
I’m 27, and for the past few years I’ve been living part-time with my grandpa— always staying at his house from Sunday to Monday for work. He passed away two days ago at 85. 9 days ago, I came back into town and was in my bedroom when I heard his friend come by with food. My grandpa refused and was frustrated that his friend was trying to be helpful. I checked on him later, he told me, “I’m going down, but I don’t want to talk about it. How are you? How’s your boyfriend?” I kept the conversation normal, but I knew then that I needed to prepare myself.I told my family what I noticed and said that he might be nearing the end, especially since he wasn’t eating. My mom and I went to get him some easy foods that he liked and he was grateful for that.I went back to my other home and returned on Thanksgiving night around 10 PM. I put leftovers in the fridge and noticed the food and water my mother and I brought were untouched. His light was on, and he seemed to be struggling to get in or out of bed. I asked how he was doing and let him know that I put the thanksgiving leftovers in the fridge and asked if he needed help. His answers were short, almost like he didn’t want me lingering which is unusual because even late at night, we would sometimes have a short conversation. I could tell he didn’t want me “fussing” or worrying, so I carried on like normal and went to my room crying myself to sleep.The next day my parents and I went to check on him. They asked him if he’s hungry, why he wasn’t eating, if he needed a caregiver, and told him he needed to try to something or they’d have to call a doctor. He became very frustrated with them and refused all help and told them to just leave him alone, he wasn’t being very nice. But I understood his frustration. He didn’t know I was there, I stayed away from his room (sad, avoiding, not wanting to embarrass him,etc). He had said he’d lost his will to live. I was feeling very protective over him, I just wanted his passing to be comfortable and non-invasive.It was an incredibly hard 9 days, knowing what was coming. But by Saturday, after mentally preparing myself, I finally felt some peace—still very sad, but accepting. I came home late around 10:30 or 11. The house is always pitch black at night, so I used my phone to light the way, turning it off when I passed his room so I wouldn’t wake him. After I went to bed, I heard the cat meow a couple of times and then stop—unusual but not exactly uncommon so I didn’t get up. The next morning, I woke up late, walked past my grandpa’s room to clean my bathroom for about two hours, then showered and went to my room to get ready for the day, taking my time. I think I was scared and avoiding the possibility that he might have passed. When I finally checked on him, his bed was empty, and I found him lying on the floor at the foot of his bed. My heart dropped. “Grandpa?” but there was no response—no movement, no breathing. I fell to my knees next to him, crying my eyes out. The guilt, pain, heartbreak, and grief hit all at once. I called my parents immediately, and everything was handled from there.I knew this moment was coming, but the hardest part is knowing he didn’t pass in his bed. And the guilt of not knowing when he fell or how long he was on the floor alive before he passed, my biggest fear was finding him on the floor and him dying alone and scared. I feel so irresponsible that I didn’t peek into his room when I heard the cat, not checking on him when I first woke up in the morning. What if he fell shortly before I got home and was still alive?What if he fell while I was at home?What if I could have been there with him when he passed?Even if he already passed by the time I got home, it hurts knowing that he was laying on the floor dead for so long.I regret not saying bye to him when I left that day.The guilt of carrying on and leaving him alone like he said he wanted.I feel I should've made more effort to see and talk to him in his last days
Like Alva Deer, I am 83 years old and hope my own departure will be as simple and quick as your grandfather's. I might need help along the way if I am too frail to manage on my own, but I do not need an audience when I die.
How my heart goes out to you.
I was in a very similar situation 5 years ago. My mother passed away on a Saturday afternoon and my brother, who lived an hour away, decided to spend the night so that we could go to the funeral home the next morning. When I got up and was getting ready, I thought it strange that he hadn't come out for coffee. I asked my husband to go into the bedroom, where he discovered that my brother had passed away, evidently from a blood clot. For months the guilt that I felt was almost unbearable. My doctor finally had to prescribe some antidepressants for me. Did he call out,but I didn't hear him? Did I miss something in our conversation the previous night? If we had found him earlier, could he have been saved? On and on, the questions kept coming. I have finally found peace five years later.
I can sympathize with your situation and I hope that I haven't sounded like my situation was as bad. But please know that with help--and I urge you to get in touch with a grief counselor-- you will begin to heal. It might take some time, but please use whatever help you can enlist to help you mend your broken heart. My heart goes out to you.
