My Aunt Nana

Aunt Nana is a quiet, dignified, beautiful southern woman. She has taught me all the good things about being a true southern woman. I’ve had tremendous respect for her all my life, knowing that she has endured hardships with grace and a deep faith in God.

In my mind, she’s always been there for me. Not loudly, or here physically, but quietly, in the background, but with a strength that few other women I know have.

I write about my Aunt Nana (she’s my Aunt Amanda, but my children call her Aunt Nana), because even though there are probably 1,000 people praying for her right now, she could probably do well with a few more. She has become quite seriously ill.

She’s been in an Intensive Care Unit with a “dangerous infection” to quote my dear sweet Uncle Papa

She has an infection throughout her blood system, potassium is very low; she was dehydrated and very weak. She had a gall bladder infection with large stones. One of the large stones found its way into the duct between her bladder and pancreas. A tube was inserted into her liver to relieve the pressure and drain it.

After returning to the room she went into a heavy sleep for the rest of the day and Sunday. Sunday my uncle requested the doctor check her. He immediately sent her to the ICU thinking she’d had a stroke. It turned out she didn't have a stroke and they were able to revive her and when we went in to see her an hour later she was smiling and talking.

As of this afternoon she is very weak and can not move her legs or arms. She can squeeze your hand and wiggle her toes but that is about it. They added another feeding tube today into her arm to build her strength. They also sent in physical therapist to work with her. I feel sure she will soon pull out of this. They are going to keep her in ICU for several more days.

My uncle is so sweet—he’s been rubbing her hands and feet, to help her circulation, rubbing her back and exercising her legs and arms every hour. She cannot manage to administer her pain meds, so he pushes the button for her when she needs it.

They love each other very much; it’s plain to everyone that they are still in love, after 53 years of marriage.

Above is a picture of them, and I truly think they still look as happy and young and beautiful as they did 52 years ago on their first anniversary, especially when they are in each other’s presence.

So, continued prayers and good thoughts will be deeply appreciated.