[Half Squid]

Myself and my family have been through a very tough week, and it's not yet over. Between myself, my mother, my aunt, her husband, and my cousin Jay, and my uncle Brian none of us have slept much this week. We have been at the hospital for many many hours everyday. My aunt, uncle and mother have been there almost the entire time sleeping in visitor lounges or in my grandparents room on recliners.

I lost my Grandfather late last night and came close to loosing my Grandmother along side of him. My grandparents are more like my second set of parents. I spent lots of time with them growing up, and beacuse of it I got in the habbit of calling them Mom & Dad. I still do to this day.

The worst part of the whole week was waiting and watching knowing your loved one is dying. I am thankfull I was able to have the time to spend with him and say good bye.

It all started this past Monday. My grandfather age 80 was in his backhoe in his own yard about to get some work done. Before he got the tractor warmed up he suffered from a stroke and passed out in the cab of the tractor. He fell off the seat and onto the floor hitting his head very hard on the door frame. When my grandmother came home, pretty much right after he passed out. She found him in the tractor on the floor and not breathing. She immediately called 911 and ran over to get their neighbor that was a nurse. The neighbor checked and said my grandfather was breathing and said let the perimedics come and get him to the hospital.

My grandfather spent almost all night in the ER. The immediate family and close friends were contacted because the doctors were not sure if he would survive the night. He suffered from a severe stroke, blood filled the right side of the brain so badly he was in a comma and was paralized on his whole right side.

Being such the strong man he was his whole life my grandfather held on strongly through most of the week. The doctors told us on Tuesday his condition was permanent, there was no hope he would ever awake from his comma, and would never regain feeling or control to the right side of his body, he also suffered from major brain damage. The doctors were very honest and caring when informing the family he could last a day or a few months, but more than likely it would not be very long.

In order to keep him alive they had to hook him up to an I.V. a breathing tube as well as a suction tube into his stomack to get out blood that was draining from his brain down into his stomack. Very early Tuesday Morning the family decided together he was only a vegtable and we should not prolong his path and hold on while he suffered. So we choose to have the breathing tube removed. Being the strong man my grandfather was not effected, he was breathing absolutely fine on his own! I was glad! I was not ready to say good bye. Once they got him stable my grandfather was moved into a room for care. Most of the family returned home for some sleep except my grandmother, my uncle and aunt. Well around 3 AM after all the stress and comotion my grandmother had a heartattack and was immidiately sent to the ER downstairs. When they got her settled down Wednesday afternoon, the hospital arrainged to have both my grandmother and grandfather in the same room together seeing it would be there last few days together.
My grandmother slowley got better and we are still waiting for her final test results to see what needs to be done for her, so she is still at the hospital. Last I heard she had a blockage in her arteries and may need angioplasty surgery, if the blockage is more severe she will need open heart surgery.
My grandfather slowely desended all week, he had one really good day where everyone had thoughts he would last a while, but come thursday you could see everything about him slow down, so once again everybody spent some alone time with him to say their final good bye's. When I went in to see him it was about 10:30PM, I had my own time with him but I couldn't bare to stay too long. I could tell how slow he was breathing and couldn't bare the thought of him dying while I was right there. I spend about 15 minutes there and went right out and told my mother and uncle what he was doing and said I couldn't bare to see him go. After that my aunt and mother spent the rest of the time with him. They were the closest to him than anyone. Well I am pretty sure they were both in with him when he paseed at 11:08PM Thursday night. I felt something was wrong all of a sudden got up. When I walked into the hallway from the family room I saw my mother aunt and uncle all crying. My mother and aunt both mouthed to me he was gone. I was speechless, I just went over to hold my mother, she needed it.

We spent the rest of the time with my grandmother making sure she was ok and kept her calm so she didn't end up having another heart attack. After seeing my grandfather slowly fade away everybody was sort of at piece with the idea he was gone and no longer suffering. If he was to have died immediately the day of the incedent I am sure all of us would have taking it a lot harder. We all had time to say good bye and have some time with him. I just hope he knows we were there for him. I swear he knew I was there the first night when I was talking to him.

Know my thoughts are with my grandmother to live long and happy like her own mother did living to 98. My grandmother is 78 will have a tough time adjusting. My grandparents were married 59 1/2 years and did everything together, so this is going to be very tough for her. She should be ok financially, but may have to eventually sell off my grandparents dream home that my grandfather built. I wish someone in our family could afford to buy it. We are going to do everything we can so she can keep it, and also keep the house in the family. It would be my grandfathers wish. There is a little bit of everyone in the family in that house, we all contributed somehow to either building or decorating the house. I wish I could afford the house, it is absolutely beautiful and huge!

I am actually in good spirits knowing my grandfather is not suffering anymore.
I just needed to share this with people hoping it would get a message out there...

Time with family is precious. Spend any time you can with them because you really never know when they will be gone. I never would have thought my grandfather would be gone at 80. I saw him less than two weeks ago and he was doing great. I heard a few members in the family saying the were feeling guilty they did not spend more time with my grandfather, or had a better relationship with him while he was around. I don't have any regrets thankfully, I am at peace with this. I was able to learn a lot, laugh alot and have my grandfather as a sole male role model growing up. He was the sole reason I never got in trouble growing up also! He had hands like cement, I was threatened by my mother to stay out of trouble or he would be the one to smack me. Well that worked!

Everyone has a busy life from what I see, but time with loved ones should always be a priority in life. Set time aside so you don't have these feelings ever if this time comes for any of you.

