I didn't want to pollute the TDS social thread any more with my troubles, and didn't think that it warranted another post in TDS, so I thought that I'd write a quick update about my weekend here.
My grandfather passed away this morning, at around 9:00. He had been fighting cancer since 2001, but in the last couple of years it had slowly been getting the upper hand. He fought it though, tooth and nail. Did whatever it took to keep it at bay: surgery, chemo, radiation, diets, alternative therapies, often all at once. He used to box in his youth, and he always had that fighting spirit-- determined not to go gentle into that good night.
In the last couple of months though, things were getting worse. The cancer had spread everywhere, and he was in a lot of pain. A change in his meds kept it at bay over Easter, but he began getting worse soon after. Soon he could barely get out of bed. A few days ago, his health nosedove (nosedived? I dunno). He was fully bedridden, taking massive amounts of painkillers, and could still barely tell what was going on through the fog of his pain.
This morning though, he was a bit peaceful. When he went, he was calm, and that was that. All the local family that were planning on coming anyway came soon, and we were able to say goodbye. Everyone was a wreck, but it was better that he was able to pass at home. He loved that place, and there was always family around. Plus it made us easier for us to grieve without others around.
Two moments stood out as being particularly tough: kissing him goodbye on his forehead, when he was already cold, and watching him being taken to the funeral home.
Over the course of the day though, everyone helped each other out, and we were able to get a bit better. We're taking turns staying with my Grandmother so that she won't be alone for a while, I'm still not sure yet when my turn will be. Right now I'm exhausted, and just want to sleep. Tomorrow will be tough, funeral arrangements have to be made, and we need to organize how we're going to take care of Baba. But that's for tomorrow. Now we sleep.
I'll always love and remember you Dido. I'm glad that you're finally at peace.
My grandfather passed away this morning, at around 9:00. He had been fighting cancer since 2001, but in the last couple of years it had slowly been getting the upper hand. He fought it though, tooth and nail. Did whatever it took to keep it at bay: surgery, chemo, radiation, diets, alternative therapies, often all at once. He used to box in his youth, and he always had that fighting spirit-- determined not to go gentle into that good night.
In the last couple of months though, things were getting worse. The cancer had spread everywhere, and he was in a lot of pain. A change in his meds kept it at bay over Easter, but he began getting worse soon after. Soon he could barely get out of bed. A few days ago, his health nosedove (nosedived? I dunno). He was fully bedridden, taking massive amounts of painkillers, and could still barely tell what was going on through the fog of his pain.
This morning though, he was a bit peaceful. When he went, he was calm, and that was that. All the local family that were planning on coming anyway came soon, and we were able to say goodbye. Everyone was a wreck, but it was better that he was able to pass at home. He loved that place, and there was always family around. Plus it made us easier for us to grieve without others around.
Two moments stood out as being particularly tough: kissing him goodbye on his forehead, when he was already cold, and watching him being taken to the funeral home.
Over the course of the day though, everyone helped each other out, and we were able to get a bit better. We're taking turns staying with my Grandmother so that she won't be alone for a while, I'm still not sure yet when my turn will be. Right now I'm exhausted, and just want to sleep. Tomorrow will be tough, funeral arrangements have to be made, and we need to organize how we're going to take care of Baba. But that's for tomorrow. Now we sleep.
I'll always love and remember you Dido. I'm glad that you're finally at peace.
I am glad, though, that you and your family were able to come together and make your Dido's last moments peaceful ones.
Try to get some rest, and be strong for your family.
