"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place."
-- Unknown
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Monday, April 20, 2009

I need a favor, friends

Happy Monday. I hope you all had a good weekend. Mine? Well, mine was rough. I’m afraid I need your prayers again, dear friends.

Early Friday, my granddad was rushed to the hospital as he gasped for breath and his heart rate skyrocketed. My granddad — the strongest man I’ve ever met. A retired Marine with a booming voice and solid body. My granddad, who I’ve never seen sick a single day in my 24 years.

Grandma said that he’d been fighting a cold for awhile, but refused to go to the doctor. By the time he arrived at the hospital, his “cold” had become full-blown pneumonia. He had a lot of fluid on his lungs, which was putting an enormous strain on his heart. They quickly moved him from the ER to the ICU, where he’s currently still hooked to a ventilator, heavily sedated.

They said he appears to be doing better. His heart rate has dropped from the upper 160s to around 95, and his oxygen saturation is back in the 90s, which the nurse said is a good sign.

They pulled him off of the sedative briefly yesterday to see if he could respond to some simple commands. They asked him to squeeze their hands and open his eyes. He could do neither. They think he might have been consciously trying, though. Each time they’d ask him to do something, his heart rate would increase, but nothing else would happen. Maybe it just takes time.

As worried as I am about him, I know that if anybody can beat this, he can. He’s a fighter. He’s stubborn and hardheaded (in the best way possible) and has never been one to give up. I have faith.

Plus, now he has all of you thinking about him and praying for him, too – right? That’s got to count for something.

19 comments:

Diane said...

Oh, honey... you know you both have my very best, most positive thoughts ever... always. Keep us posted... XO

Rachel Cotterill said...

My father in law (who's 80) went into hospital just before Christmas. He was unconscious for a long time, we were really worried whether he'd ever wake up again. But he's now in regular speech therapy & physio - still in hospital, but learning to function again.

The moral of this story is that miracles do happen. We just need to arrange one for your granddad... the power of the blogosphere must count for something! x

septembermom said...

I will pray for your granddad. I'll keep him in my thoughts. Sending you hugs today.

Andy - Instafather said...

Having a family member get ill like that, much less a strong, virile one, can really be heartbreaking. Here's hoping he makes a full recovery, Heather.

A. Jayme said...

Hi Heather . . . . just bopping by to see if you posted anything about your Grampa, and you did . . . which is so good . . . I know your blog family will be a tremendous support for you . . . hang in there sweetie, we are praying for Grampa . . . he is going to pull through this, for all of you. Love you!

Dan Felstead said...

Heather...
I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather and of course our prayers are with you and you grandfather today. Any way we (your blog friends) can support you...just let us know. Keep us posted as to what I hope will be a miraculous recovery.

Dan

Kim said...

Oh Heather, my prayers are definitely with your grandad. He sounds like a strong and wonderful man. It must be nice for him to have such loving and caring family like you around him in this terrible time.

Anonymous said...

H, we're praying for your granddad and for all of the family.

I love you,
AJ

H.K. said...

I am so sorry to hear about your granddad! I can tell you have a very close relationship with him, I will definitely include him in my prayers. Keep us updated with his condition.

Lacey said...

You've definitely got my prayers, Heather. Keep us updated, okay?

Kitten said...

Prayers and hugs coming your way!

Jenners said...

Good thoughts sent to you and your family. This must be tough to see such a strong man in this condition.

Anonymous said...

i stumbled over from jenners' blog and am so sorry to hear about your grandfather! i'll be thinking good thoughts and wishes for a speedy and full recovery.

Melanie Gillispie said...

You got it...prayers for you and granddad! <3

hebba said...

SOrry to hear about your Grampa. Positive vibes out to you and him.

Jessica said...

Hey hun! I'm sending plenty of prayers and good thoughts your way.. he CAN make it out of this. Just support him as much as you can. Please keep us updated!

meredith said...

Already in my thoughts and prayers! Hang in there!

~Meredith

Anonymous said...

I do hope your granddad recovers, grandparents are so very precious aren't they.

God bless,
CJ xx

Dan Felstead said...

Heather....Tuesday morning...any news?

Dan