I think I witnessed a miracle..

[Robinrs]

My aunt is in hospice with 4th stage bone cancer.... It's been a horrendous few days, the doctors gave till Thursday of this past week. She's been basically unresponsive, opening her eyes every now and them but mostly sleeping.

All of the family came down to see her... basically to say goodbye. She is my closest living relative, my Dad's baby sister, the heart of the family. She is 68 years old.

Her kids live in 3 different states and they fly in as much as possible. Yesterday was her oldest daughter's 47th birthday. I was so upset because my Dad died on MY 47th birthday and I know how hard it was for me and I didn't want that for my cousin.

We all came to see her yesterday and She was sitting up and TALKING!!! She remembered everything from the past few days and was wondering why we were all there!

She asked out loud "Am I DYING?".. I said "not anymore" and we all laughed.

Then she looked around the room and asked "Where's John?" John is my Dad, her brother who raised her. He died several years ago.

We told her Daddy was not there but he's fine. She kept looking around and then looked me straight in the eyes and realized where she was.

This what she told us:

"I think I was dying, two times. I don't think I am now but I really don't care. I don't care if I do, it's alright."

All of us couldn't speak, we all know we have limited time, but right now we are cherishing that time.

She ate and laughed and fussed with her nurses the rest of the day. She was our entertainment.

What a blessing!!

 

[bicker]

There is so much we don't understand about the human body, about medicine, about physiology, etc., and perhaps much we will never know. Sometimes our not-knowing works against us; sometimes our not-knowing works for us. I'm so glad you had such a great thing happen for your family.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

That is a miracle! Enjoy your time with her ...

 

[kjs1976]

Enjoy this time and God Bless...you will be in my prayers.

Had a similar situation w/my grandpa...was unresponsive for a week and then "woke up" and wanted perogies and sausage for dinner! The stubborn old Pole in him kicked in! Had a few good last few days before his actual passing. Made it easier for my g-ma.

 

[DawnCt1]

My aunt is in hospice with 4th stage bone cancer.... It's been a horrendous few days, the doctors gave till Thursday of this past week. She's been basically unresponsive, opening her eyes every now and them but mostly sleeping.

All of the family came down to see her... basically to say goodbye. She is my closest living relative, my Dad's baby sister, the heart of the family. She is 68 years old.

Her kids live in 3 different states and they fly in as much as possible. Yesterday was her oldest daughter's 47th birthday. I was so upset because my Dad died on MY 47th birthday and I know how hard it was for me and I didn't want that for my cousin.

We all came to see her yesterday and She was sitting up and TALKING!!! She remembered everything from the past few days and was wondering why we were all there!

She asked out loud "Am I DYING?".. I said "not anymore" and we all laughed.

Then she looked around the room and asked "Where's John?" John is my Dad, her brother who raised her. He died several years ago.

We told her Daddy was not there but he's fine. She kept looking around and then looked me straight in the eyes and realized where she was.

This what she told us:

"I think I was dying, two times. I don't think I am now but I really don't care. I don't care if I do, it's alright."

All of us couldn't speak, we all know we have limited time, but right now we are cherishing that time.

She ate and laughed and fussed with her nurses the rest of the day. She was our entertainment.

What a blessing!!

It really is a gift. The same thing happened with my mom. She was home, here with us and was semi conscious and at times, nearly comatose. DH and I got up every three hours to turn her during the night and no change. Her room was directly across the hall from ours but I had a baby monitor so I could hear everything. About 5 am we heard her voice as strong as it usually was, "Dawn, I am awfully thirsty, could you get me some water"? We had her with us for another three days. It was a miracle and totally unexpected. My brother spent those three days here with us and we were all together when the end eventually came. During those three days we talked, watched old 8 mm movies that my father had taken years before, slides, etc.

 

[peanut1967]

I remeber a number of years ago, I worked as a home carer and we visited a very special lady called Cissy, she was in her 80's. We had to use a hoist to lift her to bed and she hated it, so to make it fun we would all sing 'Onward Christain Soldiers' so funny. Cissy became ill and went into hospital, Like I say she was so specail both myself and my collegue loved her and she had no family so we would go and visit. One night she said to us can you visit tomorrow and we said we would in the evening, she said that would be too late and she was getting herself worked up so I said that I would go and visit at dinner time, she settled. Next day I visited at dinner, she smiled and nodded when I asked her if she was ok. and then went to sleep, I just dont think she wanted to die alone, and she felt that us being there in the evening would be too late and she was right. It was the first time I had watched or been with somebody while they died, and although I was very very upset I also felt honoured that she had asked for me to be there.
Angie

 

[minkydog]

I think you have witnessed a miracle. Who knows why she woke up? But I'm so glad you have this last great memory with her. It sounds like she has made peace now and is ready to go. It probably won't be long, but oh, what a gift she has given you!

