I've lost my Verna

[RiverRose]

I know that I haven't been here in the group for a long time, I think it's been more than a month, but I have a very good reason. I've been spending my days and nights at the hospital with my beloved Verna.

I think I've mentioned her before but if I haven't, I'll fill you in.  I met Verna more than 15 years ago.  When her husband fell ill, Verna knew that I didn't have a job so she asked me if I would help her out.  Verna worked 2 jobs at the time and Sam couldn't be left at home alone.  What started out as a job ended up as much more.  I grew to love Sam & Verna as if they were my family.  Sam & Verna became grandparents to my girls.  We spent lots of time with them, especially holidays.  You see....Sam & Verna never had any children so I became their daughter.  Family doesn't always mean coming from "blood", it comes from the heart.

Sam passed away on September 10th, 2004.  It was a hard, sad time for Verna and I.  After Sam's passing, Verna decided it was time to freshen up her house.  Room by room I painted and decorated for her.  When it was finished, Verna was so very pleased.

Verna retired from both of her jobs because her health wasn't allowing her to work as hard as she used to.  I took care of her.  Even though she had to start using a walker, we still went shopping and bebopping around town.  I took her to all of her doctor appointments.  We went out for lunch.  My whole family went to her house for a party at Christmas. Verna and I would start making goodies and decorating her house around the 1st of December.  There were many nights that we burned the midnight oil to prepare for Christmas.  She loved cooking and celebrating.  You should have seen the decorations.  The more lights we put up, the more Verna would get excited.  We have many wonderful memories of many Christmases spent at Verna's.

Verna wasn't feeling well on July 4th.  I tried to talk her into letting me take her to the ER but she wanted to wait and see her regular doctor on July 5th.  We went to see the Doctor on July 5th.  He took a look at her and said that he wanted to admit her to the hospital.  The cellulitis in her legs was infected and she was dehydrated.  The doctor ordered some antibiotics and some IV fluids.  She wasn't getting better.  Her kidneys began to fail, she developed fluid on her lungs and her blood pressure dropped dangerously.  Verna was moved to ICU.  After 4 days in ICU, she was moved to the hospice floor of the hospital.  Her body was tired and none of the tests and treatments were working.  Verna's sister, Joyce, and I were there every day and stayed till well past midnight on many nights.  Verna was in the hospital for 4 weeks.

On August 2nd my bags were packed and I was prepared to stay all night at the hospital.  Call it instinct, premonition or whatever you like.  I stayed.

Verna was the biggest St. Louis Cardinal fan you ever saw in your whole life.  She loved baseball and the Cardinals ever since she was a young girl.  You could ask her any trivia about any player on the Cardinal team and she would know the answer.  Verna would call the radio station on occasion and talk to Tony LaRusso when he was doing a show.   .....Tuesday night the Cards were playing so I turned the game on for Verna.  The game went into extra innings.  Bottom of the 11th and one out before the Cardinals would win.  I shouted at the TV "Come on guys, this one's for Verna!"   WOOHOO  The Cards won!!  I clapped and I leaned over and whispered in Verna's ear.  The Cardinals won for you.  I saw a very slight smile on her face.  That was the last thing Verna watched on TV.

I laid down on the cot in her room to try to get some rest.  All I could do was watch to make sure that Verna was breathing.  I could tell that her breaths were becoming weaker.  Then I heard it.   I'd heard about a thing called "death rattles" before but never heard them.  I knew what it was.  The rattles stopped at 1:15 am.  Her shallow breathing stopped at 1:25 am.    I was by her side.  A part of me died with her.  Jerry and the girls are taking it hard.  Grandma Verna won't be at Missy's wedding next year.  Christmas won't be the same.  Life won't be the same.

"Some people.....like Angels....leave a hint of heaven wherever they go."

My Verna was 82.

[jrjade]

Aug. 6, 2011 at 9:35 AM

What a blessing you were to each other! My sympathies to you and your family.

[grandmomma5]

Aug. 14, 2011 at 11:49 PM

So very sorry Rose, I will have your family in my prayers, love ya girlie!