Unexpected January trip

Brad and I made a somewhat unexpected trip out to Seattle this past week. It was originally to welcome our 2nd niece into this world, Rahab Elaine Ireland. Then, on December 30th my mom found my grandmother in her apartment on the floor. Nonnie had fallen and broken her other hip and was stuck on the ground for what we think was a day or two. My mom got her to the ER as soon as she could and Nonnie was prepped for surgery on her other hip to be replaced. It was a mere 45 minutes after her surgery that she seized ( her heart stopped ) for 5 minutes. They got her back, but had to put tubes down her throat to help her breath and stay alive. The tubes were removed on Monday and she wasn't expected to do very well after they were removed. She proved us wrong for sure. She did pretty good, and then was put on oxygen to assist her. I arrived on Tuesday night to meet Nonnie at the hospital where she was in and out of sleeping. As soon as I walked into the room, I knew this was going to be hard. This was the first time I had seen this wonderful woman in my life without any teeth in. lol. I held on to her hand and she sort of woke up, enough to see who I was and hear me talk to her. I always kissed Nonnie on the head and told her I loved her, so I just that. It's hard to smile without any teeth, but I'd like to think that she smiled at me. I do regret crying each time she opened her eyes to see me. I wish that one of the last times she saw me wasn't crying. But I shouldn't have any regrets. I spent as much time with her as I could.
It was sort of an eventful time at the hospital, as Auburn General Medical Center showed their true colors when caring for my grandmother. We won't get into any of those details, but I wouldn't go back there. EVER.
Brad was able to make it out on Wednesday morning and we went to see Nonnie. This was the day that I had to say my goodbyes because she wouldn't be alert for the rest of the time i spent with her. This was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. The only thing that comes close is seeing Brad off to war when we left New York for his 4 day pass. I however knew I would see him in a few short months. I won't see Nonnie for another 50+ years. But the heartbreak of saying goodbye to someone who you love dearly and has watched you grow up was so incredibly difficult. Nonnie didn't leave us till Saturday morning, but she fought till the very end. She was a terribly stubborn woman who never excepted no for an answer. After we took her completely off oxygen she started breathing just fine on her own. As we continued to check her heart rate and breathing we discovered that her heart was super strong and pumping just fine and her breathing was fantastic for what she had been through. She was a fighter through and through.
I made my peace with saying goodbye to her on Wednesday and then made the choice to then be there for my own mother. I can't imagine what she is going through and the hurt she is enduring.

Needless to say, it has been an eventful week that I've had. I'm thankful for lots of things however. In my time to sort of collect my thoughts, I've discovered how lucky I am to have a supportive husband who has loved on me and let me just cry. I was blessed to have precious memories of Nonnie and so happy that she got to witness me marry my best friend and got to know him a little bit. I'm so happy that she knew happiness and the love that her daughter and grand daughter have for her. I have so many fabulous memories with my mom and Nonnie. One impaticular on our way up to Canada. Eggo's and ham for breakfast. Her famous "oops!". The fact that she never wanted to lose her independence, no matter what the cost. She was such a strong woman and I am soo happy to be her grand-daughter. :-)

On monday morning my mom and i went through old family photos. Nonnie lived a pretty darn good life. She taught herself to drive after Jack Aker died, she traveled, she shoveled snow when it was bitterly cold in Laramie Wyoming. She bought a PT cruiser. She got to see her grand children grow up and see what adventures we embarked on.

I've decided that it was a good thing she passed when she did. Had she lived through this, she would have been stuck in a wheelchair or bed-ridden and she would have hated that. She also would have a fair amount of brain damage and wouldn't be the same Nonnie we know and love. So now we are celebrating her life. :-)
I will always and forever love my Nonnie. No one could come close to replacing this wonderful woman who was in my life.

I love you Nonnie.

Good bye Nonnie

I lost my grandmother today, Saturday January 7th around 9:30. She was a terribly stubborn woman who never knew when to give up. She lived 91 amazing years and had many great experiences. She was a wonderful grandmother and someone to whom I looked up to. I have many fond memories of her and with her.

More to come when I get home to billings.