My Grandpa passed this morning.

Last night I was up till at least 3 thinking about my Grandpa. I just knew he was dying...but I didn't know how soon. I almost posted here because it was just so on my mind; but I decided not to. I overslept this morning (so did my daughter thankfully) and woke up to seeing my Dad had called my cell and home phone. You know that is never good. I thought he was going to tell me to come up if I can.

Some of you may remember in April I went up to visit my family and my Grandpa didn't know who I was. I posted because I was upset that I wasn't upset about that somehow. Since then he has just declined. My family has been at his nursing home for every meal to try to feed him and bringing my Gram there (who also has dementia/alzheimer's) to see him. Grandpa had alzheimer's, heart conditions (from a heart attack when I was a kid) and strokes. He was in a wheel chair on thickened liquids; basically just poor poor health. I know he was unhappy and he was tired.

Dad said he hasn't responded to him or known him in about 3 weeks. My cousin goes up every weekend to be there and she has been saying her goodbyes every week. She was supposed to leave for her honeymoon this weekend and her new husband is already in Europe on a business trip.

Grandpa had stopped eating except some of this fortified ice cream stuff now and then. Lost a lot of weight; that sort of thing. So we knew; but we didn't know how long. I don' t know funeral plans but I am starting to pack anyway.

This is just one of those things you know will happen someday....but you never want to face that day. Someday is today.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I still have all my grandparents in my life, but am always so worried that I'll hear bad news. It's so hard to lose a grandparent, and oftentimes the pain is underestimated by friends, coworkers, etc. It was extremely difficult for me losing my great-grandparents, and I know the pain will be multiplied for my beloved grandparents.

May you be at peace and find comfort in your memories of his life.

I am so sorry. It so hard to lose a loved one.

Originally Posted by parsleysage

I'm so sorry to hear this. I still have all my grandparents in my life, but am always so worried that I'll hear bad news. It's so hard to lose a grandparent, and oftentimes the pain is underestimated by friends, coworkers, etc. It was extremely difficult for me losing my great-grandparents, and I know the pain will be multiplied for my beloved grandparents.

May you be at peace and find comfort in your memories of his life.

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Thank you. He is the first Grandparent I have lost. It's been a rough last few years. He and my Grandma on that side have had alzheimer's. My other Gram has severe dementia. (Although now I'm finding out my other Gram may "just" have dementia.)

Originally Posted by mbjerkness

I am so sorry. It so hard to lose a loved one.

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Thank you. I just talked with my cousin (the one who just got married) and it just seems unreal. She is going ahead with her honeymoon plans. I think Grandpa would have wanted that.

I talked with my other Grandpa and that made me feel a bit better. He always understands.

I am so, so sorry for your loss. I went through the same thing with one of my grandmothers, just... watching her slip away. It's really, really tough but it will get better.

I'm sorry to hear this. I lost all my grandparents by the time I was in my early 20's (one of my grandmothers had Alzheimer's as well), and it's very hard. I hope you can take comfort knowing that he is no longer suffering.

So sorry for your loss. My prayers of comfort are with you and your family.

I'm very sorry for your loss. From your description of your grandfather's condition of late, death was probably a release for him, and hopefully that's some consolation.

It doesn't matter how "prepared" you are -- you're never prepared when it happens. Please be gentle with yourself and know that your friends are holding you in tender thought. Peace.

I am so sorry, Maia and I give you kitty and . He will always be watching over you ...........

Originally Posted by jcat

I'm very sorry for your loss. From your description of your grandfather's condition of late, death was probably a release for him, and hopefully that's some consolation.

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Yes I believe it was. I know he was ready and I just the other night told my Dad that it feels selfish to want him to stay like he is.

I'm trying to decide what to do with his Father's Day cards from myself and my daughter. Tressa "colored" inside it. Do I put them in his casket? Save them to reflect on later? I wrote my Grandpa a long note in his this year. Sort of saying my goodbyes and letting him know I love him. My Dad would have read it to him for me.

I'm so sorry for your loss It's so hard.

I lost my maternal grandfather in 2007 sort of unexpectedly. I visited them for a week in June, and when we left, I just had this feeling it'd be the last time I saw him. That September, I got a call he was in the hospital; he slipped into a coma and died two weeks later. I didn't go to NJ to see him in those 2 weeks. I wanted to remember hugging him goodbye and him waving to me from the driveway as my last memory. I have one living grandparent now - my maternal grandmother - who I'm closer to than my mother, and anyone else in my family. I cant imagine losing her. We always joke she will outlive all of us though.
I never knew my paternal grandparents. One died when I was 8, the other when I was 19.

It is so hard to lose a link in your life. A grandparent means so much in so many ways. But as you say, he was tired and unhappy, and now he is at peace. May you and hte family find strength from that.

I am very sorry for your loss.

Originally Posted by rapunzel47

It doesn't matter how "prepared" you are -- you're never prepared when it happens. Please be gentle with yourself and know that your friends are holding you in tender thought. Peace.

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Exactly.

My thoughts are with you, and I am sorry for you and your family's loss

I'm so sorry.

Sorry to hear this Leigh-Ann

I'm so sorry for your loss. From seeing my mother-in-law's struggle with dementia/alzheimers, it is a terrible thing to witness and must be even harder to go through. I think we all know when its "time" and that's why your grandfather stopped eating. Toward the end, my mother in law also stopped eating, as did my mother who died from cancer. The only thing we can hold in our hearts is that now the suffering is over and we will see our loved ones again someday.

I'm so sorry you lost your grandpa. It's very hard to take.

Robin

I'm very sorry. I will say a prayer for you and your family.