Monday, April 18 at 11:44 am Helen Klassen died peacefully at Boundry Trails Health centre. The two nights before I had sat vigil with her. Saturday night did not prove too difficult. She spent most of the time sleeping, with only the occasional sound. She did not open her eyes much, but she did not seem to be in any pain, which was as much as we could ask for. I spent that time reading, listening to music, and just waiting really. Sunday night was not so peaceful. I was there from 9:30-3:00am and there was hardly a quiet moment. Unable to take a breadth without tremendous effort she would writhe in pain every ten minute or so. The nursing staff was incredible, trying out different methods and medication to allow her to sleep comfortably, but nothing seemed to be working. I spent that time sitting with her, holding her hand and trying to comfort her as best I could. I had no idea what to do, I just hoped my presence could be of some comfort to her. By 3 she had calmed down a bit, which was when my father came to relieve me. I went home and fell asleep, exhausted.
The next day we had not made a plan as to when people would sit vigil, and I did not really love the idea of sitting at home doing nothing, so I went back to the hospital. I arrived at 10am to find my dad, aunt and cousin there. Grandma's breathing sounded terrible, but I was quickly told that was the sound of her breath going over her relaxed vocal chords. As much as it might sound otherwise, she was in no pain. Her breath did not change for and hour and a half, then suddenly it did. I'm not sure what was different, but we all heard it. Each of our heads came up and we moved around her. From that point each breath was smaller, shorter, shallower that then one before it. It was impossible to tell which was the last one. There was not one huge, final breath. Rather a slow fade. It was quiet beyond anything I had known, and her face showed joy and peace.
I love you Grandma.
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