2nd half of day 3

Let me begin this post by passing along the news that my grandma, Marilee Hayles, passed at 5pm this evening. She was surrounded by her daughters Marsha and Mary, who were there to hold her hand, stroke her hair, and list by name the many people that love her so much. Marj was told about 30 min after she passed. She seemed to take comfort in her death, as she is happy that she was finally able to go and join her husband. She actually made Martha, Laura, my dad, and myself share a shot of Dewars Scotch with her, her drink of choice. Thank you Anita and Martin for the scotch, we have already cracked into it ;-) Please keep that to a low roar, as we are getting drunk on floor 6 of St. Mary's Hospital.

Marilee Hayles
1918-2010



Update on Marj

We left Marj on her way to her procedures. They took her downstairs drained her fluid and prepared her for PEG vent placement. Once they got in they were unable to see where they were going to place the vent. The peritoneal wall was too thick, making them blind in finding where to place the tube. So, back upstairs she went again, without the vent placed. They left the NG tube in place. She seems to be okay with that. It was certainly what was causing the rage before, but I believe she has now resigned herself to the idea. We arrived around 5pm this evening. Laura and I were able to talk to the Palliative Care doctor about what had occurred and what occurs now. There really aren't any other options other than NG tube in or out. We are still unclear as to a timeline, however, she is not eating and has limited hydration. So...that pretty much sums that up. Anyone that has watched a survivor show, knows that you cannot last very long.
As we were being comforted by the Palliative Care doctor, my cousin called all our phones to tell us about our grandma. The Palliative Care doctor was a little taken off guard. His exact words were, "Um, ok, ah...wait, ok, what...oh my god, you poor girls," and then a long pause where really none of us spoke. He then of course offered any support and got angry for us at how life can suck so much for one group of people all at once!
After discussion with the Palliative Care doctor, we cried and visited with my mom, drank the alcohol, and chatted some more about options, jokes, possessions, and whatever else we have been left to chat about. My cousin Josie is on her way to spend some time. Currently, we are just keeping her comfortable and enjoying her once again nice personality, that is back thanks to a lot of drugs! :-)


And to end this blog session, let's sign off with some famous Grandma Mayme quotes:

"What does Pop Watson always say, Never look to high."
"With luck like that you could have sawdust for brains and probably do."
"And I have to deal."
"Who's deal is it?"
"Do you need to tinkle?"
"Like sitting in a fat ladies lap."

There are probably thousands more, but just can't think of them right now.