My Grandpa passed the day before yesterday.

My grandpa had a stroke this monday. It left him in a non drug enduced coma. All of my family members were in and out of the hospital for the past few days. It was very unexpected, we all thought he was very healthy. The options werent too good for him or for us. The second day his brain scan was worse. Basically waht it came down to was that he had lost the oxygen to his brain, he had damage to his brain stem and he wasnt breathing on his own very well, if at all. The family had to make a decision wether to continue aggresive (aggressive) medical techniques to keep him alive or to let nature take its course. My grandpa was a stuborn one and definately would of never wanted to be hooked up to any machines, let alone make it through just to sit around as avegestable for the rest of his depressing days. His children and wife decided to let nature have its way. Its been very hard to deal with, I was very close to him and he was a very good grandfather to all of his grandchildren. We all gathered in the room, put on a very intense emotional irish song, let it play and toasted his life with irish whiskey. Then again one by one said our last goodbyes. It was extremely emotional. Most of the family left to wait in the waiting room. For some reason I stayed in the hall looking at my grandpa who was facing me, eyes closed. There were a few still in the room who wanted to stay for the whole thing. It was horrible when they took out the breathing tubes. He was struggling and gasping for air, the rest of his body limp. He had his favorite song playing in the back ground, a very emotional opera kind of song that accompanied his death. It started to snow on a day that seemed impossible for snow. I left briefly and missed his actual passing but for some reason something pulled me back into the hall to face his pale, lifeless body. A rainbow appeared just outside his window, and everyone who came out of the room kept saying how peaceful it was. I stared at his body from out in the hall, him facing me, for 5 minutes. After a while for some reason I went into the room and held his hand for a brief second. I lingured in there staring at him and finally broke down severely, the hardest breakdown i had for the whole time he was at the hospital. It was very difficult and still is unbeleivable that it has happended. It was just so unexpected. A month and a half ago I had an uncle pass on the other side of the family and about 3 months ago my great grandmother passed at age 98. I also lost my father 2 days before I had my 14th birthday. We had to make the same decision to let nature take its course, like my grandpa. Anyways, I just descovered this site and have used other forums on here when I ran across this one and figured I would do my grandfather justice and share his story. If you want to comment feel free. Thank you.

[jo929]

My hear goes out to you and your family but i think he would look down and approve of the send off it was his time and you suffer even if you are on machines so i beleive that all of you did the right thing bless all of you i have lost many i only have i brother left now  i enjoyed listening to your version of this because it was interesting and not all maudlin dont think i am hard hearted i am not i listened to you as a person and i felt like it was special                
                      the best to all of you   jo

[TipsyWillis]

Thank you very much for your kindness. I think  I mentioned that we had an early christmas this year so at least I got to hang out with him for a little bit before it ended. Now today I am going to get together with my family for a little dinner, my whole family, aunts, cousins, grandmas. It will be very hard for us all, him me and my uncle were the only males in the family and he was the life force of the family. These get tofethers will never be the same with out him. I am interested and not looking to forward to it but I will be there for my family. We all have to be strong together and it will only bring us all closer together. I miss him more than anything in the world, along with my father.

[jo929]

You are so lucky to have a family to share xmas with so many dont and some that do do not appreciate them you are a lucky girl tell your family merry xmas and that they are lucky to have you     jo

[TipsyWillis]

I am very lucky and I understand and appreciate the strength we all give eachother. I also understand that I am never affraid to tell it how it is and let my emotions show. I dont ever try to hold things in, which is why I understand why you thought a girl might have wrote this. Im not offended, its kinda funny too. I guess most guys dont really like to write either and I put a lot into my writing. Thanks again for the kind words and happy holidays to anyone who might read this.

Cheers

[suzi-q]

I am glad that you shared your story.  As difficult as it is, it is also very peaceful and warming.  Your grandfather must have been a wonderful man to have created such a loving family.  He is truly blessed and I am sure very happy looking down on his accomplishments.  The pain will subside and I can see that wonderful memories will replace them.  God bless all of you.

[jml1986]

Our lives are filled with loss and it looks like you have had many that you have had to deal with. From the way your story sounds, heaven gained an amazing man that day.