Another Post about Advance Directives and Terri Schiavo

[tantricasimela]

In 1994, my beloved Grandfather who was dying of colon cancer wanted to stay home knowing a care center or hospital would painfully prolong his life. My respect and love for my Grandfather gave me no second thought, I moved in right away with a hospice nurse checking in once a week, that was all he would allow them to do. Grandpa would not live

Comments

[winik]

haven't finished your post yet just had to comment on the telling your grandpa it was ok to "let go" wow! Good for you! I did the same for my great Aunt... everyone has seen her she was in Hospice... hanging on... I went in and held her hand (she'd been calling for me in the night) I quietly sat there and held her hand and told her it was OK... she could "let go" now.. everything is fine and all that... apparently after I left.. she passed on. It definelty touched me... I wasn't close to her but he didn't have any children or grandchildren and always loved the arts so I think she really connected with me as the artsy kid in the family.

[winik]

As you can see from my post my feelings aren't any different from yours on this matter. DNRs are good, too.

[tantricasimela]

It was a bit strange in a way, I knew Grandpa was going to try to die that night (always 3AM). From working in nursing homes many years back I saw it often - and when family wouldn't come to visit some of those folks held on lonter than they should have. It was sad and to be the only person to hold their hand and tell them its okay to let go, yet see them hold out really stayed with me so I made sure to let Grandpa know it was okay to leave and be with Grandma. Through tears I told him to give her a hug and kiss from me. My brother never did say a word since he didn't really believe that would make a difference - now he knows it does and since he's closer to the parents, I think he will be the one to help them let go when its their time as well.