I didn’t share a new music post on Sunday; there have been no updates to the playlist challenge and no featured band or album of the week. I’m pretty sure there won’t be any posts next week, either. I apologize to the followers who actually pay attention, but everything kinda went to hell recently.

My grandmother has been sick and in the nursing home for a while. She was diagnosed with COPD and congestive heart failure years ago. Otherwise, though, she was healthy.

She has had stomach issues her entire life, and for the last couple of years she’s been in and out of the hospital, complaining of nausea and pain. Well, last week she was once again in the hospital for those symptoms. Her doctor told her that there was nothing else he could do unless she allowed them to do an endoscopy and actually figure out why she had those symptoms. She refused the procedure. My mom asked her why and my grandmother said she didn’t want to know. If it was serious, she felt like they couldn’t help her anyway. (Bear in mind, she’s 89.)

My mom and I both talked to her last Wednesday, right after she was released from the hospital and sent back to the nursing home. The very next day, my great aunt called and told us that she was dying.

She is in the final stages of COPD and congestive heart failure. Her lungs are filled with fluid. She is no longer responsive, though that could be because they are keeping her dosed with morphine for the pain. She has a DNR in place, so basically they can do nothing but make sure she’s comfortable.

I ask that anyone who reads this send up a prayer, positive thoughts, or whatever it is you do. This is a very difficult time, especially for my mom, and we need all the comfort we can get.

Thank you.