Things just get worse

I was told last night by my Aunt Ganda that my grandfather was informed at the hospital yesterday that he needs to start "making arrangements." The doctor told my grandfather, grandmother, and Aunt Ganda that he does not have much longer to live. As to how long they do not know because it is hard to pinpoint a time for people suffering from any type of cardiovascular issues. If he had cancer or something they could pretty much give him a time frame. He was informed that his kidneys are shutting down, two valves in his heart are blocked, his thyroid is not working, and that he is suffering from congestive heart failure. This causes his legs and feet to swell a tremendous amount. They have told my grandmother that they will provide hospice for my grandfather to help her out and to help him out. This is what really makes the facts, facts. When hospice is sent into the picture that is when you know that things are pretty much set in stone. Also, the fact that they told my grandfather this news makes it even more of a fact. They have never said anything to him like this before and the doctor told my grandfather that he wanted to be up front and truthful. He told my grandfather to look at each day as a blessing. My Aunt Ganda is not sure if my grandfather is really taking all of this in since he has the beginning stages of Alzheimers.

But, all I know is is that I really need to start preparing. It is really hard to not cry especially when I am on the phone with him. I want to be strong for him and not show him how upset I really am because then that will only upset him and I want his last weeks, months, days to be enjoyable and not filled with sadness.