Sunday, January 22, 2012

Making Time.....for Grandpa

Just over a week ago, my father-in-law had quadruple bypass surgery.  He went in on Thursday to see if he had any blockages.  He had 4.  2 complete.  They didn't let him go home.

My husband spent all day Friday and Saturday morning at the hospital.  Saturday night didn't go well, so he drove the 2.5 hours again on Sunday with some of the kids.  We went again on Tuesday for the day.  Wednesday night into Thursday morning the staff had to shock him 11 times.  Yes, 11 times.  My hubby left at 3 am (after getting home at 1:30 am from a basketball game) to go see his dad, not sure if he would make it.  He called me at 9am.  "Bring the kids."

In tears, I called the schools and the kids came home.  In a daze, not sure if this would be the last time we would see Grandpa, we loaded up, dropped the dog off at a friend's home and made the 2.5 hour drive again.

My 2nd daughter had a really tough choice to make.  She was packed to leave on a bus trip to Washington DC at 4:30 that afternoon for the March for Life.  I told her I would support her 100% either way.  She chose to stay home for her grandfather.  I am proud of her.  Washington DC will be there.  Grandpa may not.

So, we spent Thursday in the waiting room with Grandma, all of Grandpa's siblings & spouses, 15 grandkids, 8 kids w/ 4 spouses, some friends and a priest.  43 people!  And more food sent in than 43 people can eat.  In awe over the kindness of friends.

Grandpa had all the kids come in to his ICU room to see him.  Lots of tears.  And laughs....Grandpa was having some great hallucinations!  Cattle rustlers....monkeys on tricycles....kittens in the hallway.  We needed laughs :)

We spend Thursday night and most of the day Friday at the hospital.  I brought the kids home Friday afternoon.  My hubby stayed.  It felt strange, but we had given the kids tickets to a concert for Christmas.  So I took them....all of us going half-heartedly.  We enjoyed it, yet not fully, and left early.  Strange.

Saturday my hubby returned home.  We had "normal life" to think of.  A basketball game for my 7 year old son and a volleyball tourney for my 13 year old daughter.  (They both won!)

The docs did their thing.  They got his medication regulated.  Grandpa would be moved out of ICU on Sunday.  We decided another 2.5 hour drive was in order.  I wanted the kids to see Grandpa out of the ICU room.  He was exhausted and they only saw him for a couple of minutes, but that couple of minutes gave them much needed peace of mind.

His heart is badly damaged.  Grandpa has 1-2 weeks left in the hospital.  More decisions have to be made about future treatments.  And Grandma is relieved....and exhausted!

Now, here we are on Sunday night....lost homework, lost field trip forms.....a note needing pudding sent to school by Monday (TOMORROW!)...a lost Redbox movie.....and lots of grumpy tired people.

BUT.....we still have Grandpa!  We know we have a family that comes together for prayer and fun.  We know that God answers prayers.  We know that we can drop everything and survive in crisis mode.  We know that we have friends that care.  And we know that we now need sleep!  And lots of it!

Always make time to hug the ones you love.  Leave no regrets.

1 comment:

  1. Time together is almost always well spent. Even if everyone is grumpy or you happen to be in a hospital waiting room. Prayers to you. I am thinking of you and miss you my friend!

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