Wake-Up Call

This past Sunday morning I received a phone call from my dad at 6:20 in the morning. It woke me up. When I saw it was him calling I said, "Oh no." Dad never calls that early unless it is an emergency. And emergent it was.

My Grandpa Fred (Dad's dad) died.

He died six times on the operating table while a team of twenty-two (22!!!) medical professionals worked their guts out to partially clear one of his main arteries that had become 100% blocked causing a massive heart attack.

But he is still alive!! He is a miracle. The second time he flat-lined was the longest duration of the six. So long, in fact, that the doctor was looking up at the clock to pronounce the time of death when Grandpa's heart miraculously produced a rhythm.

After I hung up the phone the only thing running through my mind was the fact that I have been such a TERRIBLE granddaughter. I had neither seen nor spoken to Grandpa in 3 1/2 years. The last time I saw him, Landon was only 3 months old.

So, we packed our bags and headed out that evening and spent the next 48 hours mending hearts. No pun intended. ;)

When I first made it to the hospital (Plug for Banner Baywood Heart Hospital in Mesa, AZ! Stellar!!!) Grandpa had a breathing tube down his throat, NINE intravenous drips, numerous other wires running all over the place, and a clip-board and pencil to communicate. All I wanted to do was throw my arms around him and meld into one of his famous tight-squeeze hugs, so long overdue. But all I could do was kiss his head and tell him I was sorry.

He was obviously frustrated at his inability to speak. It is amazing how primitive conversation becomes when half of it comes through chiseled lead and impromptu sign-language! Haha! I showed him pictures of my kiddos and promised him that we'd be down to see him soon after his departure from the hospital so he may see his great-grandchildren in person.

24 hours after that I never would have guessed when I saw him that he'd look as well as he did. He was sitting up in bed, chowing down on his first solid meal in three days, and had ditched 3 of the 4 IV machines he'd had the day before. Onward and upward!!!

At this point it's not looking like he's a good candidate for bypass surgery, as you can't really stitch into an artery of stone. So for now, everyday is a precious gift.