Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Update on Grandpa

I've gotten some emails/comments regarding my Grandpa - thank you so much, everyone. I appreciate all the kind words/prayers. Means the world to me to have the support of friends/family.

My Grandpa is doing better. They actually discharged him on Monday since there isn't anything they can do for him at this point. They would like to change his pace maker, but right now it's too risky to do that procedure as it's likely he could hemorrhage. So for now he goes home and works on regaining some strength.

Grandpa has a VERY strong desire to live and is a fighter, so I am remaining hopeful, and won't let myself give into the 'what ifs' that run through my mind. I'm also working on erasing the image of what he looked like on Saturday from my mind as I caught him on a really, really off day, so there's no need for me to dwell on the condition he was in. I read this Glamour staffer's blog - she is a major worrier, and her therapist gave her some great advice:

"Whenever you start worrying that something bad will happen in the future," she said wisely, "Tell yourself, 'This is not a story I have to tell myself.'" You just don't have to continue imagining these tragic narratives.

So that's what I'm trying to do this week!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

When he is home he can work to regain the strength he lost in that hospital bed. It is always such a relief to be home. I hope it helps him!!!

aimee said...

glad to hear he is doing better! i will continue to pray for him!

Marlys said...

I stopped at their house when they got home and they were so happy to be there! Grandpa looks jaundiced but that is because his body has to get rid of all the blood that accumulated in his abdomen and back from the arterial rupture. Joel said his back side is completely and totally black from waist to hips, and his forearms are black from the needle pokes etc. Because he has been lying on his back for all that time, the blood pooled to his back, so at least his stomach isn't distended anymore. I don't know which is better? He is having some sciatic pain but other than that he is comfortable. He wasn't home long before he took a cat nap in his beloved chair! I'll keep you posted.