Thursday, February 18, 2010

GrandDad

INFORMATION TO KNOW IF HE NEEDS HELP:
Local OP Office number: 519-668-7191
Wingham Hospital: 519-357-3210
Emergency Address since he has a PO Box: 42409 on C line Turnberry Township
Just wanted the rest of you to know and have this in case YOU are the one for some reason trying to get him help.

I called GrandDad this morning to have the phone pick up, but no response other than the cat howling in the background and the clock ticking. I didn't hear the sound of anything falling, but it was so weird, I wondered if he had fallen when he answered, or was so sick he couldn't talk. The cat howling reminded me of when Mom died and her cats howled-- and I panicked. I kept yelling GrandDad but he didn't answer. My heart was in my stomach and I could barely breathe. It took almost 15 minutes to get the right OP Place to try and get help. During the panicked efforts for help I just stayed on the land line listening and talking to him like he was there in case he was but couldn't talk. I made my 911 calls from my cell phone. Olive didn't answer, Rae didn't answer, and I couldn't find Miriam's telephone number. Finally after 4 transfers I got the right OP office. All of the sudden the land line cut off. Natural instinct I just hurried and called back and this time when it picked up the cat wasn't howling but I could hear the clock ticking. I was really perplexed then...if he was hurt...shouldn't it have rung up BUSY..., and how did he physically pick up the phone..its high on his wall?? I started talking to the cat and it started howling again so I knew the line was live. Then I remembered that he has that service where he can push the button on his wrist and get help...so I am talking to him as if he is there telling him to hold on, that I will get him some help, and if he can, try to push the button. The Officer is sent out. I call Dr. Donald's office, they haven't heard from GrandDad today or recently...Dr. Donald is on vacation.
FINALLY while waiting to hear what the officer finds,Olive answers her phone and says SHE is just back from HER Doctor. Grand Dad called in the middle of the night to say he had to press his button for the ambulance because of his nose bleeds again, but he was suppose to come home and sleep and she was going to spend the afternoon with him. So then I called Wingham Hospital and sure enough, he was there in Intensive Care...but they assured me it is NOT like OUR intensive care...but it is a few steps up in seriousness from a single patient room. They can't get the bleeding to stop so they have given him medicine to hopefully help it clot and have a tube up the other nostril for??? I can't remember. She says they will keep him at least one more day, probably 2...but it should be cleared up by then. She said he is skinny and needs to eat more so they will try to fatten him up as well. Her name is Marilyn and I love her. I asked her if I should get a plane ticket and come now...I told her when I was coming and she said no, to wait. She thinks a few days of tending will have him in perfect shape for his Surprise Party. I had to smile when she said "it's interesting what a little bit of attention and someone else preparing their food can do to heal a body...and a soul." Amen. I am feeling pretty proud of myself that this time I don't think it has to be ME going to try to make it all better. Really. I mean, I WISH it could be me helping him. But HE CHOOSES...and if he is in Canada...it can't be me. I must have that same angel I had yesterday...I REALLY LIKE YOU ANGEL BEING, please stay near by!...and how do you manage a miracle of no guilt for me?? Stay close will you? It is so hard to be old. You can't help but want to kiss and love Marilyn forever for choosing to be a nurse...a SWEET nurse...to be there when there isn't somebody else TO BE THERE. And Olive. Angel Olive. She is on her way to "visit", will spend the night with him the day he comes home. She'll go feed the howling cat on her way home...the cat even SHE doesn't like. I am a blessed woman...and HE is a blessed man...even if we can't always see it.

1 comment:

Kath said...

Thanks for the information and telling us that Angels are near, whether we realize it or not. God is watching, and taking care of him (all of us). Hard to remember that as well. Thanks for the reminder as well. Take Care! God Bless you all!