Sunday, September 6, 2009

Probably most of you know that Grandma will be staying at my home (Karen) most likely until she passes away. As Ken and Lenora noticed before this, her condition has rapidly deteriorated over the last few months. When she came to us a month ago, she could walk, feed herself, go to the bathroom on her own. This last week she has declined even more as she can't go to the bathroom on her own, can't feed herself and sleeps most of the day and doesn't really have any appetite. She doesn't recognize us or give signs of recognition. If she speaks she pretty much mumbles incoherently.

This morning she had a seizure. She hasn't roused since then and it has been five or six hours. It's possible she doesn't have much time left- or she could wake up and want something to eat or drink and go on a little longer. Anyone who feels like they would like to stop by and say goodbye is welcome to stop in. Others may prefer to remember her how she was before, which is fine too.

Ken and I will post current funeral ideas/arrangements. I'd really like all the Grandkids to sing a song at the funeral-but we will keep you posted. On Saturday, if nothing changes, Ken, Lenora and I will be going to Berg Mortuary to pick out a casket. All Grandma's children and their spouses are invited at Noon.

Though this is a sad time, I am grateful to know that when she does pass away it won't be the last time we will see her. I'm sure it will be a relief to her as well, and Grandpa Wyler will be happy to be together with his sweetheart once again.

7 comments:

lisapink said...

Its sad to think she's almost gone. I'm sure this is hard for you, mom. I'm sorry. Let me know what I can do.

The blog looks really nice; its a great idea.

reallifemormonwife said...

Thanks Lisa. And actually, Anna created the blog, I dictated, though.

Anonymous said...

I am helping watch Grandma today. She likes her hand being held and her forehead being rubbed. I downloaded some lds hymns for her to listen to but now she is just sleeping. She was only awake for a few minutes. She seems to be very close to the end. It's kinda sad...

-Anna

Anonymous said...

I just talked to my dad and Karen about how Grandma is doing. Of course some of you have a medical background, I will try to write this for those with and without this background.

For the last week Grandma has not been drinking very much and also has made very little urine. This, along with the way she is breathing(cheynne stokes) that Karen described to me suggests that her kidneys are shutting down (Acute renal failure).
This is one of the most common ways people with dementia pass away and is one of the most comfortable. What happens is some of the toxins the kidneys normally clear from the body build up (uremia, metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia). This could explain her apparent seizure, and it also makes a person more sleepy and harder to awaken.

When a person does pass away from this it is though they pass away in their sleep. Karen will watch for any signs of discomfort, but they usually have very little. These substances build up in their blood making them more and more sleepy until finally they pass.

Again, I can't be sure this is correct without being there, but if this is correct I don't think it is likely that she will wake up again and will likely pass in the next day or two.

She will be in our thoughts and prayers along with the rest of you.

David Wyler

Anonymous said...

Thank you for creating this and keeping us informed. I am very grateful for the eternal perspective that we have. I am sad to see her go, but am so grateful that her and grandpa will be together again.

Uncle Ken and Aunt Karen, thank you so much for all that you have done. I am sure that it is hard to watch grandma go through this.

She will also be in mine and Diana's prayers.

Daniel Wyler

reallifemormonwife said...

Thanks everyone for your comments! I didn't see these when I wrote my last post, but I sure appreciate all of your support. For all their humanness and shortcomings (like ALL of us) our parents/grandparents have really given us so much. Love you all. Karen

Anonymous said...

Thanks you Anna and Karen for creating this blog. It looks very good. This past week, I have been working on some ideas for mother's service. While Karen and I are scheduled to meet at Berg Mortuary in Provo next Saturday to make some funeral prearrangements, circumstances may require us to move up that meeting.
Ken