My Grandma Pat

Some of you know, and I've posted a bit about it here, that my mom and I have been responsible for my grandma's care for the past 10 months or so. The last 2-3 months have been particularly difficult, as she declined fairly rapidly after falling and breaking her hip in June. Her Alzheimer's got worse, and she started to have other health issues.

She's had sores on her legs and feet that we just couldn't get to heal, and she saw numerous doctors and nurses. As it turns out, they were something called arterial ulcers, which are a sign that your feet aren't getting proper circulation, so they start to "die". At first, they were mainly a nuisance, but had been getting more painful as time went on. By last week, the pain was too much to be controlled by anything but the strongest pain medication, rendering her unconscious 24 hours a day.

The surgeons said she was not strong enough to survive any of the treatments, and we made the decision to move her into hospice care last Wednesday. Thursday, she was able to move back to Cooper Villa, the place she'd come to call home. The hospice nurses and Cooper Villa staff helped us get her settled, and I saw her on Thursday night at 11PM before flying out for Indiana (work) on Friday morning. Having been through this before, I knew when I saw her that she didn't have a lot of time left. I said my goodbyes, and told her how much I loved her. When I got off the plane, there was a message that she wasn't doing well, and mid-day on Saturday she passed away.

We were given a lifetime with her, and in the last 10 months she relied on us completely for her daily needs. In that time, she was funny, affectionate, and kind to all around her. The staff at Cooper Villa are the best I could ever ask for, and I will recommend them to anyone and everyone who is looking for care for a loved one or themselves. They let her maintain her dignity through the most challenging times she ever faced, always caring for her as if she were their own family member. Vitas Hospice helped us for a very short time, but were able to do as I asked and keep her unconscious and comfortable through to the end. The work they do must be incredibly difficult, and I respect them immensely.

The funeral was this morning, and it was very nice. It was a small graveside service for family and friends, just as she asked for. I'll miss her every day, but I am grateful for the time I got to spend with her and the stronger relationship I had with her these past few months. Even when she wasn't clear on who I was, she knew I was someone that was there to take care of her and told me she trusted me and loved me. I'll carry that with me forever, and am so happy that she's free of the pain, disorientation, and discomfort that has filled her days for so long.

Watson, Patsy	View/Sign Guest Book
Patsy Watson, 76, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, in Arlington. Graveside service: 10 a.m. Tuesday in Shannon Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation: Mrs. Watson will be available for viewing noon to 7 p.m. Monday at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel. Survivors: Sons, Eddie Watson and wife, Rhonda, David Watson and wife, Janice; daughter, Elaine Powell and husband, Les; eight grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Published in the Star-Telegram on 10/13/2008
Notice • Guest Book • Flowers • Visit the gift shop • Charities Create a Memorial Website