A Sad, Glad Waiting
Our church family and the extended family of Menno Edna are waiting for her to die. No one is being macabre in talking about this. This is a sad time, and already there are tears when we think about what is ahead. But at the same time, we have a sense of God being in control and His people saying "yes" to His will. Heaven awaits, and Edna is about to go there.
Edna has had cancer for some time. She is 82. After a surgery within the past year, and discovery that her earlier cancer had returned, she continued to take oral chemo. Much earlier she also had multiple bypasses during heart surgery. She suffered from Chron's Disease. After the most recent surgery she decided that it would be the last one. No matter what went wrong, surgery would not be considered. She would stay at home rather than go to the hospital. At some point, the family contacted Hospice, and a plan of action was decided on for when the inevitable occurred. Meanwhile, life continued in the new normal.
The family knew what signs to look for. Sudden abdominal pain would likely signal that internal bleeding had developed, after which an elevated temperature would set in. Pain medication would be administered to keep her as comfortable as possible for the next number of days. Edna has already outlived the few days the nurse estimated to be her limit after the fever set in.
Her family had time to gather, some of them from outside the US, and, with the help of some powerful steroids administered for the purpose, she rallied for several days, and had wonderful times of sharing and interacting with her family. She was up and about part of the time.
She had given each married grandchild a specially-made quilt on the occasion of their wedding, but only a few had gotten married. On Thursday evening of this week, she passed out all the remaining prepared quilts to the unmarried grandchildren. There are probably 25-30 grandchildren. These quilts are not just any old quilts, or just any new quilts, for that matter. Edna is the premier quilt maker in this community. She has the artistic sense and the craftsmanship ability to do stellar work. She loved quilt work. Many of her wallhangings have been sold in local shops, and she has often been involved in creating the masterpieces that sold for many hundreds (thousands?) of dollars at benefit sales.
Last Sunday Edna came to church as usual. Two days before that she had gone to hear her grandson Jacob present his senior challenge. Wes noted that she seemed bright-eyed and involved. Her stomach pain began on Sunday afternoon. Yesterday in church her family sent word that Edna continues to decline. In a reassuring part of the message, we heard that she says that "the sting of death has been removed" and she wants to go "home."
A number of Edna's grandchildren are still in school. Two of them attend our high school, and at least four are at the grade school. I think often of how it must be to come to school every day, with the awareness of Grandma's imminent death.
I really appreciate the openness Edna and those close to her are demonstrating. The awareness of what is transpiring in that family's experience keeps their names on our lips in prayer. And, as always, seeing a child of God face death with courage helps us see the marvel of God's grace poured out on all who receive Him. So, besides prayers of entreaty, we are also praying prayers of thanksgiving and praise. If Edna can do that, we can too.
Edna has had cancer for some time. She is 82. After a surgery within the past year, and discovery that her earlier cancer had returned, she continued to take oral chemo. Much earlier she also had multiple bypasses during heart surgery. She suffered from Chron's Disease. After the most recent surgery she decided that it would be the last one. No matter what went wrong, surgery would not be considered. She would stay at home rather than go to the hospital. At some point, the family contacted Hospice, and a plan of action was decided on for when the inevitable occurred. Meanwhile, life continued in the new normal.
The family knew what signs to look for. Sudden abdominal pain would likely signal that internal bleeding had developed, after which an elevated temperature would set in. Pain medication would be administered to keep her as comfortable as possible for the next number of days. Edna has already outlived the few days the nurse estimated to be her limit after the fever set in.
Her family had time to gather, some of them from outside the US, and, with the help of some powerful steroids administered for the purpose, she rallied for several days, and had wonderful times of sharing and interacting with her family. She was up and about part of the time.
She had given each married grandchild a specially-made quilt on the occasion of their wedding, but only a few had gotten married. On Thursday evening of this week, she passed out all the remaining prepared quilts to the unmarried grandchildren. There are probably 25-30 grandchildren. These quilts are not just any old quilts, or just any new quilts, for that matter. Edna is the premier quilt maker in this community. She has the artistic sense and the craftsmanship ability to do stellar work. She loved quilt work. Many of her wallhangings have been sold in local shops, and she has often been involved in creating the masterpieces that sold for many hundreds (thousands?) of dollars at benefit sales.
Last Sunday Edna came to church as usual. Two days before that she had gone to hear her grandson Jacob present his senior challenge. Wes noted that she seemed bright-eyed and involved. Her stomach pain began on Sunday afternoon. Yesterday in church her family sent word that Edna continues to decline. In a reassuring part of the message, we heard that she says that "the sting of death has been removed" and she wants to go "home."
A number of Edna's grandchildren are still in school. Two of them attend our high school, and at least four are at the grade school. I think often of how it must be to come to school every day, with the awareness of Grandma's imminent death.
I really appreciate the openness Edna and those close to her are demonstrating. The awareness of what is transpiring in that family's experience keeps their names on our lips in prayer. And, as always, seeing a child of God face death with courage helps us see the marvel of God's grace poured out on all who receive Him. So, besides prayers of entreaty, we are also praying prayers of thanksgiving and praise. If Edna can do that, we can too.
posted by Mrs. I at
4:08 AM
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