. She had to tell me to come home today and get the boys. She told me she would be ok. They're going to discharge her either tomorrow or Friday and I promised her that I would see her as soon as she got back to the nursing home. <P>I'm glad you still have your Nana! Never forget to tell her how much you love her!!<P>Love,<BR>Mitzi

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mitzi:<BR><B>Since she's still doing basically ok, I thought about maybe video taping her telling about her childhood and stories about her parents and grandparents that I never knew. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE></B><P>GREAT IDEA!!!!!<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B>I'm glad you still have your Nana! Never forget to tell her how much you love her!!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE></B><P>Me too!!!!!!!!! And I promise, I do tell her every SINGLE time I talk to her or see her...<P>I adore her!!!!!<P>Now it's off to beddy-bye for me...<P>Big Hugs, Mitzi,<P>Sheryl

Mitzi,<P>I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma.<P>I am glad that you & the boys have some time left to spend with her. Although I didn't get to see my grandmother before she died, I spoke to her on the phone every other day, and we had wonderful conversations. I wish she could have met my son though. I think she would have had a fit over a great grandson <P>Take care, you & your family are in my prayers...<P>------------------<BR>nick<P>it's only time that heals the pain <BR>and makes the sun come out again

Hi Nick,<P>I am so glad that my kids got to know my gran! That's one thing that I always wanted. Even though Noah is only 4, I'm sure he'll remember her. They spend a lot of time with their "Great-Ma". <P>Mitzi

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mitzi:<BR><B><BR>I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna spend enough time with her before she dies. How do I let her know how much I love her? I really hate this. <BR></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Mitzi,<P>I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. <P>We recently had a similar experience, and found a great deal of help, understanding and support from a hospice program. This sounds awful selfish, but the surviving family was probably helped as much by the hospice nurse as the dying person. The greatest lesson learned was that just because an aging loved one is at times uncommunicative, maybe even disoriented, it doesn't mean that she is any less of a person. She will still sense and appreciate the loving touch, the time and the care you give her.<P>You are all in our prayers. <P>Bumper<P><BR>

Bumper,<P>Thank you.<P>We've also dealt with the hospice. And it is truly wonderful, and not selfish at all. My mom and all of her 12 brothers and sisters took care of my grandfather when he was dying in 1973. It was draining. But he got his wish and died at home. Now, my mom and aunts and uncles are older and it would be too difficult for them to take care of Gran. And they don't want the grandchildren to have to do it. So Gran will probably be in the nursing home until it gets closer to the end and will more than likely be moved to the hospice unit at the hospital. It's tough to think about but it's reality.<P>Thanks again,<BR>Mitzi

Oh, Mitzi! I am so sorry to hear the news. The video tapes are a great idea. And if she won't agree to that, then do audio tapes. Then she won't have to fuss about her appearance. One way to remove that obstacle to her talking freely and without self-consciousness.<P>I'm glad you do have some time left together. That's something I never had with any of my grandparents. <P>You know, I am the oldest person born into my grandfather's family in this part of the country. I think I have some cousins around Chicago and some in California but I don't even know their names. And my cousins here never acknowledged my son's birth. My sister and I feel like they think they are better than us. It must be wonderful to have close family. All I have is my mom and my sister. And sometimes I don't know about that sister. <P>So have a hug and some prayers.<P>((((((((((Mitzi))))))))))

It's a Long Good-bye<P>She's leaving me, little by little, <BR>I wish she wouldn't' go.<BR>I will be there as long as she needs me.<BR>How will I let her know?<P>I'd like to hold onto the memories,<BR>I'd also like to share.<BR>But she's further away, getting further away.<BR>And yet she's always there.<P>It's a long good-bye, <BR>And yet I believe that she can sense us.<BR>So much time between now and then, <BR>When it's only time against us<P>There are times she almost seems like herself.<BR>Sometimes it's just a phase, <BR>A part of the person I once knew<BR>And sometimes just a trace.<P>It's a long good-bye, <BR>And still I don't know what to say.<BR>There's so much time between now and then,<BR>Because she goes away.<P>It's a long good-bye,<BR>Tell me how do the others do it?<BR>There's so much time between now and then,<BR>How do we get through it?<P>It's a long good-bye.<P>From Alzeheimer's Association of Omaha, Nebraska News letter. Author Unknown<BR>

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bumperii:<BR><B>It's a Long Good-bye<P>She's leaving me, little by little, <BR>I wish she wouldn't' go.<BR>I will be there as long as she needs me.<BR>How will I let her know?<P>I'd like to hold onto the memories,<BR>I'd also like to share.<BR>But she's further away, getting further away.<BR>And yet she's always there.<P>It's a long good-bye, <BR>And yet I believe that she can sense us.<BR>So much time between now and then, <BR>When it's only time against us<P>There are times she almost seems like herself.<BR>Sometimes it's just a phase, <BR>A part of the person I once knew<BR>And sometimes just a trace.<P>It's a long good-bye, <BR>And still I don't know what to say.<BR>There's so much time between now and then,<BR>Because she goes away.<P>It's a long good-bye,<BR>Tell me how do the others do it?<BR>There's so much time between now and then,<BR>How do we get through it?<P>It's a long good-bye.<P>From Alzeheimer's Association of Omaha, Nebraska News letter. Author Unknown</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Mega-tears~~~~~~<P>Beautiful... and sad... and, and... <P><tears>

(((((((Mitzi)))))))<P>I'm sorry to hear about your grandma's condition. I know it hardly seems enough time to do all you can, but take each day as an extra blessing that are a gift from God. After losing someone suddenly in the past, I never got to tell her how much I loved her, or say goodbye, or just share memories with her. I know you'll see her as much as you possibly can. Sending you hugs, Dana<BR>

Thanks for the poem Bumper. It's beautiful! <P>Dana,<P>Thanks for the prayers.<P>It seems that the time I thought I was going to have with her isn't to be. The doctors said this evening that they don't expect her to make it thru the weekend. I wanted it to be quick and I didn't want her to suffer, but I'd hoped for more time. There just never seems to be enough of it. I just can't imagine my life without her. This is a person who I've seen at least every other day for the past almost 32 years. She has always been there for me when I needed her. She has given me so much joy. It's never the right time to say good-bye.<P>Mitzi

Mitzi,<P>I always feel that my words are so inadequate in times like these. Just wanted to let you know that another MBer was thinking about you and your family at this time.

Mitzi,<BR>I am so sorry. I know this is terribly difficult for you, but you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers all weekend.<P>Take care, and may God watch over you and yours...<P>------------------<BR>nick<P>it's only time that heals the pain <BR>and makes the sun come out again

Hope,<P>It's not the words you use, it's the thoughts that count. Thank you!<P>Nick,<P>Yeah, pretty difficult. But I'm hanging in there and trying to thank God that she's not going to suffer much. But at the same time, hurting because it's happening too fast. Make sense? <P>Thanks,<BR>Mitzi