My grandpa has been in and out of the hospital a lot the last few weeks. He's supposedly being moved to a nursing home now, this way we can be sure he has the proper care 24/7.
At one point he had a very bad ingrown toenail and they had to cut it out. During the healing, one of his idiotic nurses decided to scrape off the scab way too early and it cause an infection...which turned to gangrene. There was a time that the doctors were close to amputating his foot.
He had a catheter inserted a couple months back, but it kept giving him a bladder infection. They went in and did surgery 2 weeks ago, took the catheter from his urethra and went in through his belly button and into his bladder directly.
His left leg (the paralyzed side) tenses up on its own, we used to be able to work his muscles and the leg would relax. Lately the leg will tense up so bad that it will be bent up to his chest and painful to the touch.
He's incredibly weak. While my mom was visiting him at the hospital 2 days ago, he had her come back in while my grandma was in the hallway. He told her that he was ready to go, so my mom asked if he wanted to go home. He said no, that he was ready to go to heaven. My mom told him that he should go then, that we will all miss him but that we will be together soon.
My uncle visited him later that day and told him the same thing. His other kids from around the country have called and told him that they love him and that they will miss him, but we want him to be at peace finally...except for one aunt who thinks that he will make a full recovery, but we already know that's impossible.
I know that a lot of the members of KMC don't like me, but we all have that commonality of having loved ones we care about and can't imagine being without them. So I'm asking for your words of encouragement for myself and my family, and know that if I seem to be in a bad mood it's because I have a ton on my mind lately.
I love my grandpa tremendously and it hurts to know that he will be gone soon. He's always been around since I was a baby. Never too far away.
Grandma and Grandpa at their 52nd Anniversary party (Feb. 14th 2009):
The day of his stroke (Oct. 26th 2009):
Grandpa at the hospital yesterday (Apr. 2nd 2010):
Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
I know you aren't religious, but I'll say a prayer for him. I like the top picture, he looks so happy. He reminds me of my deceased Grandpa, my hero.Keep your chin up, Bro.
Thanks John. That means a lot.
Originally posted by Tired-Hiker
F*ck, Ken. I'm about to cry like a baby. I hope he finds his peace, man. I really do.
I've been on the edge of tears the whole time I was writing that, but I just lost it.
I hope he finds his peace too, thanks Preston. 🙂
Originally posted by Bardock42
I'm sorry, Ken. My grandma is also going through what might be the last few months for her and I know it feels horrible. Sometimes all you can hope for is that the last days are peaceful and spend with the people they love.
I really don't want to be there when he goes because it will hurt too much, but I know he'd want me there. The shitty part is that where he's going to be is over an hour away, so I hope to be able to make it to him before its all said and done.
Just talked to my mom. He's being moved to a home real soon. We looked into it before, but they wanted $8000 a month! We would have done it, if we had anywhere near that kind of money.
The hospital said that since they are sending him there, the first 80 days will be covered 100%, after that the next 120 days will be paid 80% and even after that we will get lots of help with finances. We're really not sure how long he's going to last, so knowing the finances will be covered is a big weight off of everyone's shoulders.
The doctors finally took full scans of his leg that draws up to his chest. His nurses said that he was going into the fetal position, but we knew that wasn't the case because he has no control of that side of his body. The scans revealed that since the stroke, his leg is becoming calcified and hardening up like bone. I believe they have it stretched out again and will keep it down like that, so if it hardens more, at least it will be in a better position for him.
Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
Well there is that, but by that time you will have grandkids, your mindset could change.
If I have grandkids, that is. 😆
Originally posted by Impediment
All I can say, Kenny, is that your gramps is lucky to have you and your family there to be with him during his final days.Truth be told, I wouldn't have the strength for such a deed. I'm too much of a piece of shit.
You say that now, but I'm sure you would find the strength needed when the time arises. I somewhat know you away from the boards and I don't believe you to be a piece of shit. If someone put that into your mind, don't believe them.