Rest in peace dad.
I love you.
Basil Morris Leslie ( AKA: Jack )
1925-2006

[a13x]

I'm really sorry to hear that man..

I lost my grandfather in August.. he too was like a second father to me. It hurts.

At least they both lived full, long lives, and aren't suffering anymore, for that we can be glad.

Head up and thoughts for your grandmother (I know it's tough for mine..)

[daviid]

sorry to hear for your loss

[Punjistick]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. You couldn't be more right about making the most out of the time we have with loved ones.

[OreoGitorio]

Mike, bro.... I'm so sorry Can't say I know exactly how you feel but I lost my grandfather late this past Fall as well & it's still fresh in my memory.

I'm hopin to go for a ride either tomorrow or Sunday... It may not be what you're lookin for but if you're up for it gimme a ring, I'd be more than happy to go for a spin w/ ya & grab a bite to eat.

Keepin you & your family in my thoughts

-Pete

[trackdog]

My condolences to you and yours, Mike.

Gimme a call if you need help with anything, or if you just wanna go for beer.

[GMAN226]

Thoughts are with you Mike

[tls25rs]

Mike,

My condolences to you and your family on the loss you have suffered.

Joel

[Rye]

Mike...I'm really sorry to hear this...very sad. As hard as it can be, think of him not in his final moments but during those times he was with family or doing what he loved. Stay strong for your mom and grandmother. RIP, Jack.

[RSVMILLE661]

Mike,

So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If there is anything I can do please let me know.

[mikeb]

the lost of a loved one is never easy. i lost both my grandmothers in last than a month last year. i was watching a tv show last week that reminded me of both of them and started crying my ass off. it will take time to grieve. sounds like your grandfather had a great life and good family thats all we can hope to have. my thoughts and prayers to your grandmom.

[Rice-rocket1]

R.I.P.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family....

[Jaynnus]

Hardest week of you life sounds like an understatement...I am so sorry to hear that you and your family are going through this. I send my best to all of you.

If you need anything, or just want to get away for a beer, give me a call.

RIP Dad

[chr|s sedition]

Originally posted by Half Squid
I was able to learn a lot, laugh alot and have my grandfather as a sole male role model growing up. He was the sole reason I never got in trouble growing up also! He had hands like cement, I was threatened by my mother to stay out of trouble or he would be the one to smack me. Well that worked!

My thoughts are with you, Mike. Death is always hard to deal with becuase it rips a hole in an intricatlly woven web of meaning we have in our lives, and gets right to the core of how we relate to the world, other people, and ourselves. But when we have formed solid relationships with those who pass, parts of that meaning will always transcend death. Your comment above is evidence of that. Despite that your grandfather is no longer here, the effects he had on your life, and the meaning he gave to you, will live forever. As he helped make you into the person you are today, he will be always be with you.

godspeed.

-sedition

[need4speed]

Mike,

So to hear about your loss. They say that time heals the hurt and it does. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, make time to be with your grandmother as she will need it.

[Sidewinder]

mike I'm very sorry to hear your loss, I to went through lossing my grandmother at a young age It was very tough toover come...with time you will heal just enjoy all your fond memories that is the only way your grandfather would want it.

Rest in peace.

[MissTwisties]

I know how to well how you feel right now....lost both my grand-mas and they were the people I was the closest too in my family (closer to them than I was to my own parents). You will cherish all the good memories of him, always. He's in a good place now, after making a good life here on earth, he will have another one up there, and someday you'll get to meet again.

Condoleances to you and your family...

[Nikon]

Sorry Mikey. Keep you head high. Sounds like an incredible man.

[patricia929]

i'm so sorry to hear of your loss. my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. it sounds like you had a great relationship with him and i'm sure he was very proud of you.

i can understand your feelings. my brother died unexpectedly a few weeks ago. he was 58 years old - way too young. i feel like there is a huge void in my life now and right now i can't imagine that the pain will ever go away. i'm not sure that it ever completely goes away but i do hope that it will get easier with time. i hope you can heal as well.

-patricia

[Half Squid]

Thank you all for all your thoughts and prayers.

My Grandmother is doing very good health wise right now. She passed her stress test and some other test where they run dye through your blood stream to check the blood flow to make sure there are no major blockages. She passed both tests and was released early today.

I myself am actually doing well. I am at peace with our families loss, After seeing him in the condition he was in. He is no longer suffering.
He very much had a long, wonderfull, and successfull life. I am almost certain he did everything he wanted to do in his life. That alone is a achievement not all accomplish.

[R-S-V]

Mike,

Thanks for taking the time to share this expirience with us. I am deeply sorry about your loss. Remember to take good care of yourself in these tough times. I wish your grandmother a quick recovery.

[Hardcore]

So sorry Mike, I feel for ya man!
I lost my Grandad a few years back much in the same way. We were real close! + man it hurt!
I lost my grandmother + other grandfather a few years prior to cancer after a short period of suffering + it hurt just as bad!
I was closer to all my grandparents than to my parents!
I spend a lot of time now with my only remaining Nana + I dread + can't even amagine the day she passes!
Enjoy who you have left, stay strong, + remember the ones you,ve lost !

Chad

[suppoz]

That was a very moving read... My thoughts are with you.

Remember to smile, and smile when you remember..

j

[Nazo]

Sorry to hear of your loss Mike. My grandparents were in poor health for the last 2 years of their life, and I chose to move in with them. I'm so glad I had all the extra time with them as they were a major part of my whole life.
Sounds like your grandfather was a great man, may he rest in peace.

[Ecooke21]

Sorry Mike..He is in a better place now..