Life Is Hard

Two weeks ago my step-sister had a stroke. I am not close to her, but she is someone I care about, and I have known her all my life. She is 63.

Up until two weeks ago, she was perfectly healthy and doing everything. The only symptom she had was trouble swallowing, at times. Nothing you would think to go to the doctor for! She did call her doctor, and he was about to order a brain MRI.

She went to lunch with her hubby two weeks ago, they got home, he went in the house, but she stayed in the car. Five minutes later she slumped over the steering wheel (which sounded the horn). He drove her to the hospital. She was bleeding deep in her brain for two days, and it was inoperable. She had a stroke on her right side. She never came out of it.

My hubby and I are on vacation where she lives, and we went to see her in the hospital yesterday. She is in a hospice room, and her family decided to remove all life support over the weekend. Her face is very crooked, she can't close her eyes nor her mouth, and there is no response anymore. It is just terrible to see her like this. And to hear her rattle breathing. Her sister is there during the day and her hubby at night. Her two kids took two weeks off from their jobs, but they needed to go back to work. So between her sister and hubby, someone will always be there.

I can't believe how bad it is--for someone who was completely healthy. And to watch her die like this. Very difficult. I was glad we went to see her (hard as it was), but I feel for those who love her and must watch her die by inches each day.

Life is hard.

Cheryl

Cheryl,
you have all my sympathy.
Life can play very bad tricks.
I am so sorry for that lady...one day you're healthy and feel great, the day after you fall apart. Life is not fair sometimes.

Cheryl,

I too feel for you, your family, and her family. I know how hard it is when so unexpectedly something like this happens. You have my sympathy.

I have this dear little older lady (in her 80's) who works part time with me. A couple of weeks ago, her son who is in his mid 50's, was at work, had a cardiac arrest (never been sick a day in his life) fell, and was in a coma for over a week. During that time his kidney's started to fail, and so did other internal organs. It finally got to the point that the family had to make a decision whether to keep him on life support. As hard as it was on the family, as he was still in the coma, they decided they had to let him go.

I felt so bad for this woman losing her son so unexpectedly. Life is so very short and we never know when something such as this will happen. Guess that is why we need to live each day as if it were our last.

Hugs to you and yours!

Cheryl,

I'm so sorry.

Stroke is one of my biggest fears. My mother had several, though mild ones. I have made several arrangements with medical power of attorney in regard to strokes.

My heart goes out to the family of your loved one.

I`m sorry about your sister. Life is hard...

Life is hard. No doubt about that.

Queen Elizabeth II said once that grief is the price we pay for love. I think whe is a wise woman.

My best to you and your family.

We just got the call that she passed away last evening.

Thanks.

Cheryl

Cheryl, your family is in my prayers. Life is so short.

My family members had heart attacks--no strokes. I'm not used to seeing what strokes can do. Heart attacks seem "kinder." My family members pretty much looked the same after serious heart attacks, unless of course the heart attack killed them (which happened also).

I've seen my share of post-surgery Chiari patients in ICU and such.

But seeing yesterday what a very serious stroke does to someone--chilling.

My hubby prayed for her, and then her former pastor and his wife visited and prayed for her. When they left, she passed. Her sister thinks the prayers helped her to "let go." No one realized yesterday that her death was close.

I'm glad we went, but oh so difficult...

Take care of yourselves, dear friends.

Cheryl

Cheryl, I'm sorry about this. That is indeed hard to see someone who has been healthy to suddenly go like that. But at least she did enjoy good health.

I just learned yesterday that my childhood babysitter passed away. My dad is close to her parents. She suffered from pancreatitis for years, and I guess eventually it took its toll on her. She couldn't have been much older than 40.

Hugs to you and your family!

Cheryl, I am so sorry your loved one has passed away so quickly, so without warning. I am sorry for the sadness and pain around you. I pray for peace, strength and faith amongst all those she touched.

Loving you and always supporting you.

That's very sad news Cheryl, she was very young. I'm so sorry.

Liz

So sorry Cheryl.

Oh Gosh Cheryl I am so terribly sad for you, and sorry. Please accept my deepest condolences.
The suddenness of it I am sure is bewildering, too. You are in my prayers, dear friend.

Risa

I am so sorry for your loss, Cheryl.
I can only imagine how heartbreaking that must have been.

You are in my thoughts and prayers,

much love,
Tanya

Strokes are terrifying. My mother has had several TIA's or what they call mini strokes. She has trouble opening her left eye all the way. I feel awful for her and hope every day that she isn't going to have any more.

Please know that you and your family are in my heart. I am thinking of you.

Mary Anne

thinking of you as a family, very big hug and prayers. i had 2 srtrokes at 31 just 9 years ago and altho my life was saved, the stroke has stolen so much from my body and my life now which i will never regain. they are very cruel and i do hope you find some comfort from your pastor. i read a book called the shack which helped me tremendously! big hug!

I am so very sorry for your loss - life can be so unkind... my parents did not "go easy" and I am quite afraid of strokes, having had two TIAs... I will pray for you all, as I do every day, and I will ask God to bless all the family...
Holly