My neighbour's name was Joy. She moved in during the summer with her husband John, her daughter Tina and her granddaughter Chrissy. Tina is mentally challenged and so is Chrissy. Joy had been through a terrible first marriage where the term "spousal abuse" doesn't even begin to cover it. She worked as a security guard and she loved her job.
Thursday afternoon, BT and I saw Tina running back and forth in front of our complex. She was crying and hysterical. Her mother, Joy, had had a stroke and she was alone with her. The ambulance was on the way and she had to stay outside to direct the emergency crews (our complex is difficult to get into at the best of times). That meant Joy was in the house alone - I rushed over to the house and talked to Joy, trying to keep her calm while we waited for the ambulance. It was definately a stroke = her entire left side was paralized. When the ambulance crew arrived I got out of their way and tried to calm Tina down and help her get her mothers health information together along with her medication. Just as the ambulance was leaving John pulled in, Tina had called him at work. I let John know what hospital they were taking Joy to and explained what I knew and then I left them to their business.
I hadn't heard anything and I thought the ambulance crew had got to Joy quickly enough that it would only be a minor stroke. Last night, John came to see me. He wanted to thank me for the help I had given on Thursday and he wanted to let me know that Joy had suffered two more major strokes in the hospital and had been put on life support. The whole family had a conference with the doctor and he had detailed the brain damage and the fact that Joy was virtually brain dead and the family as a group decided to turn off the life support. Joy passed away yesterday afternoon at 1pm. She was 56 years old, a extremely nice woman and someone who deserved the happiness that she had in the last 5 years of her life. The funeral is Wednesday - and even if there is a crowd - fuck the agoraphobia, I'll be there to pay my respects. Good-bye Joy.
8 years ago
4 comments:
I'm so sorry for your loss of your friend! I'm glad her husband came over and thanked you though, you did MUCH more than some others I know would have done!
Oh, I'm so sorry, lost.
P.S. If I'd been around the blogosphere more thoroughly I would have learned how difficult this past week has been for you. But instead, I'm an ass and didn't learn until now.
I'm so sorry you've had such a rough go of things, lately, and I'm hoping they turn around for you sooner than later.
You were there. You talked to her before the additional strokes. I know she heard you and by that, you can be sure her fear of Tina being on her own was calmed. You did an incredible thing and have ensured yourself a place in heaven. Bless you!
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