It can be tough to go through the loss of a loved one, especially when it involves bidding farewell to my Grandmother. She had been diagnosed with Bone Cancer three months prior, and dealing with her illness, taking care of her, and saying our goodbyes were all emotionally exhausting experiences. The day that sticks in my memory is August 12, 2010 when my mother called me in tears.
When I heard my mother’s distressed voice, I was devastated. She told me that my grandmother had been diagnosed with bone cancer, and I couldn’t believe it. This news was especially hard to accept because my grandmother was always known for her kind-heartedness. The fact that she already had legal blindness, diabetes, and was aging made the difficult and painful journey ahead even more overwhelming. Adding bone cancer to her long list of health problems offered no hope at all.
As my grandmother’s cancer worsened, I noticed her growing dependence on help for her everyday tasks. Knowing that she would eventually lose her ability to be independent, our family gathered to consider different support choices. Drawing from my experience as a former STNA focused on elderly care, I assumed the responsibility of stepping up and offering aid. The idea of placing my grandmother in a nursing home was inconceivable; thus, with unwavering resolve, I announced to my family that I would quit my job and become her main caregiver.
My gesture of taking care of my grandma was appreciated by everyone. I looked after her during the week, while my aunts and mom took care of her on weekends to prevent my grandpa from getting exhausted. Despite witnessing her pain and misery, we all provided support to her throughout this challenging journey. Unfortunately, within a few months, it became evident that my grandma was becoming tired as cancer spread throughout her body. This resulted in a loss of hope as her life approached its end.
On November 01, 2010, my grandma was hospitalized for difficulty breathing. The doctors later informed me and my grandpa that her time was limited and advised us to inform the rest of the family. Within an hour, all eight of her children and their families arrived at the hospital. We gathered together by her side to bid our final farewells while reminiscing about cherished memories. Tears of both sadness and laughter were shed as we aimed to bring comfort to my grandpa during this challenging time. I kissed her, expressing deep love and gratitude for every special moment we shared together. It was hard to fathom that this marked the end of her journey.
Within a few hours, she had passed away. It was the hardest day of my life. I knew that she was free of pain and going to a better place, though. I’ll always miss her. It was a very difficult journey for all of us. We know she will always be watching over us. Dealing with her loss brought our family so close. I was proud to be from such a supportive and loving family. I know she is proud of all of us too. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of her and remember all her struggles.
Saying goodbye was only the beginning of a long grieving process.
