We were all sitting around at my Grandmother's apparent favorite restaurant. She and someone from the family have come to this spot at least 4-5 times in the course of like 3-4 weeks! I must admit that the food was good and the dessert was even better. I knew I was getting another banana pudding to take home (cuz I was definitely too full).
East Lansing Aunt answered her cell phone. I didn't really hear what the conversation was. It was brief and short. Then I knew what we'd feared had occurred. Papa was no longer with us. He died peacefully at home in Kentucky with his family near him.
Of course, this news took us all to a different place. With Grandaddy just down the street in his rehab center and our Kentucky family so far away--all I could think of was going there. We finished our dinner, went back to see Grandaddy and then headed back to my place with my San Diego Grandmother and Aunt and my East Lansing Aunt. If I have to see one more Law and Order, I think I'll rip my head off! Actually, it's not that bad. I just felt the need to add some dramatics. My San Diego Grandmother just loves Law and Order and would be quite comfy just watching reruns over and over. We finally slipped in Death At A Funeral and laughed until our ribs hurt.
By Thursday, I was working toward getting packed and heading to East Lansing to hitch a ride with my East Lansing Aunt and my Grand Rapids Aunt's friends. My day was spent with my Chicago Aunt and my mom as we searched for a mattress and a microwave for my mom. We went to Macy's and found an amazing deal on a mattress and then on to Target to find a great microwave. My mom suggested that we have lunch before dropping off her microwave at home and heading to see Grandaddy. Of course, we hit KFC where I was surprised to discover that the honey wasn't real honey. My Chicago Aunt is really great at pointing out little things like that. She also made me stuff my purse with wet wipes because you never know when you'll need wet wipes.
Grandaddy is coming along. He's been reintroduced to pureed foods. His offsite swallow test was favorable. He has thrush and has taken medication for it. The color shifting of his tongue shows signs of the thrush clearing up. I sat through a therapy session with him where he had to grab colored cylinders from the therapist's hand. The therapist speculated that Grandaddy has some form of myopia.
My Grandmother had a meeting with the rehab facility's therapists and care management team. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to a work conflict. I asked my Grandmother about the facility's goals and treatment plan for Grandaddy. She stated that the facility does not have any concrete expectations for him. That statement alone, was unsettling. I do understand now that I have to have direct contact with Grandaddy's health care team because this all has to be extremely stressful for my Grandmother. She shouldn't have to answer my 101 questions as well.
I said my goodbyes to my mom, my Chicago Aunt & Uncle, my Grandmother and Grandaddy. I headed back home to pick up my suitcase and then got on the Lodge to head toward East Lansing.
I arrived to my East Lansing Aunt's house shortly after 7PM. My San Diego Grandmother was of course watching, yet again, another episode of Law and Order. My East Lansing Aunt, my San Diego Aunt and I were sitting around another TV watching the day's earlier taping of my East Lansing Aunt's favorite soaps. My San Diego Aunt and I laughed so hard as we tried to maneuver through the many twisted plots of the Young and the Restless. I like the Bold and the Beautiful myself. Although, I haven't watched the soaps in like 100 years, I'm really happy to see that Brooke is with Ridge. And who in the world gave Stephanie that makeover?
It was something so warm about being in the presence of family. I had a moment there that I didn't want to let go of. It's so unfortunate that illness is the thread that has caused this web of togetherness. But it's good to know that when you need support and help the most, the first ones to arrive on the scene is family. I am so fortunate to have mine.
Tomorrow, we will set off on a trip to say goodbye to our amazing Papa. It feels so surreal. He was just cracking jokes during Christmas. I'm not so sure how this all will really feel for me. I'm just so saddened for my East Lansing Aunt and Uncle, my Grand Rapids Aunt, KY Grandmother and the rest of the Fab Five,
For now, I just plan to settle in to this incredible warmth from this home and the closeness that it's providing. It's now sunset. I'll have to find a way to wake up and keep going when I know that the next day will be my final time casting my eyes on Papa.
My Grandmother had a meeting with the rehab facility's therapists and care management team. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to a work conflict. I asked my Grandmother about the facility's goals and treatment plan for Grandaddy. She stated that the facility does not have any concrete expectations for him. That statement alone, was unsettling. I do understand now that I have to have direct contact with Grandaddy's health care team because this all has to be extremely stressful for my Grandmother. She shouldn't have to answer my 101 questions as well.
I said my goodbyes to my mom, my Chicago Aunt & Uncle, my Grandmother and Grandaddy. I headed back home to pick up my suitcase and then got on the Lodge to head toward East Lansing.
I arrived to my East Lansing Aunt's house shortly after 7PM. My San Diego Grandmother was of course watching, yet again, another episode of Law and Order. My East Lansing Aunt, my San Diego Aunt and I were sitting around another TV watching the day's earlier taping of my East Lansing Aunt's favorite soaps. My San Diego Aunt and I laughed so hard as we tried to maneuver through the many twisted plots of the Young and the Restless. I like the Bold and the Beautiful myself. Although, I haven't watched the soaps in like 100 years, I'm really happy to see that Brooke is with Ridge. And who in the world gave Stephanie that makeover?
It was something so warm about being in the presence of family. I had a moment there that I didn't want to let go of. It's so unfortunate that illness is the thread that has caused this web of togetherness. But it's good to know that when you need support and help the most, the first ones to arrive on the scene is family. I am so fortunate to have mine.
Tomorrow, we will set off on a trip to say goodbye to our amazing Papa. It feels so surreal. He was just cracking jokes during Christmas. I'm not so sure how this all will really feel for me. I'm just so saddened for my East Lansing Aunt and Uncle, my Grand Rapids Aunt, KY Grandmother and the rest of the Fab Five,
For now, I just plan to settle in to this incredible warmth from this home and the closeness that it's providing. It's now sunset. I'll have to find a way to wake up and keep going when I know that the next day will be my final time casting my eyes on Papa.
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