02 May 2010

perspective, of sorts

last week my granddad was happily pulling up leeks from his garden, whilst my grandma absent mindedly made him cups of tea, forgetting that he's just had one. this week i'm visiting in him in hospital. he's had a stroke.

this is a man who maintains a large vegetable patch and at 85 still drives and is totally independent. i hope i managed to hide my shock and sadness as the porters wheeled him around the corner. but i think he saw it in my eyes. unable to stand without support and encouragement, i helped him get back into bed. just this effort pretty much wiped him out.

he's making good progress though, and gaining more strength and movement daily. it's just that he's the fit one, the one that looked after grandma. it's becoming apparent that her 'forgetfulness' is actually something more serious. without the routine and support from granddad, she no longer knows what to do. sleeping alone for the first time over 60 years. suddenly everything has changed and nothing will be the same again.

last autumn.

13 comments:

jumbly said...

Oh Kate, I am so sorry to read this. Fingers crossed for them both.

ultra collie said...

aye..life can cruel..and as we get older we see it more times
hope you're ok lass

Chris said...

Bugger!

Simon Lewis said...

My best wishes to both of them.

Fiona Rennie said...

Oh Kate, it is so hard to see our loved ones start to fail, but your Grandma and Grandad have been blessed with 60 loving years together, they have been lucky and hopefully they’ll have a bit more time together. It does put into perspective this running malarkey, we do these challenges because we want to, which makes them easy compared to the harsh and unfair challenges that life can imposes.

sbrt said...

Hi kate
Very sad news.

Its easy to forget how lucky we are and that running and racing is just a game.

Best wishes for you and your Grand parents.

trio said...

Just sending hugs x

Julbags said...

Oh Kate, I'm so sorry, I really am. Fingers crossed for them both...my uncle had a stroke two years ago aged 57, he's made a pretty good recovery but I know how damn unfair it is on a strong, independant man.

Beardy said...

Time is a cruel thing for sure - morale and spirit are everything ...I have obviously never met your Grandad but pass on good wishes ...your Gran and his garden need him back !

kate said...

i'm so touched by these comments, thank you all so much.

between us all, we're keeping grandma busy and making visits to granddad. it's early days... sometimes i just wish i we didn't live so far away. but there's enough of us for 'shifts'. i'll be back down in a week or so.

Groover said...

I just got back from a long weekend away (from the internet) and I'm very sorry to catch up on your news, Kate. Hope it's all looking up and a little more positive by now and that your Granddad is on his way to recovery. Best wishes to all of you.

T.C. said...

While this is all a part of life, it is never easy to deal with. How sad for your family, especially your grandmother. Hopefully your grandfather will recover and be able to go home soon.

Small Adventures said...

Kate,I'm just seeing this (been away and caught up in my own woes,shamefully). My best wishes and hopes to you and your Grandparents. This is the first post I read coming back online-REALLY touched my heart,and it goes out to you and they.

Steve