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May 26, 2004
Of hearts and broken things....
Last August my grandmother had quadruple bypass. The doctor who operated also repaired the valves on the right side of her heart, but didn't repair the left under the assumption that the problems would correct themselves once the other side was fixed.
Since then she has not been recovering well. Her heart has not been pumping well enough to get the "fluids" off of her body. Her potassium levels are very high, her angiogram this morning revealed that the left side of her heart, is basically toast.
Despite this she has opted to have another surgery to try to repair the left side of her heart, the valves. She is considered very high risk.
To top things off, my grandpa has Parkinson's. Just a few weeks ago, the doctor asked my grandmother, "If you need to have surgery again, do you want to do it?" My grandma's reply was, "I have to be here for my husband."
My grandparents are strong people. Bull-headed, even. My grandfather had a fall on Monday night, was running a fever, but refused to be taken to the hospital. Instead he waited until morning to go to his doctor and we found he had a bladder infection. Stubborn as bulls, they are. I love them, deeply. In fact, I live with them.
My own heart is a little broken at the thought that my grandparents are aging rapidly before my eyes. They cared for me often when I was younger and now it is my turn. Funny how the tables turn so quickly. I've been so lucky to have them with me for as long as I have. My grandmother has outlived her own mother, who also died of heart problems, by 20-plus years. I want them for at least 20 more, but I'm beginning to see that it may not happen.
I'm going to milk whatever time I have left with them for all its worth.
Posted by Sarah at May 26, 2004 04:37 PM
Comments
i'm here for ya, sarah, whatever you need. and i'm with you in uber spirit. hang in there kiddo. *hugs*
Posted by: Judy at May 28, 2004 02:38 PM