Those of you who have been following my blog have seen my posts about my granny. She is still hanging on, but I know that soon she won’t be with us anymore. And yet, she fights on. In Facebook posts last night and today, my aunt said this:
"Came home to shower and give dog meds, then back to moms radiation appt. One shot to the leg, then that is all we can do, it is up to hospice to handle the pain from now on. They got her an air mattress, (thanks Kelli for the advice) it is doing a good job for her. Also got her a new doctor, one who will call back, she is sleeping a lot now, just needs a hand to hold. Gotta run will update when I get here to do so…."
"Mom did not understand the trip to the doc today, but trusts us. She still wants to find us there if she wakes and we will be there. Come visit with her if you can, she is still funny as hell when she is awake, she just sleeps a lot more now. I thought we were going to lose her yesterday, maybe she was just testing us. This time with her is hard, but I am glad I am getting to spend it with her."
Here are a couple of pictures of happier times, at her 90th birthday celebration this past spring:
Beautiful lady
Granny still has a sense of humor
I received the following story from a friend. It’s a true story that actually happened back in 2005. It is very touching and seemed appropriate to share now.
On Valentine's Day 2002, Katie Kirkpatrick, then a freshman at Rochester College, (a small Christian college in Rochester, Michigan) was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Undaunted, Katie strove to keep up with her studies, but she suffered another setback in 2003 when she was diagnosed with "an inoperable lung tumor wrapped around her pulmonary artery." Nonetheless, in 2004 the resilient Katie took part in champion cyclist Lance Armstrong's "Ride for Roses" fundraiser.
On 15 January, 2005, 21-year-old Katie - the girl "with a contagious smile and unrelenting optimism" who had been battling cancer for three years - married Lapeer County sherriff's deputy Nick Godwin, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, at Church of Christ in Hazel Park, Michigan. Katie Kirkpatrick Godwin passed away at the McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, on 20 January 2005, just five days after her wedding. Her husband, Nick, said of the wedding and Katie's passing: "It was wonderful. It was a dream come true. She was the most beautiful angel ever - just caring and selfless, and such an inspiration to everyone. She was always smiling no matter what happened, no matter what news she got. She was as close as perfect as they come."
Her name is Katie Kirkpatrick , 21 yrs old. Next to her is her fiancé, Nick , 23. This picture was taken prior to their wedding January 11th, 2005. Katie has terminal cancer and spends hours in chemotherapy. Here Nick awaits while she finishes one of the sessions.
Even in pain and dealing with her organs shutting down, with the help of morphine, Katie took care of every single part of the wedding planning. Her dress had to be adjusted several times due to Katie 's constant weight loss.
An expected guest was her oxygen tank. Katie had to use it during the ceremony and reception. The other couple in this picture is Nick 's parents, very emotional with the wedding and of course to see their son marrying the girl he fell in love when he was an adolescent.
Katie , in a wheel chair listening to her husband and friends singing to her.
In the middle of the party, Katie had to rest for a bit and catch her breath. The pain does not allow her to stand for long period of time.
Katie died 5 days after her wedding. To see a fragile woman dress as bride with a beautiful smile makes you think... happiness is always there within reach, no matter how long it lasts.....lets enjoy life and don't live a complicated life. Life is too short.
Tracey, we are so sorry to hear about your granny's struggle with cancer. It's such a difficult tme for a family, and we know it first hand. God bless you and your family and may He keep you all strong for one another. Our prayers are with you!
ReplyDeleteI find it somewhat odd, and full of coincidence that I found this blog post. I am originally from Michigan and I follwed Katie's story as it unfolded in our local papers. I never met her, but her story compelled me to send a card to her family after she passed.
ReplyDeleteI also spent 7 years living in Alaska - on the Kenai Peninsula. The internet boggles my mind sometimes. How odd is it that you, someone who lived a couple hours from me in Alaska, posted a story about someone who lived near me in Michigan!
I wish your family luck and courage as your grandma battles cancer.