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My Grandpa

My grandpa is in the ICU following a fall yesterday which resulted in a large subdural hematoma.  It is inoperable due to his age (80) and the size of the bleed.  The neurosurgeon didn't give us any hope since so much damage has already been done.

This is a man who had his first heart attack at the age of 41 (so 49 years ago).  He has had multiple heart bypass surgeries, coded several times in the hospital, and defied strict dietary orders by eating his nightly bowl of ice cream before bed.  With chocolate sauce.

He has a wonderful belly laugh, ornery smile, and hugs you like he hasn't seen you in ages.  He loves raising chickens of various types and his dogs which are great pyrenees.  He and Grandma still spend late nights at the local casino (playing blackjack, but mostly making friends), love to shop at Sam's, and he still works with my uncle part-time. 

I need some prayers and kind comments.  Maybe a funny story or two.  Because this is one of my very favorite people to have ever walked this earth.  And this may literally tear my large, dysfunctional family apart. 

Grandpa with Paisley on Thanksgiving

Comments

  1. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your grandpa.

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  2. First the serious, my thoughts and prayers are with you and especially for your Grandpa. I'm praying for a complete miracle healing for him!

    Second, Hope this makes you smile: I am a nurse. My mom has a lady that works with her who, every time she hears of someone's ailment, she's either had it, got it or knows someone who has it 10 times worse. Also, she is very-shall we say-dumb.
    This is a true story. I told my mom to bring up in conversation that (me) her daughter just found out that she has a subdural hematoma on her duodenum. If you know anything about human anatomy-for this to happen your intestines would literally have to be wrapped around your brain.
    Would you believe that this girl's aunt has had this condition for years?
    I swear this is a true story.

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  3. My prayers and thoughts are with your grandpa, you and your family. I wish I could come up with a funny story for you... but I'm not so funny on the spot. Instead, can I give you a bloggy friend hug? :)

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  4. I'm so, so sorry to hear about your Grandpa. I'm sending happy thoughts your way today. And...because you asked. Here goes.
    "One morning a local highway department crew reaches their job-site and realizes they have forgotten all their shovels.

    The crew's foreman radios the office and tells his supervisor the situation.

    The supervisor radios back and says, "Don't worry, we'll send some shovels...just lean on each other until they arrive."

    Hope you can find a smile today. :)

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  5. So sorry to hear your family is facing a tragic situation with your grandpa. No matter how long and wonderful a life a person has lived, it's hard to think of it ending. And I understand how every difficult situation is so much worse when there's family dysfunction involved!

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  6. Oh so sorry, Amber! Your family will miss him if this is his time to go...but what a blessing that you had him for so long. I always get a little sad when I hear stories like this because I never had a grandparent like this - one who I had this connection with. I will be thinking of you as you pray for your grandpa.

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  7. praying for your grandpa to get a miracle and praying for your family to stay strong and stick together for his sake. :(

    ReplyDelete

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