My grandfather is dying.

His carotid arteries are blocked - 100% on one side and 90% on the other. He’s been experiencing TIA’s (micro-strokes) over the course of the last few months. He has had a stroke and is having problems moving the right side of his body. He has an inflammation of his bowel.

There is really nothing that can be done - when you’re 90 years old you don’t have many options.

He called me some months ago and talked to Beth - she brought me the phone downstairs at work, told me he was upset and sounded like he needed help with my grandmother.

That’s when it all started.

Since then my grandmother has been moved into a nursing home. My grandfather has been in the hospital, in a nursing home with grandma, and in an independent living facility. And now back in the hospital.

Let me take you through my Wednesday night….

My mother calls at around 5:30 from Kentucky (she was at a seminar) and tells me that Grandpa wasn’t doing well - he was unresponsive and having problems moving she tells me. Dad is already there with his sisters. I tell her that I’ll head in.

I jump in the shower, get dressed and leave the house within 15 minutes. I arrive to join my father and his sisters just in time to see a doctor working with him.

“Frank, can you move your right hand for me?”

He raises his left hand.

“Frank, can you move your right foot for me?”

He moves his left foot. He’s had a stroke, and the doctor goes on to explain what this means to my father and my aunts. Shannon calls on the phone, but Michelle tells her to call back. I stand up against the wall, out of the way. Then the doctor orders a CAT scan of his brain and leaves.

Dad goes down to call Shannon and smoke. Grandpa seems to realize for the first time that I’m there and tries to talk to me. His words are all slurred - which frustrates him to no end - but between myself and Michelle we are able to translate. He’s telling me that he’s hung the flag that Marty - the AMPS researcher - sent me for him. I’ve been emailling with Marty quite a bit lately, and he’s helped me understand what my grandfather did in the Army. I’ve tried to get answers to his questions from Grandfather for him as well - Grandpa likes to talk about his wartime service on the USACS Joseph Henry and the USAMP Absololm A. Baird so that works out well for everyone.