Thots from Mikayla who is on mission in Spain

Hello Family,


It was good to talk with you, just wish it was under different circumstances.

I have been thinking about grani and the things she has done for me and influenced me to do. On the bus the other day, I took some time to write some thoughts. I will share them with you!

Grani always influenced me to be the best person I could be. She always pushed me to be better and work harder. She never allowed for me to close off my thoughts and think that I was only good for one thing.

She taught me to always push the limit.

She taught me to fight for the good.

She taught me to be strong and defend what I believe.

Grani taught me the importance of family and how necessary it is to have a strong foundation in the gospel.

She helped me to realize the importance of Music. In schools, In Church, and in the home.

She taught me the freedom that comes from knowledge.

I remember when I lived with her, how important it was for her to fill her time with learning about good things.

She exemplified the 13th Article of Faith: If there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

She taught me that knowledge is power.

She taught me the importance of being a strong woman.

She taught me to love.

We shared some special moments together while I lived with her.

She taught me to realize and take advantage of the opportunities that I have been given.

She showed me the way for her children and grandchildren.

She really blessed all of our lives.

What a great woman she has been in my life.

I know that if I mess around and be stupid here on earth, she will get permission from the Big Man and come down and kick me a good one.

I love my grandmother. She is a huge influence in my life.


I love you all so much.
Hermana Mikayla

Marlene's Funeral

Marlene Skouson's Funeral will be Friday May 7th at 1:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint Chapel on 9830 Elkhorn Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89149. For all family members and those from out of town, there will be a meal following the service. We would love to have you join us. We have appreciated all of your prayers, letters, thoughts and phone calls throughout the past 14 months.

Much love,
The Skouson Family

Grani's Death

Grani took her last breath on Sunday May 2, 2010 at 6:25 AM. She passed away peacefully with five of her children around her.

Grani's Cancer is Progressing

Over Confererence weekend (April 2 amd 3), Grani started falling regularly, mostly coming and going to the bathroom, so we determined that the wheelchair was the safest way to travel. She struggled giving up her freedom, but realized damage from a fall would cause way more complications, so has been a pretty good sport.

Sterling and Regina came to stay April 14 - 19 while Lisa and Merrill took Douglas to BYUI for school, and they had a ball together!!! Grani raved about the terrific care she received, and Sterling and Regina did so much to help around the house. Thanks tons, the 2 of you!!!

Last Thursday, April 22, Grani had a major decline. She no longer can stand on her own un-attended, because her legs buckle beneath her, so she is in the bed or the wheelchair 24/7.
She is also very confused with processes, and has to be reminded especially how to use her body. Her mind is clear as to people and relationships, but where to put her feet when climbing into the wheelchair is an entirely different story.

She spends alot of her nights dreaming about very unusual things. Sometimes people come to see her, or animals dance around her ceiling. Just last night, she was in the desert in a tent with some silly women who were in the way when she needed to go potty. :) She frequently wakes up in different rooms, in her mind, and sometimes can't find the way out. It's never boring with Grani!!!!

She really wants to go, and can't imagine why she is being punished this way, having to linger so long. As usual, thanks to all for your prayers and good wishes!!

Grani has new wheels. Last Sunday, while using the walker, she fell reaching for the candy tray, so she decided it was time for the wheelchair. Her knees have given out, pretty much permanently. The first day was a bit of an adjustment, but after she figured out how to control the wheels, she realized she was much more mobile.


She also had another TIA (mini-stroke) which caused her face to be numb on the right side from her tongue to her eye area. She says it feels like Novocaine following a dentist visit. This makes eating a challenge, so soups have become a favorite meal choice.

Her sisters, Carol and Cathy, came to visit 2 weeks ago, and the 3 of them they had a wonderful time. They laughed a lot about when they were young. We got a kick watching them in matching jean shirts. It must be a genetic flaw. :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Grani's home to yours!!

Thanks Pat for the reminder that at least one person is following this blog. :) Up until yesterday, not much has happened since the seizure. But yesterday, Grani had another episode of some undiagnosed sort. Marilyn, the hospice nurse, thought possibly a TIA, brain tumor growth, or swelling around the tumor. Whatever the cause, Grani woke up with a major headache, and took a pain killer and went back to bed. Later in the morning, after skipping breakfast, she felt flu like, and went back to bed. She kept saying she just felt better lying down. After a piece of toast and juice by noonish, she started struggling finding words, and slurring her speech. She took an anziety pill, and went back to bed. Jeffrey popped over, and when she awoke, she toddled out to the living room, and was quite giddy and amusing, though we don't think she realized her situation too well. She really struggled with conversations and kept giggling as she tried to find the correct words. We decided she was dilated to a 6, so to speak. (Through this whole process we have related death to birth, so dilation, in both senses, is symbolic for progress.) After sleeping just about around the clock, she woke up this morning feeling better, and wondering what happened. She remembers being REALLY tired, and just needing sleep. Her speech is about 90% back to normal. In general, she has changed to flannel PJ's for her clothing choice
because of comfort and ease of use. She also has rehearsed with the whole "Depends" thing, and has decided she'd rather die first!!

Grani had a major seizure yesterday afternoon at about 12:30 PM. She convulsed quite rigorously according to Jeffrey Skouson and Douglas Hogg, who were with her at the time. She stopped breathing for about a minute, and was unconscious for about 30 minutes. She pulled through, and today is eating and talking fairly normally. The hospice nurse said more seizures were very probable. Grani felt no pain, and doesn't even remember a thing, though Jeffrey and Douglas do!


We are with her around the clock mainly for safety reasons. Falling at this time would not be good. She seems to be handling the 24 surveillance team (her children and grandchildren) quite well. :) Her spirits are amazing. Grani is still Grani - not frightened at all, really looking toward the future, and full of spunk!