Grandpa

Wednesday, March 15

 Hi Jake,

I just wanted to let you know that your grandpa came home from the rehab center yesterday. He didn’t do too well in there and he’s doing worse now that he’s home. His doctors have decide to put him on hospice care. What that means is they’re just giving him the care he needs to be comfortable, but it’s mostly the last step in care before death. In two day’s they will take him to a care facility. I don’t expect him to stay long Jacob. Just keep him, and your grandma especially in your prayers. I will keep you updated.


Oh hi Bakey,


We went to go see grandpa after work. He’d had a nap and grandma made him some soup and he’s doing a little better. He was talking and mostly making sense, but still slurring his words. Your uncles are helping out and grandma is a little more calm. I still don’t know what is going to happen, I imagine it will just be day-by-day at this point. Just keep them in your prayers and reach out to grandma when you can, even if it’s not till p-day. I’ll keep you updated, but for now no news is good news.


Thursday, March 116


Oh hi kid,


I don’t have much of an update for you. I was fixing the little Jeep (dead battery) while mom and Ben went to grandmas. Mom said he’s doing a little worse than yesterday. They’ve taken him off of his insulin and blood thinners. He can’t sleep in bed because grandma wouldn’t be able to get him in or out. There’s no word on the care facility yet, the nurse is coming tomorrow and may have more information. 


I’m At Joe’s basketball game, they’re not able to score much. But it is the region finals.


Love you kid.


Friday, March 17


Uncle Steven sent this to mom last night around midnight.


An update on Dad: over the last 24 hours he's deteriorated. He had a pretty rough night. Mom called Tim and I about midnight because he was getting fairly delirious. We gave him a blessing and he's been in and out of consciousness since. His speech is slurred and he's confused. Mom is on with hospice right now. It was planned for a nurse to come in today but we're going to see if they can come earlier along with a couple orderlies. Dad can't stand for more than about 20 seconds so we're having a hard time cleaning him up. Mom just got off the phone and hospice is sending an aid right over. We'll keep you updated.


Update,


I just got off the phone with grandma. The nurse came this morning and said grandpa is declining pretty fast. She is going to order him a hospital bed. Joe and I are going to pick up Ben and run up there to clear out the extra bedroom so they can put the hospital bed in there. I'm thinking it will be a matter of days or less Jacob. It's a really hard thing to lose a grandparent. I still remember losing mine, distinctly. Grandma share your letter with mom and I. She said she's read it several times and it has given her real comfort. Your grandparents are my role models. they have always stayed true to their faith. Anyway, I love you kid. I know these are probably not the most pleasant emails to get, but i think you'd rathe be informed than not.


lyity


Update 


Your brothers and I just returned from grandmas. We moved the bed out of that extra bedroom. Grandpa is just struggling right now. He can’t find any comfort or rest in his chair. Grandma sits there and holds his hand. He’s very sweet to her. He grabs her hands and brings them to his forehead. She said last night he put his hands on her and gave her a blessing. She said that she couldn’t understand it. I’m sure Heavenly Father knows his intent and the blessing will be valid. He still has faith in his priesthood. He is a pioneer and a great example.


I’m not sure when the bed is coming or how we’re going to get him in it. I’ll let you know how it happens.


Update


Hey Jacob,


Mom and your brothers got home from grandma and grandpa’s house. The bed came and your uncle’s and mom got grandpa cleaned up and your brother’s helped get him into the bed. Then they stayed and scrubbed his office, threw out his chair and rug, and Joey swept and cleaned up the carpet tape goo. Grandpa was restless in bed so mom told grandma to give him his meds so both her and grandma can rest. I love how your brothers help out. I’ve been on deadline so I stayed home and worked. I’ll probably need to work tonight or this weekend too because I want to clear my plate in case of next week. 


Love you kid 


Saturday, March 18


Hey Jacob,


Mom and your brothers got home from grandma and grandpa’s house. The bed came and your uncle’s and mom got grandpa cleaned up and your brother’s helped get him into the bed. Then they stayed and scrubbed his office, threw out his chair and rug, and Joey swept and cleaned up the carpet tape goo. Grandpa was restless in bed so mom told grandma to give him his meds so both her and grandma can rest. I love how your brothers help out. I’ve been on deadline so I stayed home and worked. I’ll probably need to work tonight or this weekend too because I want to clear my plate in case of next week. 


Update 


Oh hi kid,
We just got back from helping grandma and grandpa out. We got up and went to breakfast with Joey as normal. Then we went shopping at Sam’s club for grandma. She needed stuff for family dinner tomorrow, somehow uncle Tim convinced her that she still needs to feed all of his spawn despite everything. In reality though, if we’re all there, it will probably distract her from her duties and sorrows. She also wanted a new chair to replace grandpa’s that had become pretty soiled. We managed to get one and loaded it up in mom’s Buick. After we unloaded the groceries, we had to help grandpa shift in bed. Even with Ben and mom’s help, it was really difficult. Every move grandpa makes severely  exhausts him. But even though he’s difficult to understand, he really expresses his appreciation. We finally got him settled and grandma gave him his meds so he could rest. We finished setting up the chair and grandma seemed pleased. She wanted some ice and a Diet Coke so we went to Fabulous Freddie’s (calm down uncle David). We’re home now doing chores. 

Sunday, March 19

I know mom told you about grandpa, he passed at 5:33 am. The hospice nurse came and the funeral home just took him away. I sent an email to your mission president, so don’t be surprised if he reaches out to you. Things here are calm, your mom’s doing fine. There’s been a very calm, peaceful feeling here. The Spirit is in grandma’s house as always. You are on my mind and as you reflect and grieve, understand that this peace and understanding of the plan of salvation of Christ’s atonement is the message that you are there to proclaim. I love you kid, I hope that you are okay.

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