It's April and I Miss My Pop

A new month! April, the month of renewal. March had been a difficult month. First, Kandy's sister had undiagnosed appendicitis and ended up in hospital with massive infection throughout her abdomen and up into her chest. Kandy flew back to Ohio help her mom take care of things. During that week, I played Stay At Home Mom, taking sick leave to do so.

What my crusty and cracked crystal ball didn't tell me is that my 84 year old Pop was going to go into cardiac arrest the next week. Mom had to call 911, and he went straight into ICU from Emergency in the late hours of very stormy and rainy night. When he wasn't expected to make it through the next night, I hopped on a plane and flew out.

When my brother, his wife and I arrived the next day, we were grateful to see that he had improved somewhat. In the mean time, my other brother and his daughter flew in from Florida. He was sent up to a Progressive Care ward, where someone in the family stayed with him 24 hours/day. At times his sense of humor shown through, but he slept most of the time.

The doctors had said there really wasn't any more to be done, that his mitral valve was leaking blood back into the lungs, and they could keep him comfortable. Basically, his heart was worn out. Pop never wanted to go to a convelescent home - ever - so we brought him home that Friday, March 10th. The next day, Saturday, was his best day. Many family members visited, Pop sat up a bit, talked a bit, slept a bit. He joked some with great-grand daughter Ashley.

After that, he pretty much just slept, talking now and then with mom. On March 16th, he passed on quietly with his family around him.

I miss you Pop!