Sunday, November 18, 2012

A Single Night Can Change Everything

     On the aphotic night of November 22, 2010 my grandmother was sitting in our living room watching television with my grandfather. Suddenly her body began to react to something and she began twitching. My grandfather was lost in confusion and did not know what to do other than help her out and call us for help. My mother and I rushed into the living room and found my grandmother twitching. We immediately called 911 and waited impatiently until they arrived. When they came my grandmother seemed to have calmed down already and the parademics told us that she had a ceisure that might have led from something she ate. We wanted to see if her mind was still working normally so they asked her what they it was and she replied "Monday". They then took her to the hospital and my mom went along. We called my aunt's house to let them know of this incident. My aunt and her husband rushed to the hospital while my cousins came to take us to their house. That was the first day I experienced such fear and sadness. I had been crying for hours, along with my grandpa, having my cousins tell us that everything will be fine. Everything was not fine, however. The next day when we went to the hospital my grandmother was not herself anymore. Her mind was not working normally, although she recognized who we were, and she thought the hospital room was our living room. I then realized that I may never live another hour with my grandma the way she used to be before this ceisure. The doctors informed us that my grandmother had a cancerous brain tumor and the best option would be to have it surgically removed. We, as a family, agreed and a day or two later the surgery began, before the tumor can result in further damage. After the surgery, we went to visit my grandmother and the picture of how she had looked will never leave my mind. She looked completely different and the only thing that had stayed was her incredible smile. That smile stayed on her face until the end. She was slowly recovering and after a few months we brought her back home. For a whole year I saw how much my mother and aunt were suffering in order to take care of her twenty four hours, seven days a week. Of course all of us family members helped out, but it could not be compared to my mother's and aunt's troubles. We enjoyed every minute we had with her, watching her slowly speak, say our names, eat, laugh, and sometimes walk. After a year we began to notice how much she had gotten worse. She started off not well, then improved hugely, and finally sadly weakened. We took her to the nursing home a week before she passed away. We stayed by her side, knowing of her soon future. A week later, on December 6, 2011, she passed away and shortly after that I noticed the change in my family. This event was probably the most affective thing in my life, because my grandmother had raised me and lived with me all my life and my memories with her were endless. After she passed, my grandfather was alone, my house was quiet, and something has been missing ever since. She was one of the most important figures in mine and my family's life. Unfortunately, this is life and we all have to adjust to the things that affect us in a helpful, or devastating way.

7 comments:

  1. Ani, this was extremely heartbreaking to read. A person our age should not be a first hand witness to that kind of tragedy. I can relate to your story because one day, while throwing out the trash, my uncle had a heart attack and died within a few hours. He was not a smoker, did not drink, and was as healthy as a horse. The reasons for such random events like these are unknown to all except Him. However, as you stated in your last sentence, everything happens for a reason and we must learn to cope with whatever obstacles we face in our lives.

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  2. Ani, this was quite moving. I am sorry for your loss. I felt the same way when my grandfather passed away. There was a gloomy feeling in our whole family and it stayed for months. No one knows why these tragic events happen and unfortunately, we have to cope with it. Your grandma is in a better place now.

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  3. Oh my goodness, I cannot stop crying. Ani, your grandmother was truly an amazing person and I believe that she had lived a good and happy life with her family. When I think of her the first thing I remember is that story she told me about my father when he was a little boy and was constantly complaining about his homework even though he was only in the first grade. This lady made me laugh and when she smiled, the room lit up. That smile could make anyone smile, and that smile is what we should remember her by. I hope that you never forget that smile and never forget the good times that you shared with her, because I know that is how she would want you to remember her by.

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  4. Ani, your grandma was not only loved by your family, but by your friends as well, including me. No matter how much pain she went through, I will always remember her with a smile on her face. The love she had for you as her granddaughter, was never ending and obvious. Even if she is not with you anymore, I know she is watching over you from above. I can relate to you easily because I too lost a close family member from my family and after her death, it is as if my family is no longer as close as we were before. Last year had a bad ending to it, since we lost our second mother's who had practically watched us grow from the day we were born. Though, your grandmother will never be forgotten by me because she was a part of my childhood as well. The important part is that she does not have to be in pain anymore and is probably happier than ever.

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  5. Ani I am truly sorry for your loss and may your grandmas soul rest in peace. Something like this, a loss and death is devistating and can truly change someone and their life, especially if it is someone that close to you like your grandmother. All you can do is remember the good memories of you and your grandmother and the time you shares together.

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  6. Your grandmother was an amazing person, and it was extremely devastating when almost a year ago you told us about this tragedy. Talar basically said every thought I had in mind. Although I have personally never had someone in my family pass away, except my uncle whom I was not close with, your grandmothers passing was equivalent to that. As I have said before, in this comment and in person, your grandmother was an amazing person, and she is in a better place watching over you now.

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  7. Ani, reading this makes me remember all the amazing times we have had at your house with her. Your grandmother was an amazing person, and I even considered her my own grandmother. I loved her very much. The day you came to school and I found out she had passed away, I felt so sad. Yet I could not imagine what you were going through. The only time you have spoken about your feelings is through this blog post. I wish you could have confided in me, and I hope you know that you can do that whenever you want to. I love you very much. May your grandmother's soul rest in peace.

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