Friday November 29th I got a phone call from my mom informing me that my grandma had a heart attack on the Wednesday prior. We didn't think it was too severe because she hadn't gone to the doctor until the Friday. So Saturday she was in the foothills hospital for a very regular angioplasty. What happened during the angioplasty, basically when they went into her arteries to clear a blockage, they knocked the blockage into her brain and caused her to have a splatter of small strokes.
ultimately the doctor was preparing us to let go, the next Tuesday the doctor came into the waiting room where we had all been living since Saturday night. What he said was that her kidneys were failing, and they were looking into doing dialysis. That day we all went into her room and said our goodbyes to my sleeping Grandma. The doctor had made me feel like that would be her last day.
That night (Tuesday) My Auntie Julia and I stayed in the hospital waiting room, neither of us wanted to be away from her just in case.
Wednesday morning, as soon as we woke up we went into her room to check in... and something miraculous happened! We were standing beside her bed as the doctor was checking her vitals. The doctor leaned down and started saying her name rather loudly. After 4 days of her being asleep we expected no response but that is not what we received. As the doctor was saying her name, she opened her eyes and looked directly at the doctor. The doctor said, Hi Carolyn, can you blink? She did. Carolyn can you please squeeze my hand? She did. Can you wiggle your toes? She did. The doctor then proceeded to ask her a few more questions which my grandma answered with a nod of either yes or no. As soon as the doctor was finished asking questions, my grandma wanted her intubation out. So about a half hour later the respiratory therapist came and removed the uncomfortable tube from her throat, allowing my grandma to speak again. Despite the extreme pain she experienced in her throat one of the first things she said was 'Lindsay, How are you'.
That day was so special, we all got the chance to laugh and reminisce with her, and most importantly make sure she knew how much we all loved her. That night the only one who stayed with her was my grandpa. Which was truly incredible, The next morning everyone went about their regular lives, me at school, Uncle back to work and even grandma and grandpa enjoyed their tea together.
Everything from then on went very much on my Grandmas terms. She was fading fast and was told she needed to once again be intubated to which she replied absolutely not. With her husband by her side she went peacefully to sleep.
My Grandma was many things to me, horse trainer, cake maker, cheer leader. But most of all she was just plain special. I am so grateful to have had such a strong woman as a role model growing up.
Love you Grandma, Until we meet again.
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