My Grandpa

[Teysa]

My grandfather was recently hospitalized. It turned out that he has two aneurysms in his leg and the stint from an old one came out. On top of that he has gone into almost complete renal failure and his liver is not in very good shape either. (He got hepatitis C several years ago from a bad blood transfusion.) The doctors tried putting stints in to take care of one of the aneurysms, but that did not work out too well. He has also suffered a minor stroke since being hospitalized. Currently they have him on a light morphine drip and from what my mom says they're only giving him a week, if that long.

I happened to be in town with my mom visiting another relative when we heard he'd been taken to the hospital, so at least I got to see him. Seeing someone who was always so big and strong and full of life reduced to a shadow of his former self is hard. I know it's even harder on him. He has to suffer through the indignity of a catheter and worse yet, the constant pain.

I don't feel that I should pray for him to live. He's stated repeatedly that he's ready to go home and it would not be right for me to try to hold him here if he doesn't wish to stay. I also know that he won't be suffering anymore.

I'm more concerned about my mother than anything. She's the one who is about to lose her dad. She's been trying to stay strong and is keeping me updated. I'd really like to be up there with her, but I just can't afford the time off.

[Bella_Vixen]

*many hugs*

[freeatlast]

Just be a supportive as you possibly can - I'm sure she'll need it. I lost my Dad just a month ago and my daughter was a great comfort to me.

[Teysa]

Update

Thankyou for the support. My mom called early this morning saying that he had passed away. I was sort of expecting it. I had a major insomnia attack last night and had just finally tired out enough to go to bed when the phone rang. Any call after 3AM can't be good news. I do know he's not hurting anymore but I'm still going to miss him. Cantankerous old coot that he was. At least I was already scheduled off work today and my supervisor was very supportive when I called her to let her know what was going on and that I would be needing some time off for the funeral.

My mom seems to be holding it together pretty well so far. Then again, she's always been a pretty tough old bird. She's mainly relieved that her dad is not going through all that pain anymore. I'm very glad she and her dad were able to reconcile the last few years of his life. This would be a lot harder on her, I think, if they were still not getting along.

[Sheldonrs]

Very big *HUGS*. I'm very sorry.

[Dreamstalker]

*HUGS* Your mom might need you now, hang in there.

[Teysa]

Thanks guys. Don't worry I will be there for my mom.

[Der Cute]

Celebrate the memories with your mom. It sounds like he was an ornery guy- and those people always have good stories!

Hugs, and I hope things go better soon.

Cutenoob

[MaggieTheCat]

*offers hugs and lots of comfort food*

You be there for your mom. We'll be here for you whenever you need us.

[Teysa]

You know what they say about raining and pouring? I got word last night that my dad's mom had a stroke and was taken to the hospital. So far, she's holding on, but my dad and stepmom ended up making an emergency trip to Pennsylvania. I'll be sad when her time comes, but I haven't seen her in over 20 years so it probably won't be the same.

My remaining grandparents (Mom's mother, dad's mom, and mom's stepmother) are all 80+ so I guess the parts are just starting to wear out. Anyways thanks again for the support and comfort food. At least with the funeral arrangements being what they are, I won't have to be back at work until Wednesday.