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Friday, July 28, 2017

And Then There Were Two

There were three sisters.
The oldest was six years and one day older than the youngest one.

Now, there are just the two younger sisters.

Back in March, my oldest sister had a stroke.
After that a vasospasm.
Next came meningitis.

She made it all through that and went to rehab.
She got done with rehab and was waiting for her foot to heal completely before she was released to go home.

She was diabetic and had had foot surgery the year before and it was taking a long time to heal.

Only her foot never healed and she never got to come home.

She was allowed to be independent in her room.

Monday, July 24th, she fell in the bathroom and suffered a subdural hematoma.
She was flown to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

I was at an appointment with my husband so after it was over, we headed to the ER to see her.
I was taken to the consult room.
That is never a good sign.
Before the doctors came in, I got a call from my brother-in-law letting me know what they were going to say.

She was in a coma. Bleeding had occurred on the surface of the brain as well as the brain stem.
They could do surgery to get the blood on the surface, but nothing could be done for the brain stem. She'd probably never come out of the coma and she would be living on life support. Eventually, the injury to the brain stem would cause her organs to shut down and she would die regardless of the machines.

So, it was decided that we had to let her go.
Now or later, the outcome would be the same.
And she would not want to live on a feeding tube and ventilator.

Her husband drives a truck and he was out in Indiana.
So, she was kept stabilized until he got back.

A couple hours after he got back, she was taken off all life support.

Just after 10:00 pm, my oldest sister had died.

My sister was an organ donor and her organs were healthy so some of her organs were donated.

Tomorrow, a memorial is planned.
Im the fall, she will be planted.
She was cremated and she will be put into one of those tree urns and planted.
It's a weeping willow tree urn.

So, it's been a week.

24 comments:

  1. Oh no...I am so sorry to hear this and I know this is a typical response because it's so difficult to know what to say when such heartbreak occurs. She was quite the fighter but just too much happened. I am glad that she had family with her and that, although very painful, you could say goodbye.

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  2. I am so sorry for your family's loss. It is good she will "live on" in the tree and how appropriate with a weeping willow as I am sure lots of tears have been shed and will be shed now that she has passed.

    betty

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    1. Betty, thank you. So many people are just beside themselves, cause she was better. Not 100% like she was before the stroke, but probably as close to it as possible, It was also her favorite tree. As well as mine and my other sister.

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  3. Sorry for your lose. Never easy to lose a loved one. Sure sounds like she fought with everything she had up until the end.

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    1. Thanks, Pat. She was a trooper. Did whatever the therapists asked her to do.

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  4. Wow - {{HUGS}} It's great she was an organ donor - she will keep living! Thoughts & prayers for you all.

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  5. It was a great thing, Thanks, Lisa.

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  6. I really am sorry to hear this. I can only imagine how hard it's been. I love those tree urns. I hope that weeping willow grows up beautiful and strong, just like her, from the sounds of it.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, ABFTS. She did have tenacity, that is for sure.

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  7. I am very sorry for your loss. It must have been so hard for the two of you and for rest of the family. Your sister did a great thing by being an organ donor. My family's and my prayers are with you and your family. Take care of yourself.

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    Replies
    1. Munir, thank you. It's been a tough ordeal. I will do my best. You take care too.

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  8. I'm holding you close, with love, strength, and healing to help ease your way. I'm deeply sorry, Ruth.

    In Judaism, we say "May loving memories offer comfort in the days ahead." I hope you have plenty of fun-loving memories with your big sister. I also hope that you'll always feel her presence in your life.

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    1. I'm so very sorry for this loss. Losing a sibling is like losing a limb. (I just realized I hadn't even offered condolences).
      Take gentle care.
      Much love.

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    2. Thank you, Robyn. I like that saying. I have never heard that one before. I do. Some days it doesn't even feel like she is gone. Hugs.

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  9. I'm so very sorry to hear this! I have four siblings, so I know it's a matter of time. We cherish each other every day.

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    1. Thank you, Al. My parents are in their 70s and still going~maybe not strong, but still going. We all thought one or both would go first. You never do know. I am glad you cherish each other. :)

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  10. Oh, Ruth. How very sad. I know some of what you're feeling. Long story. Hugs and prayers to you.

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