Saying goodbye to my Grandma

My Grandma died Saturday night.  She was such a special lady and I have so many great memories of her. 

She had Alzheimer's for 7years, it is a nasty disease that I truly hope and pray they find a cure/treatment for someday.  She has been living in an assisted living facility for the last few years, which has been great for her.  They were able to meet her needs and keep her in a safe environment.  She had been having some increased confusion and was becoming more lethargic recently.  They took her into the ER after no improvement.  She was found to have a bladder infection, they started her on IV antibiotics right away.  She never really regained responsiveness though and continued to decline.  My sister and I went and spent the day at the hospital with my mom on Friday.  We met with the hospice team then and decided to go with hospice care for Grandma.  I have had my fair share of experience with hospice at work, and know that the first question the family asks is how long will it be?  They gave us the typical answer of anywhere from hours, to days, to weeks.  Well she passed away Saturday night, after being on hospice care for just over 24hrs.  I think her brain was fed up with the Alzheimer's disease and was ready to be healthy again in heaven. 

My Grandma had 6 kids (wow....I sometimes feel like I am barely hanging on with ONE!).  Her oldest kid died though when she was only 14yrs old of leukemia.  My mom was 7 at the time, and does remember some things from then.  Grandma was very pregnant with her 6th baby at the time of Marianne's death.  I can not even begin to imagine going through that as a mother.  So my mom grew up with four brothers....not much dress up and baby doll playing for her! 

Another special thing is I have a very cool connection to my Grandma, we share the same middle name.  It is also the same middle name of my mom and my daughter.  So there are 4 generations with the middle name of Louise.  Very special! 

She loved babies.  I remember when I took this picture, afterwards I said "ok Grandma, its time to go eat, let's go sit down"  And she says, "Oh, I'm ok, I just want to hold the baby"  I can't believe how little Briana is here, I feel like I hardly remember her that small.  She was about 6wks old.  

Some fun memories I have of Grandma:

• She ALWAYS had her nails done, she went and got them done often and they were always perfect.  I remember she had her nail lady's business card by the phone!
• I can hardly believe I remember this since I was only 5, but I do!  My mom had gone into the hospital to have Allyson, and I woke up and saw Grandma sitting on the couch.  And then I remember after Allyson was born and they called to tell us, none of us could remember her name on the way to the hospital! 
• Her house was a gold mine for treasure.  We played with tons of old toys (including my mom's old barbies, which ended up at our house....which then ended up headless I believe) and all sorts of other cool stuff.  
• She loved dogs, and always bought our family dog (Brandy) treats.
• She was a quiet lady, which obviously none of us four kids or my cousins inherited..... But even before she lost her memory she would just sit back and enjoy everyone talking and would laugh at all the commotion. 

I know she is in a much better place now, but we will miss her dearly.  I rejoice knowing she is now able to be with her daughter and husband and our Heavenly Father.  


http://www.fredwoodfuneralhome.com/obits/obituary.php?id=464406