This has been a very sad week. A week ago Wednesday my daughter's mother-in-law fell down a flight of stairs in the night, probably going to the bathroom. She fractured her skull, broke her neck, her back and several ribs. Her husband heard the commotion and went and helped her walk back up the stairs to bed. He had no clue how hurt she was. A bit later she began having seizures and the paramedics were called and she was rushed to the hospital. She was able to communicate the next day with a thumbs up to yes and no questions.

Swelling on the brain started and they had to put a bolt into the skull and monitor the swelling. As the swelling increased she lost ability to communicate and became non-responsive. A day or so later they removed a large portion of her skull to relieve the pressure from the swelling. When they did she was able to open her eyes, but remained unresponsive.

She never regained consciousness and last Wednesday they declared her brain dead. She has four adult children and six grandchildren. The family is in a state of shock. It just does not seem possible. On Friday they turned off the machines and she passed in less than an hour.

She was vibrant, feisty, and full of fun. I am so sad that the grandchildren will not have her around for many more years.

We never know what hand life is going to deal us. Thanks for being a listening ear.