While I was out with the girls on Saturday morning, getting supplies for Kiran's brithday party, I received a call from an unknown number. I decided to answer it. It was the doctor in charge of the care of my Grandma Hofforth. He told me that she has pneumonia, that she is not responding to medication and that his expectation was that she would die within a day or two. I spoke with the doctor briefly but I confess that I was not thinking too clearly right at that moment. I didn't even get his name. Mom is in Peru and most of Grandma's children are not located in the immediate area.
Once I returned home and told Kumarie the news I began thinking about who I should be contacting, and in what order. I soon realized that I don't have contact information for all of my aunts and uncles and also for many of my cousins. I phoned several for whom I have correct contact info and asked that they begin spreading the news. Then we had to go for Kiran's party. I considered not going to the party at all, but Kiran was so excited to be with her friends and have the party. Kumarie would have had a lot to manage on her own. She could certainly have handled it, but my being there would help make the party go more smoothly. I believe a good time was had by all the kids and I know Kiran enjoyed it. I took several calls from relatives during the party, including one with Mom. She has to make the difficult decision whether to interrupt their trip or not. In the event of Grandma's death, there's no question that she will come home as quickly as possible (which may not be quickly at all at this time of year)
On the way home after the birthday party, Roshini rode with me and I told her about Great Grandma's condition. That conversation was not as difficult as I expected it to be. After everyone had something to eat and was ready to go, I told both Kiran and Kavita about Grandma. Kiran was stoic in the manner that young children can sometimes be. Kavita was sadder, but I believe they all understand that Grandma has had a good life and is ready to go if it's her time. Kiran insisted on making a craft rose before we left so that she would have it to give Grandma. She wrote "I LOVE YOU FROM KIRAN" in block letters down the stem.
The drive to see Grandma was uncharacteristically quiet. We arrived between six-thirty and seven and stayed for approximately two hours. Grandma was in good spirits and was delighted to see the girls especially. They all spoke with her. Kiran insisted that we sing Grandma some Christmas songs, so we did. Kavita read to Grandma from a book of poetry that Mom had given her. Grandma seemed taken with the paper rose that Kiran made, telling her "That rose will never wilt."
I spoke with the nurse on duty as well as the staff. In their opinion, Grandma's condition was not as dire as it had seemed over the last night and in the morning. My cousin Steve arrived as we were preparing to leave for the night and he told me that she was looking stronger and breathing better than she had been when he was there in the morning. I honestly don't know what to hope for at this point. I don't want to see her life artificially prolonged if she is suffering. She has been telling me, and others, that she has been ready to die for some time now. Years, in fact. It truly doesn't matter, but the Christmas season is a terribly inconvenient time to die. That sounds cold as I write it, but I can't help thinking it. Funeral arrangements will be more difficult. Travel is both harder to arrange and more expensive because of the higher demand. We are planning to travel immediately after Christmas for a big family trip and I really don't want that interrupted or cancelled. It's not in my control, so I will try not to dwell on what might be.
I will be going to visit her daily for the time being and hoping for the best outcome. Whatever that may be.
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