 

[joshsmom]

As PPs have said, it is a definite gift. So glad you have had this opportunity and that she is at peace with her life. I wish you all the best.

 

[autumnpalm]

Oh, that brought tears to my eyes. What a miracle and gift- thank you so much for sharing and your family will be in my prayers throughout the rest of your journey with your aunt.

 

[Pixiedust34]

That does sound like a miracle! I'm glad your family has some extra time to spend together.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm so glad you had more time with her. That's lovely.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Robin - The same thing just happened with my DSD's grandmother. She had cancer for 4 years. She was at home on full hospice care. At least 3 times in a two week period the nurses would tell them "She's not going to live through the night." "She's not going to live through the afternoon." "Quick get everyone here now to say goodbye." That woman was like the energizer bunny. And about 3 or 4 days prior to her finally passing, she sat up and was chatting and having a great time.

Glad you had a good day with your aunt.

 

[Imzadi]

She asked out loud "Am I DYING?".. I said "not anymore" and we all laughed.

Then she looked around the room and asked "Where's John?" John is my Dad, her brother who raised her. He died several years ago.

We told her Daddy was not there but he's fine. She kept looking around and then looked me straight in the eyes and realized where she was.

This what she told us:

"I think I was dying, two times. I don't think I am now but I really don't care. I don't care if I do, it's alright."

I just want to put this out. Hopefully it's true. The reason your aunt may have been asking for your dad was that the 2 times she almost died, your dad met her on the other side. So when she came back out of it, she naturally thought she'd see him here on this side, too.

When it is time for her to go, she's no longer afraid, because your dad and other loved ones will be there to greet her again and she will be fine.

 

[AnnaS]

This brought tears to my eyes - enjoy your time with her.

 

[Liberty Belle]

My aunt is in hospice with 4th stage bone cancer.... It's been a horrendous few days, the doctors gave till Thursday of this past week. She's been basically unresponsive, opening her eyes every now and them but mostly sleeping.

All of the family came down to see her... basically to say goodbye. She is my closest living relative, my Dad's baby sister, the heart of the family. She is 68 years old.

Her kids live in 3 different states and they fly in as much as possible. Yesterday was her oldest daughter's 47th birthday. I was so upset because my Dad died on MY 47th birthday and I know how hard it was for me and I didn't want that for my cousin.

We all came to see her yesterday and She was sitting up and TALKING!!! She remembered everything from the past few days and was wondering why we were all there!

She asked out loud "Am I DYING?".. I said "not anymore" and we all laughed.

Then she looked around the room and asked "Where's John?" John is my Dad, her brother who raised her. He died several years ago.

We told her Daddy was not there but he's fine. She kept looking around and then looked me straight in the eyes and realized where she was.

This what she told us:

"I think I was dying, two times. I don't think I am now but I really don't care. I don't care if I do, it's alright."

All of us couldn't speak, we all know we have limited time, but right now we are cherishing that time.

She ate and laughed and fussed with her nurses the rest of the day. She was our entertainment.

What a blessing!!

How beautiful that you got that time with her!

I will tell you, at the end of my grandmother's life, she was like this the day before she slipped into unresponsiveness and then passed on.

So, have hope, but prepare yourself, because her doctor told us that it happens like this quite often.

 

[minniecarousel]

Oh, Robin, how sweet! I wish I'd had just a few more hours with my Mom. She died on April 1st & my sister's birthday is on the 3rd. She knew that Mom wouldn't leave us on her birthday, but we were hoping for a few days after, not before.

Enjoy these last few days.....

 

[Robinrs]

I just came back from seeing her. She is not as alert as she was yesterday but very aware.

I am so sure she saw my Dad, and I'm more than happy about that.

 

[Robinrs]

Oh, Robin, how sweet! I wish I'd had just a few more hours with my Mom. She died on April 1st & my sister's birthday is on the 3rd. She knew that Mom wouldn't leave us on her birthday, but we were hoping for a few days after, not before.

Enjoy these last few days.....

 

[Robinrs]

How beautiful that you got that time with her!

I will tell you, at the end of my grandmother's life, she was like this the day before she slipped into unresponsiveness and then passed on.

So, have hope, but prepare yourself, because her doctor told us that it happens like this quite often.

We're prepared... we're just blessed we had the time.

Thanks to everyone. I learned so much from this thread, probably more than I wanted to know. I can't thank you all enough.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Robinrs,
This has been such a heartwarming thread to read. I'm encouraged to hear so many "back from the brink" stories, even if it is not for a long time. I'm glad you got another chance to talk with your aunt!