For those of you who aren't aware, grampa has been struggling with his health for probably close to two years now. He is 78 years old and there have been multiple times he has been rushed to the hospital and the doctors have told us he isn't going to make it. His organs have shut down and are beyond repair (or so we've been told). He goes between home, nursing homes and hospitals every few months. His heart has only been able to pump at about 20% for well over a year now. We've been told time and time again that people with less than 40% often struggle to even carry on a conversation. Grampa has managed to run the backhoe, lean down into a well house, make his bed, dress and ready himself each day and even walk around WalMart. Our family as well as the medical staff who have worked with him are fascinated by his strength.
The last time he went into the hospital, the ER doctor pretty much assured us he would not make it through the next few days. It was basically medically impossible for him to be alive in the condition he was in. When his regular doctor came in the next morning, I asked him to be direct with me and tell me if we should even attempt to plan where he will go when he gets out of the hospital or if it is likely he will never leave that hospital. His response was, "If it was anyone else, I would have my doubts. But (your grampa) has shocked us time and time again and keeps on going."
That was three months ago. And now, he has built his strength and independence back up to a point where he feels that he could move back home with grama. It's incredible!
Everything got approved and I went down yesterday morning to pick up grama and take her into town to get everything grampa would need to come home. Then we went over to the nursing home to get grampa. It was a precious sight when I opened the door to his room. All of his belongings were neatly packed in trash bags and laid out on his bed. He was sitting in his chair just waiting. He didn't know exactly when we would arrive, but he was ready. No telling how long he'd been ready. He was in his recliner, but his feet weren't propped up. He had his shoes on. The TV was off. He was just waiting for this joyous moment he'd looked forward to and worked so hard to get to. This was his dream come true.
The staff at the nursing home have been such a blessing to grampa and our entire family. It's always a warm welcome when I go in. Many of the nurses know me by name, as does the administrator. They have gone above and beyond time and time again to meet grampa's needs and even do things that are a little extra special for him. One of the nurses brought a cart down to his room and helped me load his things. The administrator called out to me from several feet away behind a desk with a big smile and a wave. It was an incredibly joyous time.
As grampa took his small, slow steps with his cane helping him along, he had lots of interactions between his room and the exit. He talked to, hugged, waved goodbye and thanked everyone in sight. The nurses, aides, residents and staff. Looking back on it now, it feels like a movie scene. That glorious moment when all you've worked so hard for becomes reality. And there is love and gratitude all around for the folks who've helped you get to where you are.
We all went out to lunch and then headed home. The whole time, he was talking about all these ideas he had. Things he wanted to do, things he wanted to buy, how he planned to achieve those things. I'm in absolute awe of this man who defies all odds and simply never stops dreaming.
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