OT - the full story and update
Thank you all who asked how I was and what was going on and everything. This is just for everyone to know the whole story and where we stand right now. I already know you all support us and the love that I can feel from here is amazing :) Figured this was the "easiest" way to tell everyone the whole store.
So, back in December I had posted my grandmother in NC had a stroke, but was doing "alright", but I had my reservations about her long term health. My aunt (my father's sister) lives with her, but has health problems of her own and I don't agree with a lot of what she does or how her and my grandmother live....but that's a whole other saga.
Anyway, it appears that on Wednesday my grandmother's stroke "elongated" Basically - a continuation of the small stroke back in December. What did my aunt do? Nothing. No doctors, no hospital, no nothing. My father was coming down on friday "anyway", and they would talk to the doctor then. By the time my parents got there on Friday, my grandmother did not recognize then, had eat 1/2 cup of applesauce since freaking wednesday, had no use of the right side, and could barely speak.
Mom, Dad, and aunt went to my grandmothers doctors office (without my grandmother), talked to him about everything, he got her directly admitted to the hospital which involved an ambulance, a lot of work because my aunt had my grandmother in a back room of their trailer and EMS equipment couldn't get in, and all that fun stuff.
Admitted to the hospital. It appears she had multiple "thrombolytic CVA's" (clot type strokes) in the smaller vein vessels of her brain. They had trouble getting an IV in her due to dehydration etc. They ended up getting one using an ultrasound machine. My parents made decisions (all of which I am totally FOR) regarding care. There will be no artificial breathing, CPR, feeding tubes etc.
She apparantly had multiple periods of unresponsiveness yesterday, and the IV that was in infiltrated (vein collapsed around it) so that had to be taken out. They opted not to put in a new one. She's also, due to the problems with speech, swallowing, etc, not allowed to eat or drink anything. The only fluids (no nutrition) that had been given to her were through the now no longer existent IV. I'm not a hundred percent I agree with not attempting another IV, but really, it won't change anything anyway so why keep sticking her, which I understand.
So now, it's basically a waiting game. We were gonna go down to NC yesterday, but my parents didn't really want us making the trip due to the weather down there. I honestly do not need to go down to have closure or see her before she passes. Although it's difficult and I love her, we were not super close so I'm ok staying up here. They are originally from jersey, and her son and late husband (my uncle and grandfather) are buried in NJ. So there won't be any services down in NC, everything will be done in NJ. So the reality is - what is the point of going down to NC? I had to agree with my parents on that one, although Brian was not quite as agreeable. He's sooooo supportive and so loving of my whole family - he really wanted to go down for my parents - but I know my father - and I think he'd probably be better off with just my mom there. No need to act all "tough and dad like" in front of us if that makes any sense.
I'm ok with everything except the waiting. But no one can change that. I am still taking care of myself as best I can. Speaking of which, I came home to a message from my doctor that yes, he says I can see an endocrinologist, so I'll be making follow up phone calls on that subject on Monday. Got a decent amount of sleep last night once home in my own bed etc etc.
I appreciate, as always, all the support I receive from all of you. So many of you called or sent messages, it was really touching your thoughts and prayers mean the world to my family and I.
Love you guys,
Pam (and Brian too!)
So, back in December I had posted my grandmother in NC had a stroke, but was doing "alright", but I had my reservations about her long term health. My aunt (my father's sister) lives with her, but has health problems of her own and I don't agree with a lot of what she does or how her and my grandmother live....but that's a whole other saga.
Anyway, it appears that on Wednesday my grandmother's stroke "elongated" Basically - a continuation of the small stroke back in December. What did my aunt do? Nothing. No doctors, no hospital, no nothing. My father was coming down on friday "anyway", and they would talk to the doctor then. By the time my parents got there on Friday, my grandmother did not recognize then, had eat 1/2 cup of applesauce since freaking wednesday, had no use of the right side, and could barely speak.
Mom, Dad, and aunt went to my grandmothers doctors office (without my grandmother), talked to him about everything, he got her directly admitted to the hospital which involved an ambulance, a lot of work because my aunt had my grandmother in a back room of their trailer and EMS equipment couldn't get in, and all that fun stuff.
Admitted to the hospital. It appears she had multiple "thrombolytic CVA's" (clot type strokes) in the smaller vein vessels of her brain. They had trouble getting an IV in her due to dehydration etc. They ended up getting one using an ultrasound machine. My parents made decisions (all of which I am totally FOR) regarding care. There will be no artificial breathing, CPR, feeding tubes etc.
She apparantly had multiple periods of unresponsiveness yesterday, and the IV that was in infiltrated (vein collapsed around it) so that had to be taken out. They opted not to put in a new one. She's also, due to the problems with speech, swallowing, etc, not allowed to eat or drink anything. The only fluids (no nutrition) that had been given to her were through the now no longer existent IV. I'm not a hundred percent I agree with not attempting another IV, but really, it won't change anything anyway so why keep sticking her, which I understand.
So now, it's basically a waiting game. We were gonna go down to NC yesterday, but my parents didn't really want us making the trip due to the weather down there. I honestly do not need to go down to have closure or see her before she passes. Although it's difficult and I love her, we were not super close so I'm ok staying up here. They are originally from jersey, and her son and late husband (my uncle and grandfather) are buried in NJ. So there won't be any services down in NC, everything will be done in NJ. So the reality is - what is the point of going down to NC? I had to agree with my parents on that one, although Brian was not quite as agreeable. He's sooooo supportive and so loving of my whole family - he really wanted to go down for my parents - but I know my father - and I think he'd probably be better off with just my mom there. No need to act all "tough and dad like" in front of us if that makes any sense.
I'm ok with everything except the waiting. But no one can change that. I am still taking care of myself as best I can. Speaking of which, I came home to a message from my doctor that yes, he says I can see an endocrinologist, so I'll be making follow up phone calls on that subject on Monday. Got a decent amount of sleep last night once home in my own bed etc etc.
I appreciate, as always, all the support I receive from all of you. So many of you called or sent messages, it was really touching your thoughts and prayers mean the world to my family and I.
Love you guys,
Pam (and Brian too!)
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
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