It always amazes me how quickly life can change. One minute everything is chugging along and the next thing you know life has thrown you a curve ball.
Mr. A’s grandmother had been in the hospital for a few days battling RSV, which for a healthy person wouldn’t be that bad but for someone with lung cancer it can be pretty dangerous. She seemed to be doing well, even having enough energy to sit at the end of her hospital bed to chow down on a sub.
But sometime yesterday morning she took a turn for the worse and was placed in the ICU. We ended up getting a call telling us that we needed to come down to say our last goodbyes. So we packed up as quickly as we could and started out on the 8 hour drive to South Carolina, where Mr. A’s family is from.
We arrived around 7 last night and went straight to his grandmother’s room. While she was still clearly struggling, we were able to talk to her for a long time. Mr. A and his grandmother have always been really close. He even lived at her house for the first two years of his life. So to her, he is much more than a grandson, more like her own son. I knew it was tearing him apart not knowing if he would be able to say goodbye to her. So to see him be able to hold her hand and kiss her cheek was such a relief.
We were able to have a really beautiful conversation with her. Despite all the pain and suffering she has been through and is going through she still has such an inspiring spirit. Instead of wallowing in self pity (which she of all people certainly should be allowed to do), she took our visit to remind us that what was happening to her wasn’t God. That God was good. And that we shouldn’t be angry at him or turn our back on him. No matter how this ends that will be a moment I treasure in my heart forever. Her strength and faith in God is truly humbling.
This morning her prognosis is still uncertain. She is definitely doing much better but the doctors aren’t sure if she will ever truly recover. So will be spending more time with her today and in the days to come, holding her hand and making her laugh.
As we go through this as a family, I hope you all will keep us in your thoughts and prayers, especially Mr. A and his grandmother. It never gets easier watching your husband’s heart be broken. We could use all the kind thoughts that we can get.
Regardless, I know God is watching over us all and I put faith him that He will take care of us.