My mom, Patricia Grimes, passed away unexpectedly on November 17, 2024 after a cancer diagnosis on the 13th. My mom has been my best friend, confidant, cheerleader and cohort all my life. We’ve worked together, served together, attended church together, gone on trips together–our lives were so intertwined. We talked almost daily and I made a point to see her about once a week. We have countless happy memories and she truly was the best mom a girl could ask for. I’m forever grateful for the 47 years I got with her but I also feel cheated that we didn’t get more time on this side of Heaven.
April 2024 was her last “normal” month. She often remarked that she didn’t feel like herself, plus she was experiencing back pain and stomach issues. Her doctor tried a few treatments plus physical therapy but her discomfort kept increasing. Eventually an X-ray was ordered where they discovered fractures in her spine. She was then sent to a spine specialist who ordered an MRI. That revealed cancer or tumors in her spine so a Pet scan was ordered and she was sent to an oncologist. By that point she was only comfortable in her recliner with a heating pad and wasn’t functioning beyond resting in her chair. She lost over twenty pounds and was barely eating, and wasn’t leaving the house.
On November 7th she had the Pet Scan on her 54th wedding anniversary. On November 13th I went with her and my dad to her appointment when we found out she had “widespread” cancer. High calcium levels contributed to her spine fractures so she received an infusion that day to bring her calcium levels down. A biopsy and additional MRIs were ordered for November and December and she was prescribed a strong pain medication. She never made it to those appointments. Late on Saturday, November 16th she had a fall due to issues in her lungs, stomach and heart, and passed away around 6am on the morning of the 17th, just three days before her 75th birthday. My dad was with her through it all. Soon after, in the early morning after she’d passed, Drew and I met my dad at the hospital and I was able to kiss her goodbye.
One of my favorite photos of her: us together at Easter at church. It was the one that was framed in Kate’s room from when she was a baby. One of Kate’s first words was “Nana,” pointing at this picture. It breaks my heart that Kate only had seven years with her Nana. The grace is that they were seven years overflowing with joy and love.
Of course there are many other details I won’t share here. It’s been a lot to process. My mom was my world and I thought I had at least twenty more years with her, especially given that her mother lived past 100! We are shocked and heart broken.
We are also so incredibly grateful she is now in Heaven and out of pain. She touched so many lives. Feel free to leave a message on my Instagram or Facebook–we love reading them.
Mail can be sent to our mailing address: 2925 E Riggs Rd. St. 8-219 Chandler, AZ 85249
This photo is from Easter 2024.
Visit my Facebook and Instagram for more updates and photos.
Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 11th at 1:00pm at Heart Cry Church in Queen Creek, AZ.
Read her obituary here: Obituary for Pat Grimes
For the latest on my business plans and offerings, visit this post.
0 Comments