Thursday, June 14, 2007

My grandma asked me last Friday morning if we would be able to come down to where my Grandpa was in the hospital and stay with her if she needed us to. I, of course, told her yes. Well she called later that day and said that she was going to stay so if we could come down it would be appreciated. So, when Eric got off work we went down to the hospital. When we got there my grandpa wasn't doing too well. He had to have surgery before we got there, because they had to put a tube in his chest to drain the fluid that was building on his heart. Well, we stayed and talked to him for a while, but when he was getting tired we decided to leave and let him rest. So, we went to a motel for the night. The next morning we got up early and went in to visit him. He was up, but his blood pressure was really low it kept falling to about 55/46. It went up a few times to normal, and towards the afternoon Grandma was tired and asked the nurse if he was stable enough for us to leave, he said yes. Well, we took her back to the motel and went and piddled around town for a while. When we got back, she was up and we sat and talked a while before heading to the hospital again. When we got there they had the curtain in his room pulled and a ton of people were in there working on him. A guy asked if we were the family, and then said that somebody would be out to talk to us soon. Grandma kept asking if something had happened, but he wouldn't answer. Well, a lady did come out and gave Grandma the phone, and the person on the phone told her that Grandpa's heart was trying to give out. So, they had us go to the waiting room so we couldn't hear everything that was going on. A few minutes later the dr came out and said they had one option left, to put in a pace maker and see if that would work. Grandma said to do it and try and give him every chance. Well, they had to put him on a respirator and when tried to put the pace maker in. They didn't even get the pace maker in before his heart gave up. It was so sad being there with Grandma when the dr told her that her husband of 32 years was gone. I'm glad, however, that we were there, because at least we were there with her to give her a little bit of comfort and so she wasn't alone in her time of need. I had the task to make the phone calls to tell everyone he was gone. Grandma asked me to call Grandpa's son. That was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. I don't know the guy and I had never talked to him, and it was so heartbreaking to have to tell him his dad wasn't with us anymore, but at least it took some weight off of Grandma's shoulders. We were with Grandma all week, they let Eric off for the week too. We had Grandpa's funeral yesterday, and it had military honors. Eric got to present the flag to Grandma, which was very special to both of them. I've lost both my grandpa's in a 9 month period. I have one left, my mom's dad, but he has never been in our life and so this Grandpa was my Grandpa. I loved him so much, and he will be missed.

5 comments:

Courtney said...

I hate to hear this Michelle. I'm so sorry! What a powerful picture that is. I'm literally in tears. If you need to talk Michelle I'm here ok! God bless you & your family.

kbug said...

I'm so sorry, Michelle, it's hard to lose someone you love. How wonderful that Eric was able to present the flag to your grandmother, though...that had to be such a touching moment. At my uncle's memorial service, a military honor guard folded and presented the flag and played taps. I don't think there was a dry eye in the church after that...there's just something so moving about that.....my prayers are with your grandmother and your family.

ABW said...

Sorry to hear about your Grandfather. The picture was very touching and I am glad that y'all were able to be there for her. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers....

Michelle said...

I am so sorry to hear that Michelle. You made me cry just reading the post. I know how I felt when Ray gave his grandma pappy's flag, it was by far the most moving thing I have ever seen. Its a great honor that Eric got to be a part of that.

My prayers are with you and your family. Take care.

Glo said...

Sorry to hear about you grandpa. Our prayers are with you and your family.