Donna??

I'm sure she is fine. She was Stage 1, wasn't she? So I guess this break can't be kidney related. Enjoying summer, or other issues, but hopefully not health related!

marosa said:

And I was wondering about Brenda...

It's been months since she posted last.  Thinking about her. Anyone have news?

I have been thinking of Brenda, it's been a while. . .

Thanks donna_lee! Hope we hear soon!

Jan

I'm sorry I haven't checked in for a while.  And thank you for the personal messages.  As many of you know, my mom has suffered many years from Alzheimers.  We lost her recently.  She spent the last few years of her life cared for in a wonderful facility (Silverado) in California, by my brother.  About a week before her passing she had "an event".  Not sure if it was a heart attack or stroke but something major.  My husband kept telling me to fly out but I didn't feel it was necessary....until I started getting calls from the hospice nurse, chaplain and family saying she kept calling out my name.  So, I made my flight arrangements.  My brother picked me up at the airport & we went directly there.  With us in her room was Adam, her nurse that cared for her in her last few years.  I got very close to my mom, touched her arm and said, mom, it's Donna, I'm here.  She opened her eyes and looked directly at me and smiled the biggest smile we'd seen in years!!  Of course, we all cried.  That was the last time she opened her eyes.  I guess she really was waiting for me.  When I left 2 days later Adam & I hugged as we knew it would be the last time we'd see each other and we cried again as he said that was a moment that would stay with him forever.  As it will me.  She passed the day after I left.  Then the day after I got home my husband had to have back surgery.  I've been busy now being caregiver to him, as he was to me after my kidney surgery.  Since we had to bring my mom back to Illinois for burial, that process takes some time to coordinate a transfer.  It was almost 2 weeks before her burial.  My concern was not having enough men for pallbearers due to my husband's surgery, my son-in-laws recent hernia surgery and my niece's husband surgery.  My oldest daughter said since Grandma always referred to her grandchildren as Angel #1, Angel #2, etc etc down to Angel #10, she thought grandma's angels should act as pallbearers.  Everyone LOVED that idea.  Nine of Grandma's Angels were in attendance (all girls in their 20's & 30's) and carried her to her final resting place.  It was so beautiful, touching & tear jerking.

Things are starting to settle down here a bit and I promise I will try to get caught up here on this site soon.  Thank you all again, Donna~

hardo718 said:

Hi All!

I'm sorry I haven't checked in for a while.  And thank you for the personal messages.  As many of you know, my mom has suffered many years from Alzheimers.  We lost her recently.  She spent the last few years of her life cared for in a wonderful facility (Silverado) in California, by my brother.  About a week before her passing she had "an event".  Not sure if it was a heart attack or stroke but something major.  My husband kept telling me to fly out but I didn't feel it was necessary....until I started getting calls from the hospice nurse, chaplain and family saying she kept calling out my name.  So, I made my flight arrangements.  My brother picked me up at the airport & we went directly there.  With us in her room was Adam, her nurse that cared for her in her last few years.  I got very close to my mom, touched her arm and said, mom, it's Donna, I'm here.  She opened her eyes and looked directly at me and smiled the biggest smile we'd seen in years!!  Of course, we all cried.  That was the last time she opened her eyes.  I guess she really was waiting for me.  When I left 2 days later Adam & I hugged as we knew it would be the last time we'd see each other and we cried again as he said that was a moment that would stay with him forever.  As it will me.  She passed the day after I left.  Then the day after I got home my husband had to have back surgery.  I've been busy now being caregiver to him, as he was to me after my kidney surgery.  Since we had to bring my mom back to Illinois for burial, that process takes some time to coordinate a transfer.  It was almost 2 weeks before her burial.  My concern was not having enough men for pallbearers due to my husband's surgery, my son-in-laws recent hernia surgery and my niece's husband surgery.  My oldest daughter said since Grandma always referred to her grandchildren as Angel #1, Angel #2, etc etc down to Angel #10, she thought grandma's angels should act as pallbearers.  Everyone LOVED that idea.  Nine of Grandma's Angels were in attendance (all girls in their 20's & 30's) and carried her to her final resting place.  It was so beautiful, touching & tear jerking.

Things are starting to settle down here a bit and I promise I will try to get caught up here on this site soon.  Thank you all again, Donna~

So very sorry for your loss, Donna.

The vision of grandma's angels carrying her with such respect brought tears to my eyes.

About your moms passing.  Take care

Kim

What a special moment for you all, and my condolences to the family.  We went thru that with my mom-i-l three years ago-combination of memory problems bought on by the pancreatic cancer and morphine effects.  All of us who were on her "last list" were there within 36 hours of her death and when it was time, she took her final,  big breath and passed away.

So sorry for your loss and the complications of funeral in another state. Glad that portion is completed: but I know there are other things you are dealing with, including your husband's surgery.  Please, please take time for yourself during this extremely stressful time.  A huge lesson I learned that year was how to smile and say, "NO."

Glad you got back to us.  Many thanks.

donna_lee

My Condolences to you and your family

Take care of yourself and your husband

So much.  Definitely been a tough time.  My brother and I have discussed, cried & laughed about the fact that we thought we were ready....years ago in fact because she hasn't been herself for many years.  Come to find out, you can never really be prepared.  We're hanging in there though and taking comfort in the fact that we all believe she has reunited with our dad, our youngest brother and other loved ones that were dear to us.

I've got a lot of catching up to do.  It's going to take a little time, bear with me.

And thanx again.  Donna~