Your grandpa died at home, on his own terms. Not in a hospital hooked up to machines keeping his lungs and heart working.
It does not sound like your grandpa was in any real pain. Or at least nothing that was out of the normal for him.
I was told by the Hospice Nurse that came by the morning my husband died, it was a scheduled visit and I do not think the message had gone out yet that he had died, that many people will wait until everyone leaves the room then they will die. I was told that dying patients will ask someone to go get something for them, or they wait until the person with them leaves to go to the bathroom. the Nurse said dying is a private thing and some just want to be alone.
So do not feel "guilty" that he was alone. You can grieve, don't feel guilty.
What you can be proud of is that your grandpa was able to remain comfortable in his home because you were there to help care for him.
It is possible....
that grandpa did not "fall"
many people see loved ones shortly before they die. some will reach for the loved one that is visiting. Some talk to "nothing" in the corner,
Your grandpa may have walked toward the person that he was seeing it was then he died. When he died his body fell, so he did not lay dying on the floor. He may have "walked away" with grandma, his mom and dad and any other family that may have come for him.
Your grandpa is still with you. Listen for him. Talk to him just as you had before. Talk over your problems with him. You have to listen a bit better now but everything he was to you is in your head and your heart.
Grieve for your grandfather, remember the good times in his life and yours. Many many people have huge things to regret (‘why didn’t I realise he was too drunk to drive?’). Neither you nor grandfather have anything to regret. Condolences for you and your family, love from Margaret.
He was ready to go, and he knew the time was near. I'm sure it gave him great comfort having you around often, to check on him, to have conversations with him, just a presence in the house, so he knew he wasn't alone.
As others have said, some folks choose to pass alone. My husband passed twenty minutes after I told him it was okay to go, said good night, and went home (he was in a hospice house). My grandma passed when my aunt stepped out to get groceries. It happens.
But I does sound like your heart had already said goodbye and you (and your family) knew his days were coming to an end. Now is the time to celebrate the life he lived and share good memories.
I hope that even writing out your post in some way helped you to process Grandpa's passing.
My Daughter gave me a Grandson ten months ago. I had forgotten what "Joy" was. This little person has given me a reason to live.
Your Grampy had you for twenty seven years. I can't claim to know his mind, but I'd bet you provided him with a lot of happy thoughts, and times.
Honor his memory. He wouldn't want you sad or guilty. Live YOUR life.
My Dad knew a week before Thanksgiving, 19 yrs ago, he was dying. He lasted till Thanksgiving when all his kids were there. He went to bed at 10pm and when Mom woke up at 6:30 he was gone. My Mom, was in transition when we visited her in the NH. We left at 1:30, she was pronounced 20 min later.
My Dad was 79, Mom 89. Do not feel guilty. There was probably nothing you could have done. He was ready.
I am very sorry for the passing of your grandpa. He was one who knew his body it seems and knew he was passing and wanted to manage it himself. I’ve known a few like him.
If it is any comfort what you’re feeling is very normal. The finality of death is often lost on us until it arrives. No matter how attentive, we can miss that moment when they depart. And eating, even a thanksgiving meal lovingly prepared, can cause more pain to a body shutting down than it does good. Eating would have been for you, not him.
He was a lucky man in that his family didn’t interfere with his wish to manage his death without the indignities so many go through with last minute and useless administrations meant to keep him living a life he was finished with.
I had a brother who chose much the same. It seems so lonely yet it is a solitary event. Even for those surrounded by others, being watched over and sung to and prayed for (things many would rather die than endure) it is still a solitary event. One last breath to the customer and then off to the next adventure. As far as you know he may have gotten up to meet his future, not wanting to linger in bed. It’s his story. His alone no matter what you had hoped for or found hurtful. Accept it as his will.
I know you will never forget your GrandPa and he will live as long as you carry him in your heart. He was lucky to have a loving granddaughter who was mourning his passing while he was still alive. It will take awhile to accept the changes his passing creates. Grieving is hard and that is what you are doing. It is also necessary and honors him. Wishing you well.
I'm sure your grandpa knew that you loved him and most certainly wouldn't want you beating yourself up over what you coulda shoulda or woulda done, as when it's our time to leave this world for the next we are going to go no matter what.
So remember the good times you had with your grandpa and take comfort in the fact that he is now at peace.